Latinos and Charlotte suburbs

I've done work that includes discussion about how the Latino population in southern cities (focusing on Charlotte) is moving directly to the suburbs, which are closer to where the jobs are. There are also many anecdotal indicators, especially at supermarkets, which have expanded Mexican food sections and advertisements at the door for wiring money.

It became even more apparent when a few days ago I found a bilingual flier on the door of my house.



Typically, Latinos in Charlotte live in apartments, of which there are many in University City (where I live--since it obviously encompasses the university, I assume we have more apartments per capita than elsewhere, but I do not know that for certain). Without reading too much into one ad, it seems Western Union believes more Spanish-speakers are living in homes (whether owned or rented). Indeed, in Charlotte the number of Latinos who own versus rent is increasing every year.

But it also demonstrates that companies like Western Union are hurting from the leveling off of remittances, caused in large part by the economic slowdown, but also by more enforcement. They need to drum up more business, and so are expanding their advertising campaign. Most remittance research has been done on the effects they have on the country to which they're being sent, but it would be interesting also to consider how U.S. businesses have begun to rely on the fees they charge. The remittance slowdown ripples out everywhere.