[Jularc]

Ok so yesterday I went out to Queens. It was a very nice sunny day in the city so it was perfect for another of my photo tours. I usually go to Jackson Heights alot. I am Colombian, and this neighborhood is full of Colombians. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. A trully melting pot neighborhood. Enjoy my pics! :)


Jackson Heights, Queens

Jackson Heights is a neighborhood in north-western portion of the borough of Queens in New York City, USA. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 3.

Jackson Heights is an urban melting pot with many ethnic populations, but mainly consists of Latin Americans, multi-generational European, and Asian Americans. The Hispanic American population consists of a various mix of Latinos from many Latin American countries, mainly Ecuador, Colombia (67,000 population), Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay.There is also a large population of Europeans of multi-generational Italian, Jewish, Polish, Irish, and Russian descent. The Asian American community includes immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Korea, and the Philippines. Little India is located around the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 74th Street, near Broadway (distinct from Broadway in Manhattan).

Jackson Heights is among the first garden city communities built in the United States, as part of the international Garden City movement at the turn of the last century. There are more private parks (historically called gardens by the residents) within walking distance of each other than in any other city in America. They are tucked in the mid-blocks, mostly hidden from view by the buildings surrounding them. Several approach the size of Gramercy Park in Manhattan, and one is slightly larger. As befits private parks, unless given an invitation, the key to gain entry is to own a co-op around its perimeter. The basis for the private ownership of the parks of Jackson Heights is derived from its founding principle; as a privately-owned little garden city, built largely under the oversight of one person. The private gardens help make the historic part of the neighborhood highly desirable.

The Historic District of Jackson Heights is also the more affluent part of Jackson Heights in it's entirety.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Heights,_Queens


1.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437656.jpg

2.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437688.jpg

3.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437756.jpg

4.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437791.jpg

5.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437818.jpg

6.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437846.jpg

7.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437860.jpg

8.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437862.jpg

9.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437658.jpg

10.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437662.jpg

11.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437666.jpg

12.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437672.jpg

13.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437677.jpg

14.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437675.jpg

15.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437681.jpg

16.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437684.jpg

17.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437691.jpg

18.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437697.jpg

19.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437700.jpg

20.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437704.jpg

21.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437708.jpg

22.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437711.jpg

23.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437714.jpg

24.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437716.jpg

25.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437719.jpg

26.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437723.jpg

27.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437728.jpg

28.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437730.jpg

29.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437732.jpg

30.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437735.jpg

31.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437738.jpg

32.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437740.jpg

33.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437743.jpg

34.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437746.jpg

35.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437748.jpg

36.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437759.jpg

37.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437764.jpg

38.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437767.jpg

39.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437771.jpg

40.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437775.jpg

41.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437778.jpg

42.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437781.jpg

43.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437784.jpg

44.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437786.jpg

45.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437789.jpg

46.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437793.jpg

47.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437796.jpg

48.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437798.jpg

49.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437802.jpg

50.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437803.jpg

51.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437805.jpg

52.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437809.jpg

53.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437811.jpg

54.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437813.jpg

55.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437816.jpg

56.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437820.jpg

57.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437823.jpg

58.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437825.jpg

59.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437828.jpg

60.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437830.jpg

61.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437832.jpg

62.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437835.jpg

63.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437838.jpg

64.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437840.jpg

65.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437844.jpg

66.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437848.jpg

67.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437851.jpg

68.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437853.jpg

69.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437857.jpg

70.
http://www.pbase.com/image/79437855.jpg

[crisp444]

This is probably one of the most diverse areas of NYC. Thanks for the pics Jularc!

[JivecitySTL]

Oh what a fantastic fucking 'hood. There's nothing like a ride on the 7 train through J. Heights on a beautiful day. BRAVO.

[Ex-Ithacan]

Entertaining tour Jularc. I had an aunt who lived in Jackson Heights (many years ago), and I remember visiting her when I was a kid. That was my view of the city (outside of Manhattan), and I use to love walking around the streets with her and enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells of the hood. Thanks so much for bringing some of those memories back.

