In the 1800s, what was the most important motivation for both “old” and “new” immigrants to settle in ethnic neighborhoods?

Immigrants often settled near people who spoke the same language because shared language made daily life easier. Neighbors could help newcomers find work, housing, and services while they adjusted to life in the United States. This common-language support mattered to both “old” and “new” immigrants; proximity to schools or a chance to assimilate was not the main shared motivation.

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