How big is the Asian-American community in the Portland area? (Beaverton: apartments, neighborhood)

[MsHell]

How big is the Asian-American community in the Portland area?
Any Hawaiian (folks from Hawaii, not actually Hawaiian blood) communities?

[jojo4]

I'm from Thailand and here is my impression of the Asian communities.
A lot of Vietnamese American spread out all over Portland metro.
A lot of Chinese people live around 82nd, good Chinese restaurants in that area.
Many Korean restaurants and stores in Beaverton near Uwajimaya.
Many Asians and Indians (works for Intel) lives in the Bethany area north of Beaverton.
Tons of Thai restaurants, but no Thai temple nearby and no events or communities that I am aware of.

There is an weekly Asian newspaper.

There seems to be a lot of Asian looking students at PSU.

Hawaiians? not sure, there are some Hawaiian theme celebrations around town. There are some Hawaiian restaurants. I see a couple of Hawaiians at the Ukulele meetings, but if you're asking about non Native Hawaiians, how do I know they are from the Islands?

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by jojo4

I'm from Thailand and here is my impression of the Asian communities.
A lot of Vietnamese American spread out all over Portland metro.
A lot of Chinese people live around 82nd, good Chinese restaurants in that area.
Many Korean restaurants and stores in Beaverton near Uwajimaya.
Many Asians and Indians (works for Intel) lives in the Bethany area north of Beaverton.
Tons of Thai restaurants, but no Thai temple nearby and no events or communities that I am aware of.

There is an weekly Asian newspaper.

There seems to be a lot of Asian looking students at PSU.

Hawaiians? not sure, there are some Hawaiian theme celebrations around town. There are some Hawaiian restaurants. I see a couple of Hawaiians at the Ukulele meetings, but if you're asking about non Native Hawaiians, how do I know they are from the Islands?

Interesting! Where is 82nd located and Beaverton? Are we talking N, SE, NW Portland? I understand that PSU is located in the heart of downtown in a good community (but expensive) NW area.

Where do you find a Thai community in Portland? Not just a few stores but an actual community in the "city" and not the suburbs.

[jojo4]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

Interesting! Where is 82nd located and Beaverton? Are we talking N, SE, NW Portland? I understand that PSU is located in the heart of downtown in a good community (but expensive) NW area.

Where do you find a Thai community in Portland? Not just a few stores but an actual community in the "city" and not the suburbs.

If you look at a map, 82nd runs along the 205 freeway south of the airport.
Specifically, there are many Chinese restaurants and stores around Powell and 82nd. This is SE of downtown, the so call "new Chinatown" area.

PSU is in the heart of downtown in the SW area. There are many apartments and student housing in that area and it is still cheaper than NW/pearl area.

Beaverton is about 10 miles West of downtown. It is a suburb.

There are no concentrated Thai communities here. I think Thai town in LA is the only place in US that is the kind of community you're talking about.

[nok]

Loads of Thai students at PSU in downtown Portland. I know that a lot of them stay at Love Joy Fountain Apartment (Downtown, near PSU) and get together sometimes for parties.

[Nell Plotts]

Except for foreign students, Asians are disbursed throughout the community. What you are seeing in SE Portland is the remnants of the Vietnamese community that settled there when the emigrated. At that time they didn't speak much (if any) English so it was easier for them, and the social service agencies that served them, to live near one another.

Most descendants of the immigrants from Asia didn't go back to their old neighborhood to live but would return to the restaurants founded by their parents and former neighbors.

[choengpuek]

Originally Posted by jojo4

I'm from Thailand and here is my impression of the Asian communities.
A lot of Vietnamese American spread out all over Portland metro.
A lot of Chinese people live around 82nd, good Chinese restaurants in that area.
Many Korean restaurants and stores in Beaverton near Uwajimaya.
Many Asians and Indians (works for Intel) lives in the Bethany area north of Beaverton.
Tons of Thai restaurants, but no Thai temple nearby and no events or communities that I am aware of.

There is an weekly Asian newspaper.

There seems to be a lot of Asian looking students at PSU.

Hawaiians? not sure, there are some Hawaiian theme celebrations around town. There are some Hawaiian restaurants. I see a couple of Hawaiians at the Ukulele meetings, but if you're asking about non Native Hawaiians, how do I know they are from the Islands?

My wife is from Thailand and we are in the process of teaching our two year old grand daughter to speak Thai. She is doing wonderfully. I would like to find a way to encourage a Thai cultural community where children could get together and maintain language and cultural skills. Also it is nice to form friendships with other families that have a Thai background. Any ideas on how this might be accomplished?

[figmalt]

Originally Posted by choengpuek

Any ideas on how this might be accomplished?

You might contact PSU's IELP (Intensive English Language Program). They act sort of as a liaison for the international students (many of whom are Asian), planning events, creating ties in the community, etc. They might have some resources, or try the Office of International Affairs.

[khyron]

Did I read something somewhere about Uwajimaya possibly anchoring a section of new development in Old Town / Chinatown, right in the city? That would be awesome, like their big urban store in Seattle.

I'll dig around and try to find where I think I remember seeing mention of that, not sure if it was just a proposed kind of thing or what...