Jamaican in Queens (Crown Heights, Springfield, Laurel: to rent, houses, neighborhoods)

[mellat]

I've visited NYC numerous times over the past 6 years. I know the city as well as London where I lived for 2 years. I've been to all the boroughs except SI. My question is, where would you recommend a young (24), educated, Jamaican woman to live. I don't want to get into the traditional Caribbean neighburhoods like Laurelton, Cambria Heights etc. They're too far from The City and while I like them, I'd see myself there in 10 years, not now. I'm thinking more along the lines of Astoria, Jackson Heights etc. I don't want to rent for more than 3 years. I'd love to live somewhere close enough to Manhattan where there are at least a couple good Caribbean restaurants and good mix of people.

I check Craigslist often so I'm aware of the going rate for a room but I can't figure out which neighborhood would be best for someone like me.

I'm not the typical Jamaican. I like ALL kinds of music and I appreciate architecture. I've ruled out Brooklyn because the neighborhoods don't appeal to me much (except maybe Prospect Heights). Park Slope is nice but the extreme yuppiness would get tiring. As would the racial tension in Crown Heights and the "hoodness" of Bed-Stuy.


HELP!!!!

[Envy]

I don't live in Queens but my dad does. and I visit him all the time.

I reccommend Springfield Gardens and Queens Villiage. and we are jamaicans by the way. Those areas are really nice, and quiet.

[mellat]

I did state that I didn't want to go to that side of Queens because it's too far from the city. Thanks anyway.

[Envy]

oops sorry. How about Hillside?

[mellat]

Ehhh Hillside is ok but it's a bit far in for me. Being able to get Caribbean food is a big plus which why I think I might end up in Prospect Heights or somewhere in Brooklyn rather than Queens. I like the areas you mentioned but they're just too far from all the action. I have a friend in Cambria Heights and it takes her at least an hour to get home from Midtown. I would definitely buy a family house in that part of Queens though.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Envy

I don't live in Queens but my dad does. and I visit him all the time.

I reccommend Springfield Gardens and Queens Villiage. and we are jamaicans by the way. Those areas are really nice, and quiet.

I had a girlfriend who lived in Springfield Gardens a few years back. It was relatively quiet, but it was a little ghetto. She would tell me herself some of the people in the neighborhood were a bit on the ghetto side. There always used to be like house parties or people hanging outside of houses late at night.

[mellat]

Yeah it can be depending on what street you're on. I spent some time on 135th (not sure if it's Rd or St) just across from the Pathmark. It wasn't the quietest part of S.G. but I know of nicer streets. That side of Queens just isn't in my plan for now anyway.