The Great NYC Borscht Boom: How Many Ukrainians Are Making the Big Apple Their New Kyiv?
Ah, New York City. City of dreams, land of opportunity, and lately, a surprising hotbed for pierogi connoisseurs. Ever since the whole kerfuffle in Ukraine kicked off, there's been a buzz around town about just how many Ukrainians have landed in the concrete jungle.
Counting Cats is Easier (But Less Delicious)
Now, getting an exact number is about as easy as finding a decent slice of pizza after 2 am (not impossible, but requires dedication). Some folks say there's around 15,000 Ukrainians who've officially come through the sponsor program, which basically means they got a cool American saying, "Welcome in, comrade!" and a place to crash.
But that's not the whole borscht pot, comrades. There are Ukrainians who might have waltzed in on tourist visas and decided the Statue of Liberty was a bit too welcoming to leave. Plus, let's not forget the ones who showed up with their babushka who happens to be a US citizen (because apparently, babushkas have superpowers, including spontaneous citizenship grants).
The point is: Numbers get fuzzy faster than a tourist on a double-decker bus tour.
So, Basically, a Bunch?
Here's the gist: there are definitely more Ukrainians in NYC than there were last year, and that's a good thing! They bring a vibrant culture, amazing food (seriously, pierogi are life-changing), and an impressive talent for squatting (just kidding... mostly).
The important takeaway: New York City has embraced its new Ukrainian population, and the city's gonna be all the richer for it.
Want More?
If you're curious about where these new New Yorkers are settling in, well, that's a whole other story. Let's just say, there's a reason Little Ukraine in the East Village is about to get a whole lot livelier. And who knows, maybe someday we'll even see a giant neon sign screaming "Welcome to Big Kyiv!"
