Assalamu alaikum - Best Muslim-friendly areas in the U.S. (my take)

Assalamu alaikum everyone - just wanted to share my thoughts after visiting and living in many major U.S. cities about places that are especially good for Muslims. 1. Texas (Dallas / Houston) Dallas area is impressive. There’s been talk about an Islamic community development that’s gotten media attention, and the Epic Center-one of the largest mosque complexes in the U.S.-is there. You’ll find many respected scholars, lots of halal restaurants, a large Muslim population, and a warm community spirit. 2. DC / Maryland / Virginia I lived in this region for 23 years, and every visit reminds me how strong the Muslim community is there. Plenty of halal eateries, big mosques, and welcoming people. They also host one of the better Ramadan suhoor events in the country - something everyone should try at least once. 3. Southern California (LA / Orange County / San Diego) Great halal food scene here. Mosques tend to be smaller but busy, and the Muslim population is widespread. SoCal doesn’t always come to mind when people think of Muslim hubs, but it really is significant. Plus, the weather is a big draw (though living costs can be high). 4. Chicago I’ve lived here for the last three years and the community is wonderful. Large Muslim population, many halal restaurants, madrasas, and beautiful mosques. Even mainstream downtown places sometimes offer halal options to accommodate Muslim customers. 5. New York City / New Jersey This area has long been one of the largest Muslim populations in the country. It’s still huge and diverse, though in my view some aspects like the consistency of halal food and mosque quality have dipped in places. Still, the sheer number of Muslims and the variety here make it an important region. Hope this helps anyone looking for Muslim-friendly communities in the U.S. - feel free to ask if you want more details about any city. JazākAllāhu khayr.