Expat and Immigrant Communities in the USA
The United States is a nation of immigrants - about 45 million foreign-born people live here (14% of population). Finding community is usually straightforward.
Major Immigrant Communities
| Origin | Population | Main Concentrations |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 11 million | TX, CA, IL, AZ |
| India | 4.8 million | CA, NJ, TX, NY |
| China | 2.5 million | CA, NY, TX |
| Philippines | 2 million | CA, HI, TX, NV |
| Vietnam | 1.4 million | CA, TX, WA |
| El Salvador | 1.4 million | CA, TX, NY, DC |
| South Korea | 1 million | CA, NY, NJ |
Finding Your Community
In-person:
- Cultural associations and centers
- Religious institutions
- Meetup.com groups
- Professional associations
- Language schools
- Ethnic grocery stores (bulletin boards)
Online:
- Facebook groups (search "[nationality] in [city]")
- Reddit communities (r/immigration, city-specific subs)
- WhatsApp and WeChat groups
- InterNations
- Nextdoor (neighborhood app)
Professional Networking
- LinkedIn (essential in the US)
- Industry-specific meetups
- Professional associations
- Alumni networks (if you attended US school)
- Conferences and events
Cities with Strong Expat Infrastructure
| City | Known For |
|---|---|
| New York | Everything - most international city |
| Los Angeles | Latin American, Asian communities |
| San Francisco | Tech, diverse Asian communities |
| Miami | Latin American hub |
| Houston | Diverse, large immigrant population |
| Chicago | Eastern European, Mexican, Polish |
| Dallas | Growing international community |
Cultural Adjustment
Things that may surprise you:
- Americans are friendly but friendships develop slowly
- Workplace is often separate from social life
- People are busy - plans often made weeks in advance
- Small talk is expected and important
- Tipping culture (15-20% at restaurants)
- Personal space expectations
Building Connections
- Say yes to invitations even if outside comfort zone
- Join activities aligned with hobbies (sports leagues, book clubs)
- Volunteer - great way to meet people with similar values
- Be patient - building real friendships takes 6-12+ months
- Stay connected to home community online while building local network
Pro Tips
- •Join Meetup.com groups in your first week
- •Don't just stick with people from your home country
- •Americans appreciate punctuality - arrive on time
- •LinkedIn is essential for professional networking
- •Volunteer work is great for meeting people and building US experience
Have questions about expat community in United States?