[ricosroughnecks]

Haha, yeah, it seems surprising at first, but Detroit has a HUGE Mexican and Hispanic population. Also (and due to) we have Mexican Town -- check your English at the door! Whatever you're in the mood for (flautas, tostadas, chorizo), you can find it there.

Note: I've been in Japan for 3 years now, and it's nigh impossible to find decent Mexican/Tex-Mex :-( ...

[stcredzero]

When I was living in Washington State, I was told that there were entire towns of Spanish speakers which were not listed on maps. Social Workers and local/county government people knew where they were, but a mainstream citizen could spend their entire life unaware of their existence. (I heard about them because I did some volunteer work with the county.)

[ricosroughnecks]

Not surprising. I guess it happens everywhere. Out here, you visit some obscure town, and as you get off the train, you realize everyone is speaking Korean or Mandarin. I guess it's a combination of family moving near family, and friends moving near friends (sometimes coupled with political ties -- e.g. the Hmong population in Minnesota). All of a sudden, you have an ethnically homogenous city in a foreign (to them, historically) country.

[stcredzero]

I suspect the Hispanic towns in Washington are also driven by cost of living. As I understand it, they are located out in the middle of nowhere. But my knowledge dates from 1992, so this may no longer be true.