Hello friends. I live in Kansas city. I have the feeling that people here are not very friendly, when they see that somebody is an immigrant. When they hear my accent they look at me strangely. I have also a few job interviews and have the feeling that they are not very prone to hire people from other countries. Is the situation the same in the biggest US cities? Are people there more tolerant? Or I just have the wrong feeling?

in my experience, yes, people in bigger cities are generally more open-minded about these things...i live in new york city and people here would never even notice your accent, because everyone here has an accent

Small town folks do tend to be a bit more "cautious" I guess is the word when it comes to immigrants or anyone different from them. But Kansas City is not that small, I don't think. Denver is not that small of a town either but there isn't a lot of diversity here and so you have to warm up to them so they can see beyond the culture and the accent.

Don't let it bother you, it's their loss and it's all out of ignorance. More power to you.

Diana

People look at me strangely when I first start speaking. I've decided that is because they assume I am American and when they hear a British accent they were not expecting it and it throws them and they miss the start of what I was saying. The strange look is because they are trying to work out what I'm talking about.

It seems everyone in urban FL is from somewhere else (either another state or country)...no one seems to take any notice...in the more rural areas, not the case, though...

We live in a college town, so there are quite a few weird accents around these parts as the colleges and universities have long drawn students and faculty from abroad. I think if you end up somewhere fairly cosmopolitan you just don't face the same problems. Quite a few of my schoolteachers were from "somewhere else" so we got used to it from a very young age.

I think that we have to consider a relocation to the bigger place. I have the feeling that most of the people here are hostile to the immigrants.
Diana, maybe people in Denver are different because it is a tourist destination.

Larger cities (like New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, LA) tend to have large immigrant groups. So the attitude is more open and accepting towards immigrants. Smaller cities, especially in the HEARTLAND and the SOUTH may be reserved towards immigrants.

I live in Southern Cali...I think people generally treat immigrants well here

Kansas City is a small big city. A lot of people here have lived here all their lives (me included). I have to admit, there are probably a lot of people who are "rednecks" and not very accepting of "new" or "different" people at first. I think in general though, once people here warm up to someone they can be very hospitable. Missouri is known as the "Show-me state". I think the general attitude that people have is "show me you belong...once you do, you're like family".

Of course, there are a lot of people in KC (me included) who love diversity and would be more than happy to work with and be friends with immigrants. If you really want to stay in KC, you can make it work. There are plenty of good people here.

Thanks for replies to everybody. Maybe it is better for immigrants to live at the biggest cities where there are more foreigners.
Erika's husband, yes, I am sure that there are wonderful people here. The city is beautiful also. I like the Plaza very much. It recalls me for Europe. But when you are with positive attitude to someone, and he looks at you hostile, it is difficult. When I am outside at play yard with my daughter, very often, other mothers move away their children from mine, when they hear my accent. I don't like this. Moreover, my child is clean always, vaccinated and thanks God she is healthy. I think that it is not good for her to stay at such a place. I don't want she to be discriminated and feel bad.
There are some other offending things here also, but I prefer not to write about them.
I am not against people here. It is their right and they are free to behave in this way. It is my problem. Hope that I don't offend anybody with this topic.

That's for sure. Very few people are actually from central Florida (it seems).

Unfortunately I dont think this is peculiar to the US - you can strike this small minded attitude anywhere. I will be settling into Western Kansas which is definately redneck central. Funny thing is, being Australian, people like my accent, so I get accepted pretty easy. I guess there is a lesson in there somewhere. Trouble is, the people who need to learn it, probably never will

Glen&Teresa, what do you mean with the last two sentences? Sorry, but I can't understand.
I agree that someone can encounter this attitude anywhere. It is problem when most of the people have this views.

I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming and find everyone here really nice and welcoming. Because I'm from Yorkshire I have to speak slowly and clearly, but my accent isn't really anywhere near as strong as my family for some reason so it's OK although sometimes you can see people do a double take when a totally different voice to what people were expecting comes out of my mouth.

I've had a few experiences of waitresses in diners coming to take my order and then running off and getting their friends to come over and hear me speak as they've never heard an English person "in the flesh' before! Cheyenne people, and small town people in the west in general from my experience are very welcoming and friendly. Before finally moving here I'd done countless road trips and my last one took in 15 western states and 6000 miles and I found everyone I encountered to be lovely, other than a few nights in San Fran and Las Vegas, pretty much everywhere I stayed was a very small town.

I love it here in Wyoming, other than the weird weather, (80 degrees one day then two foot of snow the next!), and the high altitude which sometimes makes me feel as if I'm dieing when I've been running! It's a beautiful place and I'm with my true love too and my two little girls which makes it perfect.

Didn't offend me one bit. I know how people can be here. You have to do what makes you and your family happy. I wish you all the best if you move elsewhere. But if you stay here in KC, hopefully our families can meet up some time!

Western Kansas? I've heard there's not much to do out there. At least it's not overrun by hillbillies like southern missouri is though!

Very well said!
To the OP... Give it more time! There is no perfect place to live. Try to get out and meet those neighbors and teach them about your Culture and especially the foods that you eat.... Women always want to learn new Recipes.... Keep your head up and you will be okay! Good Luck to you!!!

Lets put it this way - There is a wonderful lady I have not seen since 1.47pm November 2nd 2006 - waiting for me in Western Kansas. I will let your imagination fill in the gaps as to what there is to do out there

What I meant is the world is a giant enchanting place. I love encountering people from countries I have never been too. I learn amazing things, encounter different cultures, and find food I would never have thought could exist.

People with closed minds who shun away from these people, make their own life poorer. Often such people are so blinded by their attitudes they never appreciate what they could be missing. I hope that explains better - If not, please let me know

We live in St. Louis, Missouri. Another big little town. Andre's had nothing but positive experiences and great opportunities come his way. St. Louis is a melting pot of different cultures.

You are talking about having been in KC, what? 6 or 7 months. Perhaps you are being a little hasty in your thinking.

Jofmo's girl, yes I have been here for 6 months. I agree, this is a very short period about making generalization. In fact, the idea of moving is not mine, but of my husband. He has been in KC for 5 years. He likes this city but we have some bad experience here. I wrote about it in my previous posting. He thinks that we will feel better in a place with more diversity. He has lived in a bigger city and tell me that the attitude toward foreigners is different. Actually, I am afraid that we can encounter this attitude everywhere. I am not very sure that moving is a decision. That's why I wrote this topic.
My husband has already made the decision. I don't mind it, because a have nothing to lose here. No friends, no relatives, no job. The only unpleasant issue is that I have to pack my luggage again
Erika's husband, dannyrmartin1, thank you very much about the wishes. I wish your families many love and happiness too.
Erika's husband, our families can meet up sometime in the summer. We can not leave KC immediately. First, we have to sell our house here. Having in mind that the housing market is not thriving, maybe it will take time. (hope that we will find a buyer quickly )