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.

33

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

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.

39

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

14

Shellsbells821 t1_j60ftco wrote

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

−22

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).

7

MochaUnicorn369 t1_j60n1s5 wrote

Replying to messerdouglas (#1,514,669)

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.

9

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.

24

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!

14

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

3

messerdouglas OP t1_j623awy wrote

Replying to memsies (#1,515,123)

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?

3

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+

1

memsies t1_j62adjm wrote

Replying to messerdouglas (#1,521,632)

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

6

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 😂

4

OldHagFashion t1_j63d72b wrote

Replying to memsies (#1,515,123)

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.

5