In chapter two of From Ellis Island to JFK, Foner describes where immigrants live.  She described where different groups lived initially and where they moved to.  The earlier immigrants lived in the Lower East Side of Manhattan; however, they started moving from Manhattan to other areas.  Newer immigrants coming in could often support a suburban home life.

Something I found interesting about this chapter is Foner’s description of the old ethnic neighborhoods.  Now, immigrants tend to live less in these types of neighborhoods; however, many of these neighborhoods still exist.  She describes old Little Italy with people speaking Italian, signs in stores advertising in Italian, and newspapers in Italian.  Most people would speak Italian, priests would be Italian, and banks would be Italian.  People living here would hold celebrations for their favorite saints where they would eat typical Italian foods.  Ultimately, they felt more at home because they were surrounded by people with their background.  I found this interesting because as I read it I could picture Little Italy in Manhattan.  It is very similar to this description although it may incorporate some diversity and the English language.  Foner describes other past neighborhoods like this as well including Jewish Brownsville and Chinatown.

I also found the descriptions of more contemporary housing interesting.  More immigrants are able to afford better housing because they came over with some education or were able to get loans.  In the 1980s Foner visited immigrants’ homes that had modern furnishings and appliances and were kept up.  Still, she describes even in that time there were more cramped living styles where someone would rent out rooms or beds in their apartment to help incoming immigrants.  Fortunately, better housing options are available today and neighbors are often helpful, but people still struggle.