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Hi, my family and I are planning to move to Forest Hills in Queens. I'm not sure what school we'll be zoned for, but it seems like we will likely end up at PS 144. My kids are mixed and I'm hoping we will find some diversity there, or whatever school we end up in. Does anyone have any thoughts on PS 144 in terms of openness and diversity? And are there any streets or areas of Forest Hills that we should avoid? Forest Hills Gardens is obviously beautiful (and beyond our price range) -- it's hard to get a sense of the other neighborhoods. I would love some insight.
Thank you!
Forest Hills is entirely safe, perhaps one of the safest areas in the city. So you have nothing to worry about regardless of where in the neighborhood you settle. But I will say this, the neighborhood is split by Queen Blvd, and the side closer to Forest Hills Gardens and Austin street is much much nicer and has all the good shopping and an overall better vibe. The 108th St side has a lot less going for it and has some really gaudy McMansions.
Forest Hills is a very diverse neighborhood.
The only noticeable separation is between the wealthy and the poor.
So bring your barrel full of money. You and family will be more than fine.
Forest Hills is one of the nicest neighborhoods in perhaps all of New York City. You have nothing to be worried about. Queens in general is full of diversity. Come and enjoy!
Thank you all so much! This is super helpful and encouraging. I was a bit worried because in walking near the PS 144 area, it seemed like the vibe changed in a way I can't quite explain - and since that's the area we will most likely buy in (a.k.a. the area we can afford), I wanted to know if there was anything of note there or any streets that we should steer clear of. But it sounds like there aren't, which is a relief.
Does anyone know how after-school works there? My husband and I both work full-time in Manhattan - do people hire nannies to watch their kids after the school day ends (we would prefer not to), or are there after-school programs on-site at the elementary schools?
I'm sure I will have more questions and I really appreciate all of your help! Oh, and @Mr. Retired, in regards to your comment - we don't have a barrel full of money, but we sure wish we did!
Thank you all so much! This is super helpful and encouraging. I was a bit worried because in walking near the PS 144 area, it seemed like the vibe changed in a way I can't quite explain - and since that's the area we will most likely buy in (a.k.a. the area we can afford), I wanted to know if there was anything of note there or any streets that we should steer clear of. But it sounds like there aren't, which is a relief.
Does anyone know how after-school works there? My husband and I both work full-time in Manhattan - do people hire nannies to watch their kids after the school day ends (we would prefer not to), or are there after-school programs on-site at the elementary schools?
I'm sure I will have more questions and I really appreciate all of your help! Oh, and @Mr. Retired, in regards to your comment - we don't have a barrel full of money, but we sure wish we did!
I'm confused. I went on Google Street Views to look at the area surrounding PS 144, as I'm not familiar with it. All I see are nice houses. What did you see when walking in that area that caused the concern? If you can't explain the "vibe" per se, could you explain exactly what you saw?
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"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
I'm confused. I went on Google Street Views to look at the area surrounding PS 144, as I'm not familiar with it. All I see are nice houses. What did you see when walking in that area that caused the concern? If you can't explain the "vibe" per se, could you explain exactly what you saw?
Thanks for asking. It was hard to explain - I guess I just noticed an increase in homes with bars on windows/doors, and I wasn't sure if that was a relic of the past or if that was representative of an increase in crimes that that particular neighborhood is still struggling with?
Thanks for asking. It was hard to explain - I guess I just noticed an increase in homes with bars on windows/doors, and I wasn't sure if that was a relic of the past or if that was representative of an increase in crimes that that particular neighborhood is still struggling with?
Thanks for explaining. Thats pretty interesting, the "wrought iron bars on the front of the house" theory.
Do you think you would have felt the same way, had you noticed that everybody had an ADT sticker in their front window and a camera on their front porch? Or is it just that the bars make more of a statement? I always felt that they make a house feel more secure.
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"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
Thanks for explaining. Thats pretty interesting, the "wrought iron bars on the front of the house" theory.
Do you think you would have felt the same way, had you noticed that everybody had an ADT sticker in their front window and a camera on their front porch? Or is it just that the bars make more of a statement? I always felt that they make a house feel more secure.
I'm not sure! Either way, we plan to move to exactly this area - right around PS 144 - so clearly, it wasn't enough to deter me in any way. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I was completely missing, and from the helpful responses on this board, I can see there is not. Very glad to know.
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