^^ Great suggestion. Portland is pretty affordable (for the northeast) and the outdoor options in Maine are great. Lots going on there these days. There are a lot of housing options that aren’t in the city proper if that’s not her thing.
I didn’t originally realize that the diversity was for ELL. Yes, lots of recent arrivals as well.
The days are short in the winter and it is often very cold. I realize this may be obvious but worth thinking through. Not for everyone!
There is a website called school spring - https://www.schoolspring.com/ which allows you to search for teaching positions across the country. You can see where there are ELL teaching positions open right now.
Facts about ELL are interesting - for example
“From 2000 to 2014, the growth of the ELL population was greatest in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.”
“The state with the most ELL students is California — which has 29 percent of all ELLs nationwide. Texas has 18 percent, followed by Florida with 5 percent and New York with 4 percent.”
There are big pockets of ELL populations in unexpected places like parts of Maine and Minnesota, and then there are big numbers in the places you would expect like California, Texas, and Florida.
Ann Arbor, Michigan—a college town that attracts students from all over the world with access to great wilderness areas, i.e., the Upper Peninsula of MI. Plus, the city itself has lots of parks and green space. U of M’s North Campus is home to a spectacular arboretum—acres of trees and plants… Also there is a significant Arab population in Ann Arbor and the nearby Detroit metropolitan. One downside—if your D wants to live in a place with a mild climate, Michigan isn’t the place. For a mild climate, I would second the recommendation above for Chapel Hill, another great university town.
I cannot believe people are seriously suggesting any NYC suburb as affordable! (Rents, taxes, entertainment-- $$$$!).
To me, affordable is someplace like Columbia MO, Arkansas, West Virginia etc. (I don’t know those places well enough to recommend them for the OP).
There is some seriously crazy thinking on this thread!
Salaries for teachers make these towns more affordable than you would think. I work with immigrants in my architectural business all the time. They are not rolling in dough and are not paying astronomical rents.
As much as I love an Arbor it’s kinda expensive. Go a city or two over to Chelsea.
Check out Beloit Wisconsin. Amazon distribution center just came there. Very diverse. Small college town. Inexpensive to live but housing prices are starting to climb so good investment now. Especially for singles or new families. Close to rivers and lakes and hiking.
Since we’re in the Midwest. Chicago… Before people chime in not downtown but many surrounding neighborhoods are good places for singles and starting families. Many diverse neighborhoods and good pay for teachers. Even places like Evanston or Oak Park Illinois is just outside the city and diverse areas. Close to Lake Michigan and some of the best park systems anywhere. People jog year round and even on the lake front. Boating, kayaking biking , etc. Vibrant city especially for the 30 year old age group. Great mass transit.
Those of you who think it’s crazy are probably thinking that Scarsdale and Rye are what we’re talking about when we say NYC suburbs.
Lots of income diversity, ELL, and moderate income housing here.
Any number of small cities in Pennsylvania – Lancaster, Reading, York, Allentown, Bethlehem. Even Scranton. Real, increasing diversity, lots of beautiful places to live. Also agree about Pittsburgh. And Philadelphia is much larger, but it has lots of affordable neighborhoods compared to other large cities and a great deal of parkland inside the city limits, some of it groomed but much of it “wild” and great for hiking or trail biking.
Buffalo, NY – once a large city, now a small one, but with the amazing housing stock of the wealthy city it was a century ago. Large urban park designed (like Central Park) by Frederick Law Olmstead, close to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Niagara Gorge (and, of course, Niagara Falls), beautiful hill country south of the city.
Ithaca, NY. College town, breathtaking beauty, Finger Lakes region, PR slogan is “Ithaca is Gorges”.
You should have her do a trip a la “college road trip” - meaning take a week and drive to several locations to check out the vibe in some cities. I know it’s hard to get a true pic in a short time but if you’re picking from a hat, why not?
You could pick a section of the country that she thinks is desirable and road trip. For instance in the midwest(ish), visit Columbus, Pittsburgh, Indy, and Ann Arbor/Detroit and something in the Chicago or Wisconsin area. (Detroit is very diverse and is up and coming and has some great little towns surrounding it)
While Northern California is not exactly low cost, they are in the process of building affordable housing specifically for teachers. Its a great project, but unfortunately will take up to 10 years to finalize. Hopefully other high cost cities will follow this great idea. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/school-board-approves-developing-up-to-550-units-of-affordable-teacher-housing-in-sf/2215966/
Inland from LA is diverse and considerably less expensive than the metro area. Places like Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, etc. Of course, that’s all relative. But it’s close to nature with Mt. Baldy being right there and the beach an easy drive away. Maybe Tucson? I assume she wants to teach English to Spanish speakers. I also like Columbus a lot, and the Minneapolis area.
I think it might be easier to decide what section of the United States she wants to live in first then go visit various areas. But just thinking about it and I was there last year… New Mexico… That should have all what she wants
Does she want to freeze? If not, check out Temecula, CA area (Riverside etc).
I can’t think of a worse place for a young single person starting out than Scranton, York or Allentown, PA.
You can’t beat the outdoors lifestyle in Salt Lake City, and that’s why a lot of people move there. Utah is also very welcoming to immigrants and refugees (after all, the Mormons were all refugees 170 years ago) and so has a strong ELL infrastructure.
I am liking this thread. My daughter graduates this year and wants out of the Midwest and loves to be actively outdoors. Plus we want a decent place to visit that is warmer.
LOL…
Milwaukee (20% Latino within the city limits but very diverse area overall)
https://www.insider.com/milwaukee-best-things-to-do
https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/forbes-lists-milwaukee-as-a-top-2020-travel-destination
https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/about-mke/diversity-and-inclusion/hispanic/
Sacramento area.
Even if she’s been in a warm climate for a few years, if she grew up in NY she can handle the cold. I was also thinking of SLC but wasn’t sure how diverse it is. It’s so easy (once the finish the construction!) to get from the airport to the mountains.
Just because someone can handle the cold doesn’t mean they would want to! Some of these suggestions are a heck of a lot colder than New York City.