How safe is Ozone Park near Woodhaven Ave and Atlantic Ave? (New York: rental, house)

[FreakOfTheWeek]

Hi,
I'm looking at renting a house with my friends and one of the ones we like(on paper, we're gonna go look at it this weekend) is located in Ozone Park near Woodhaven and Atlantic Avenues(specifically 97th St and 95th Ave) and I was wondering how safe the area is?

Is it safe to walk from the train to the house after 11PM or later? Is it safe to park a car on the street in that area?

I've also seen a lot of stories about the JMZ train and how you'll get mugged on the train- I've only been on that train a few times and it seemed safe enough, but is it true that you're really likely to get mugged riding that train?

[DoomDan515]

It's not really that safe over there.

[Coolhand68]

During the day it's not bad, at night it can be sketchy. As far as parking cars goes, all neighborhoods are vulnerable to theft, since most thieves now strip the car of the parts they need rather than try and steal the whole car. So if a shop needs headlights for a 2003 Honda Accord, they find one somewhere and strip it at 3:00AM.

[Jackson Pollock]

It's not that bad, but I'd be careful at night. A cousin of mine got jumped near there while getting off the train. But he wears big, shiny jewelry.

On the positive side of things, you'll be close to a gigantic PathMark. Oh, and you should definitely take the A instead of the J--not because you'll get jumped any less, but because it's express.

[FreakOfTheWeek]

Just checked our prospective rental's feature list and apparently we'd have a private driveway with a 2 car garage so I guess street parking won't be as big of a deal. From scoping the place out on Google Streetview, at least when they took the pictures, the area looks like its fairly well maintained.

I had picked the J train more because it seemed closer on a map, but I guess I should have asked, is it safer to go further north into this area or further south? I know if we go west we hit East New York and I've heard nothing but horror stories about that area but what about going north or south on Ozone Park?

[omigawd]

I lived there many years ago and it was a great area. I went to visit there recently, hoping to find a decent rental there and move back. I can't believe how horrible the neighborhood's become!! I wouldn't live there if the rent was free!! As I was driving on Atlantic Ave, Liberty Ave, Jamaica Ave, I was hoping the neighborhood would get better as I drove along, but it only got worse. The entire area turned froma nice, middle class area to practically a ghetto.

I wouldn't live there.

[Jackson Pollock]

Originally Posted by FreakOfTheWeek

Just checked our prospective rental's feature list and apparently we'd have a private driveway with a 2 car garage so I guess street parking won't be as big of a deal. From scoping the place out on Google Streetview, at least when they took the pictures, the area looks like its fairly well maintained.

I had picked the J train more because it seemed closer on a map, but I guess I should have asked, is it safer to go further north into this area or further south? I know if we go west we hit East New York and I've heard nothing but horror stories about that area but what about going north or south on Ozone Park?

You're about equidistant from both. The J stinks, trust me.

It's not that bad an area. You're close to the shopping area along 101st Avenue, which is convenient if you don't have a car. It has Italian delis, pizzerias, butchers, cafes--and banks, grocery stores, and doctors offices (not to mention John Gotti's old hang out, now long gone...). There's a great Dominican restaurant on 101st between 97 and 98 called El Viejo Yayo. It's very nice on the inside. I was shocked, in fact. Try the Cuban sandwich and moro.

That said, there are nicer areas nearby: Kew Gardens (don't think about living there if you have a car, though) and parts of Richmond Hill.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by omigawd

I lived there many years ago and it was a great area. I went to visit there recently, hoping to find a decent rental there and move back. I can't believe how horrible the neighborhood's become!! I wouldn't live there if the rent was free!! As I was driving on Atlantic Ave, Liberty Ave, Jamaica Ave, I was hoping the neighborhood would get better as I drove along, but it only got worse. The entire area turned froma nice, middle class area to practically a ghetto.

I wouldn't live there.

really? i think to call that part of queens a ghetto is a huge exaggeration...come to far rockaway or south side jamaica and you'll see real ghetto. nothing around ozone park comes close...ozone park doesnt even have any public housing for crying out loud.

[analyticalkeys]

I don't know about that particular area, but the J/Z train is really bad further down in Woodhaven near 75th Elderts.. right next to one of the worst high schools in Queens..

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

I don't know about that particular area, but the J/Z train is really bad further down in Woodhaven near 75th Elderts.. right next to one of the worst high schools in Queens..

do you mean riding the train, or the neighborhood surrounding it?