Mexican neighborhoods in New Haven?

Submitted by messerdouglas t3_10ly8wj in newhaven

Possibly moving to New Haven from SoCal in the near future with my wife who is Mexican. If possible, I want to live in a neighborhood where there are other Mexican families so the move isn't a massive culture shock for her. Neighborhoods that are predominantly Latino would be good to know, but neighborhoods that are specifically Mexican would be great to know (if there are any). Open to other parts of CT that might have a Mexican influence as well (not Hartford). Thanks!

For background, I'm white and grew up in western mass. She is Mexican and grew up in LA. I'm familiar with new haven but never lived there.

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vegetarian_slut t1_j5zql1h wrote

Fair haven

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messerdouglas OP t1_j5zvl7s wrote

Thanks!

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alexg2020 t1_j60k5cw wrote

vouching for Fair Haven 100% (as an Ecuadorian) Has been rough, but grew up in Fair Haven and love it. On the come up for sure.

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newmoon23 t1_j609i5z wrote

Be warned, Fair Haven is not the nicest of neighborhoods.

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beaveristired t1_j60uek7 wrote

It’s nice along the river.

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newmoon23 t1_j60vzg8 wrote

The river is okay, yeah. Just wanted to warn that you need to be selective about which part of fair haven you go to because a lot of it is sketch.

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RedditZhangHao t1_j66rj0y wrote

Similar to many cities and some towns alike, a block, or a few, can make a big difference OP

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skepticalspectral t1_j605pkb wrote

Fair Haven has a more concentrated Latino population (primarily Mexican and Ecuadorian) but many neighborhoods in New Haven are highly diverse with some Mexican population. My Mexican friends and their families have lived in Fair Haven, Wooster Square, Westville, The Hill, City Point, and Beaver Hills.

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skepticalspectral t1_j6060hb wrote

Oh and the majority of Mexicans in New Haven are from a little state called Tlaxcala, culturally very similar to Puebla.

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memsies t1_j60owwy wrote

My bf is Mexican from the Bay. Honestly, he hates most of the Mexican food here. There is some stuff, but I understand that for him it just isn't the same.

It isn't going to be the same as soCal, so keep that in mind when making your decision.

Also I think you are thinking that New Haven is larger than it is. It's a small city and quite small geographically, so you can live somewhere else and visit any of the other areas easily.

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jules13131382 t1_j6183qb wrote

The Mexican food is terrible in CT 😩 I miss Cali but not the homelessness.

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OldHagFashion t1_j63d72b wrote

I’m sure it won’t live up to so cal, but if you guys haven’t tried Tacos Santa Fe, it’s the best Mexican in the area. Little food cart that primarily serves Mexican workers at the docks. Their tlacoyas are heavenly.

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memsies t1_j63ka1b wrote

Oooo will def try! Thanks for the tip!

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messerdouglas OP t1_j623awy wrote

Yeah I'm not expecting much in terms of quality of Mexican food but hoping there are at least some Mexican markets so she can get some ingredients she needs for food at home.

How does your bf like the area overall?

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goetschling t1_j62r7ed wrote

Corner of Lombard and Ferry is a great taqueria. Oyameles with and Mexican market next door

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runkelcorey t1_j63o9g3 wrote

This is def OP best bet. The food trucks along 95 can be a fun way to spend a nice day

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memsies t1_j62adjm wrote

There are lots of markets! I've found they're great for spices and non-perishables, but sometimes the produce can be more difficult to find. There are some panaderias around too. It is really easy to get on the train to NYC, so you guys will have access to good Mexican food, but it just won't be as close as you are used to.

My bf really likes the area. There's stuff he misses about home, and things he really prefers here, such as all of the green trees! There are also a surprising number of people living here from California. He is a graduate student, so we live in an area called East Rock, which is where most of the grad students live. It's a ~5-10 min drive to Fair Haven area

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messerdouglas OP t1_j62bm9y wrote

This is helpful, thanks! I've visited there with my wife and the greenery is definitely something she likes out there. It's so dry in CA but that's what she grew up with.

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[deleted] t1_j607ujp wrote

[deleted]

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messerdouglas OP t1_j60lfjp wrote

Thanks! Which of these two is a better area?

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MochaUnicorn369 t1_j60n1s5 wrote

Definitely Wallingford. Their center of town around N Main St where the restaurants are has some lovely streets with more historic homes. There are also some more suburban areas that IMO are less appealing w split level ranches from the 70’s.

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crymeariver_a t1_j60dd8t wrote

Fair Haven is the neighborhood with the most Latinos. If “sketchy” is any part of your vocabulary then go to Fair Haven Heights instead, it’s a little nicer but still has Latinos although not as many percentage-wise. Edited to say I have lived in both and am fine with both but some people may find fair haven to be too dangerous for their tastes

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Ecofre-33919 t1_j60zz4p wrote

In connecticut you just are not going to find mexican neighborhoods. There are a lot of latino neighborhoods though. This is because for decades we’ve always had the carribian influence. You’ll find that puerto rican and dominican are the biggest latino groups. After that you’ll also influences from mexico, colombia, cuba, ecuador, peru and others. There are some good mexican restaurants and grocery stores to be found. I love taqueria mexico in wallingford!

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6th__extinction t1_j60hkao wrote

City Point and Fair Haven Heights are a tad safer than Fair Haven but similar enough. Some parts of Fair Haven are very nice (along the river).

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shhhhnotsoloud t1_j625upc wrote

Whatever you do, don’t go to East Haven.

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FxTree-CR2 t1_j62ir0l wrote

A lot of the “Mexican” in New Haven is Salvadorian, but yt people usually don’t care to notice the flag on the taco truck ain’t Mexico’s 😂

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Akunhun t1_j612p43 wrote

Check out the fair haven heights, it’s the hills right across the river from fair haven and is a lot nicer but still maintains a big Latino population

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Longhorns_ t1_j627lwq wrote

Is there anywhere to get good Mexican or Tex-Mex in the area? Everything I’ve tried has been total garbage or $30+

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Shellsbells821 t1_j60ftco wrote

New Haven is a sanctuary city. She's be comfortable anywhere.

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