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Little Italy/Chinatown



  

History


While each city holds a very different culture, both Little Italy and Chinatown came into existence for the same reason: a mass immigration of individuals from a particular country came to New York. Chinatown and Little Italy have a unique history that deserves to be appreciated.

During the mid-eighteenth century, Chinese traders and sailors began immigrating to the United States. In the mid-nineteenth century, this number grew larger after the Chinese were lured with stories of the California Gold Rush. Due to plentiful job opportunities in the east within factories, the Chinese began migrating to New York and New Jersey. Racial discrimination meant that the Chinese fought to stay safe in large numbers. Thus, Chinatown became a self-supporting environment for Chinese immigrants. In 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was lifted and allowed more Chinese immigrants to live in Chinatown. Now, Chinatown continues to grow at a rapid pace and is home to a majority of Chinese New Yorkers.

Little Italy also experienced a rapid growth in its population during the mid-eighteenth century. During this time, about 69,000 Italians moved to New York. In 1920, there were about 400,000 Italians living in the city. Western Sicily Italians moved to Elizabeth Street, while Northern Italians moved to Bleeker Street. Today, only a few thousand original Italian-Americans call Little Italy home.

Description


Little Italy extends to the south of Bayard Street. It reaches north to Bleecker. The neighborhood has been overtaken by Chinatown. Now, only a single street encompasses the old world charm of Little Italy, along with touristy Italian restaurants. On the other hand, Chinatown continues to rapidly grow. Chinatown offers an interesting mix of affordable housing and a new outburst of luxury apartment rentals. There is no "official" boundary for Chinatown. However, most people believe its boundaries run from the Bowery to Lafayette Street and Houston Street to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Residents


More than 200,000 people live in Chinatown. A majority of the residents in Chinatown are immigrants from China. Hard working individuals, many of these immigrants choose to open up restaurants with authentic Thai, Chinese, or Japanese food, along with jewelry, fashion, and handbag stores. The majority of Chinese adults do not hold a high school diploma, yet younger generations are increasingly becoming college-educated.

Rental Housing


Many Chinatown residents are dependent on rentals, thus, there is no shortage of rental properties in Chinatown. Rentals often pay for the entire salary of a Chinese household in Chinatown. Safety in Chinatown is a concern of many residents and visitors, so beware of the area in which you are considering a rental. One bedroom rentals can be very affordable, starting at $1,200 per month. However, one should be sure to rent through an established rental agency if renting in Chinatown. Be sure that you are entering into a legitimate contract agreement if renting in Chinatown.

Fun Stuff to Do


Chinatown is a great place to visit during the daytime. It is notorious for its fashion stores, and renowned for some of its restaurants. A vibrant art scene has also been developed in Chinatown, making it a great place for creative types.