[Eigenwelt]

I love this neighborhood. It lively, friendly, and constantly surprises. One of my friends lives there and I used to crash at her place all the time. One weird aspect is that due to the large proportion of asian and hispanic immigrants, the general "height" of the sidewalk traffic is unusually low. At 5'10" I practically tower over most of the people walking past me. Seeing me stand across the street in a crowd of people who came up to my shoulder, a friend jokingly referred to me as "gringozilla".

Also... Jularc... in such a wonderful photo tour... how could you possibly not take a photo of the Kike Barber Shop (pronounced kee-kay apparently). The first time I saw it I nearly fell over in shock. It is across 92nd street from the building in photo 23 with the horrible vinyl siding over the brick.

*edit* and one last thing... "You may know him as Joe the Policeman from the Whats Going Down episode of 'That's My Momma', Jackson Heights' own, Randy Watson!"

[Boris]

These were great. Such an urban feel.

[sabino86]

and one last thing... "You may know him as Joe the Policeman from the Whats Going Down episode of 'That's My Momma', Jackson Heights' own, Randy Watson!"

and Coming to America is still hilarious even 19 years later (has it been that long already?) :tup:

[djvandrake]

Wow! Look at all the people. What a bustling place with loads of character. Great thread Jularc. Thanks.

[mrherodotus]

Wonderful pics.

[flar]

Another fine walking tour :tup:

[LMich]

Man, you always know it, but sometimes it takes pictures to realize that even parts of NYC boroughs would make fairly large cities in most parts of the country. I mean, it looks like you could separate Jackson Heights from the borough and stick it Upstate and it would be an impressive city in its own right.

Thanks for the interesting tour.

[STLgasm]

I had the pleasure of exploring this neighborhood last year on my day-long excursion on the 7 train. It blows my mind how incredibly bustling and diverse it is. NYC is so huge and amazing.

[boden]

We lived in Jackson Heights when I was just a kid. The pics jolted my memory!
Excellent thread.

[ThisSideofSteinway]

Damn - now I could go for some Kabab King. Had to go and get me hungry now, didn't ya? ;)

[Jularc]

Hey thanks for the comments guys! :tup:

[Jularc]

Entertaining tour Jularc. I had an aunt who lived in Jackson Heights (many years ago), and I remember visiting her when I was a kid. That was my view of the city (outside of Manhattan), and I use to love walking around the streets with her and enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells of the hood. Thanks so much for bringing some of those memories back.

I bet those memories were really white. ;)

Anyway the cool thing is that there are still white people living in that neighborhood. It is such a mix crowd of race/ethnicities, cultures, languages, and religion. Everyone living the American dream and the NYC experience. :yes:

[Jularc]

I love this neighborhood. It lively, friendly, and constantly surprises. One of my friends lives there and I used to crash at her place all the time. One weird aspect is that due to the large proportion of asian and hispanic immigrants, the general "height" of the sidewalk traffic is unusually low. At 5'10" I practically tower over most of the people walking past me. Seeing me stand across the street in a crowd of people who came up to my shoulder, a friend jokingly referred to me as "gringozilla".

Also... Jularc... in such a wonderful photo tour... how could you possibly not take a photo of the Kike Barber Shop (pronounced kee-kay apparently). The first time I saw it I nearly fell over in shock. It is across 92nd street from the building in photo 23 with the horrible vinyl siding over the brick.

LOL :D Funny story about been so above the crowd. Well I guess I did not notice that Barber Shop. But now that you mention it, I want to really see it. Next time I go there I will look for it. Thanks.

[crisp444]

^^ I actually didn't understand the joke and asked my roommate (who is Jewish) what "kike" means. I had never heard of it. My best friend's nickname is Kike (short for Enrique) so when I saw the sign it made sense to me. Now I know that the word can have a sensitive double meaning in NYC!! lol

[insanenuyawka]

OMG I loooove those old castle like apartment complexes...

