When I came to Canada some 10yrs back there were hardly any *good* desi restaurants here.
Now in GTA the amount of "desi-ness" is amazing. We have many desi restaurants (many of which are quite good), we have Hindi movies playing in main-stream halls, we have lots of Desi shows and also desi programs on TV. We have like 5 desi radio stations (though crap) and lots of desi grocery stores. Plus all the temples, desi papers etc. Not to forget Hockey in Punjabi .
I was just wondering if there is any place in the USA that is comparable in terms of the desi-ness factor to the GTA. I know Silicon valley area would be comparable or better, but apart from that??
The past 10 years, Shrek imagine 20 or 30 years ago, not much at all, I'm not sure how our parents made Indian food back then without any real Indian stores close by.
The other cities in the US that I have seen which have a pretty "desi" include:
-Houston TX
-Chicago IL
-Edison NJ
-New York NY
-Sacramento CA
Cities like Detroit, Los Angeles and Philly have desi's as well, but not as much of a presence as in the cities listed above.
but even the above cities I think dont come close to GTA .. apart from maybe sacramento. Thats what I think.
Edison might not have many desi news papers but it sure has tonnes and tonnes of desi restaurants and grocery shops. It has got a li'l Indian bazaar going on just like Gearad on Oak Tree street.
Still, Toronto probably has the biggest(SF has about 450-500k as per last census numbers which is at least 2-3 years old) Indian population.
but even the above cities I think dont come close to GTA .. apart from maybe sacramento. Thats what I think.
I have to correct you on this one Shreky, Houston has a HUGE desi community is comparable to T.O in a lot of ways (with exception only to the desi party scene, which in a word is sad). Hillcroft is the Gerrard St of Houston, and Sweetwater is Houston's answer to Mississauga for a section full of Desi people.
Chicago has a very vibrant desi culture and scene as well, full of excellent desi restaurants and cultural events. I have been there for a few weddings recently, and they had every amenity that we have here. Check out Devon Ave. if you want your Gerrard St type fix.
New York (specifically Manhattan) has a section called Murray Hill (around Lexington) which is a super concentrated Desi section, they have some really good Indian restaurants, and Desi shops. Twenty/thirty something desi's tend to live around here and socialize around the local bar/lounges/restaurants at night. These are usually the white collar desi's from what I have seen, as opposed to lets say Jackson Heights in Queens or Oak Tree Road in Edison NJ.
The other cities in the US that I have seen which have a pretty "desi" include:
-Houston TX
Quote:
Originally Posted by slickerthanyomomma
Dallas and Houston have a ridiculous amount of desis.
Quote:
Originally Posted by logik001
I have to correct you on this one Shreky, Houston has a HUGE desi community is comparable to T.O in a lot of ways (with exception only to the desi party scene, which in a word is sad). Hillcroft is the Gerrard St of Houston, and Sweetwater is Houston's answer to Mississauga for a section full of Desi people..
I am assuming by Desi you mean South Asian and not indian. If that's the case, houston has definitely more brownies. I've noticed they have a super high concentration of educated brownies, since the oil and medicine sectors are based out of there. It's cheap to live there. It isn't ball cold. Cheap gas. Its got a beach.
AliG .. exactly. This is a thread in disguise to know what possible options I have in USA :P if and when I decide to move.
If you are in the engineering field or medical field, you are guaranteed a 60k job in houston.
Also, women will flock to where ever the man gets settled. Ain't no worries there. Although there are many cuties in houston.
But the thing I admire the most about that city is that the stereotypical desi garbage isn't as visible as say in toronto, nyc or chicago. for e.g cab drivers.
When I came to Canada some 10yrs back there were hardly any *good* desi restaurants here.
Now in GTA the amount of "desi-ness" is amazing. We have many desi restaurants (many of which are quite good), we have Hindi movies playing in main-stream halls, we have lots of Desi shows and also desi programs on TV. We have like 5 desi radio stations (though crap) and lots of desi grocery stores. Plus all the temples, desi papers etc. Not to forget Hockey in Punjabi .
I was just wondering if there is any place in the USA that is comparable in terms of the desi-ness factor to the GTA. I know Silicon valley area would be comparable or better, but apart from that??
just curious
What your seeing is failure of multiculturalism...and the rise of the surburban ghettos!