Many people who immigrated to the United States during the Gilded Age moved to the coasts of the United States. It really depended on where you were from, so if you were of European origin, you most likely migrated to the eastern coast, but if you were of Chinese origin, you most likely migrated to the western coasts. It was just based on what was the closest shore by boat.
In the early 19th century the owners of sugar plantations faced a huge problem. This was witnessed by water shortage as well as lack of labor.