[Cambridgite]

That looks like an awesome area! :tup: The only thing that is really an eyesore is that monorail going right over the street. I'd love to go to NYC someday to visit. Anyone know the price of some of those larger, detached homes? It's gotta be killer expensive to live there.

[Derek]

Excellent pics!!:tup:

[ColDayMan]

Nice!

[Kilgore Trout]

really great tour. everytime i see photos of jackson heights i want to go there.

The only thing that is really an eyesore is that monorail going right over the street.

monorail? that's the subway!

[soleri]

Major wow.

I belong to a running group that a fairly large contingent of Asians, particularly Chinese. Guess what language they speak? English. They have to since many don't understand each other's dialect. This is the promise of a cosmopolitan neighborhood. People are different but they have a common language out of necessity. Over time, many of their differences will wash out (that's both a blessing and a tragedy), but to see it in midpoint, as it were, is breathtaking.

At any rate, I'll echo the amazement about NYC having a neighborhood like Jacskon Heights that in itself would be a major draw if it were its own distinct city. Thanks for the pics. Made my day.

[Jularc]

^ I am glad I made your day. :D Thanks for the rest of the comments! Keep them coming! :cheers:

monorail? that's the subway!

Ofcourse. :frog:

[passdoubt]

I love commercial districts under Els. They should bring bus loads of Philadelphians to Jackson Heights on educational field trips to teach them that the "ugly old el tracks" aren't the reason the commercial districts on Market and Frankford went down the tubes.

[Rusty van Reddick]

1. How expensive is housing?

2. This could be many parts of Toronto, aside from more majestic apts in Queens, signage in Spanish, and the sad burglar-proofing. I hate to see bars on windows like you see here.

[Jularc]

:previous:

Actually wikipedia can answer this questions. :)


1. It is actaully affordable compare to other somewhat nicer and fun areas of the city...


Jackson Heights is mainly composed of private homes, co-op buildings, and rentals, with a small number of condominiums. Rentals in the Jackson Heights Historic District range from about the low $1,000s to the high $1,000s depending on size. Co-ops and condos range from $150,000s for studios to $700,000 and up for "classic seven" apartments. Houses range from $550,000 to the low $1,000,000s.


2. Alot of those burglar proof gates and fences might had happened during the crime spike in Jackson Heights...


Jackson Heights has followed the general patterns of New York City when it comes to crime. After spikes in the 1980s into the 1990s, crime has declined significantly. According to New York City CompStat statistics, measured crime has declined more than 70% in the last 13 years (1993 to 2006). As of August 2006, the two-year decline was 11% and the one-year decline was 8%.

The place is so wonderful. It is worth a visit if coming to Queens.

[Wheelingman04]

I am really going to have to visit this area some day.

[Connect]

I love the look and feel of this neighborhood!!!! thanx for the introduction...

[Kilgore Trout]

i felt i should provide a link to kcgridlock's nyc aerial thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=132026) which includes some nice views of jackson heights.

[Evergrey]

another superb installment in the "Walking in NYC" series


I always assumed Queens was largely bland and uninteresting... but these pics prove I was dead wrong. Love the retail.. love the diversity of people and the volume of pedestrian traffic... love those massive old apartment buildings with their architectural details... impressive tour, Jularc!

[Jularc]

Thanks for the rest of the nice comments guys! :tup:

^^ I actually didn't understand the joke and asked my roommate (who is Jewish) what "kike" means. I had never heard of it. My best friend's nickname is Kike (short for Enrique) so when I saw the sign it made sense to me. Now I know that the word can have a sensitive double meaning in NYC!! lol

:D Ok someone explain it to me today!

[mczamalek]

^Kike pronounced like 'hike' is a derogatory racial epithet for Jew- or at least it was for many years.;)

Nice pics, Jularc.

[Kingofthehill]

Explosive!

[olga]

Great tour, thanks!

[arbeiter]

you've captured one of my favorite hoods in NYC perfectly. It's basically all that's great about Queens - the spacious garden apartments, the happy mix of cultures, the bustling streets, the elevated train and the proximity to midtown.

[OfCourse]

Yet another area I want to visit!