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Hi, I am new to this board and was wondering if Jamaica in Queens is an ok place to live. I will be attending St. Johns University next semester and I'd like to live as close as possible to school. I am not from New York and know nothing about this neighborhood. Can anyone tell me what the rents, culture, people, architecture etc. is like?
Well Jamaica Estates is beautiful if you can afford it. The area around the DMV and LIRR is not very good. Are you driving or using public transportation? If driving I'd opt for Glen Oaks or Bayside if you like quiet neighborhoods. Otherwise check out Kew Gardens.
If you're going to St.Johns there are plenty of nice apartments in the Briarwood section of Queens. Like a 5-10 minute drive, and I believe St.Johns just completed new student housing in that area. I'm not sure of the student housing rents, but apts go for around 1000-1500 for a 2 bedroom. Look on craigslist.
The surrounding Jamaica Estates has beautiful homes, tree-lined streets. Culture wise the area is residential, mostly Jewish and Asian, there are some nice restaurants around Union Turnpike, not much for nightlife.
I live in the "not so good" area around the LIRR. There really isn't anything to do as a college student further out into Jamaica.
Jamaica and Far Rockaway are generally considered the worst parts of Queens. They're not as bad as say the worst areas of Brooklyn or The Bronx, but bad as far as Queens is concerned which overall is a somewhat suburban lifestyle in many areas
Jamaica and Far Rockaway are generally considered the worst parts of Queens. They're not as bad as say the worst areas of Brooklyn or The Bronx, but bad as far as Queens is concerned which overall is a somewhat suburban lifestyle in many areas
I guess it's all a matter of opinion but there are parts of Jamaica that feel a lot scarier than any place in The Bronx to me.I usually think of the bad parts of Jamaica as neck and neck with the bad parts of East New York or Brownsville for the title of scariest place in NY.
/\ Where in Jamaica would that be? Jamaica is hood, I'll give you that, but it doesn't seem out of control like say Brownsville or certain blocks in the Bronx. The only place in Qns to me that feels completely hard core like that is Far Rock.
There is no way that parts of Jamaica are comparable to Brownsville! That is a joke. Far Rockaway does tend to be severely sketchy. Then again, I'm sure it's all relative. I have been to parts of the Bronx and East New York that made me feel uncomfortable, though I've never felt outright fear anywhere in the city.
But for the OP, I would stick to Briarwood or Kew Gardens.
It might also be a matter of comfort/discomfort because of familiarity on unfamiliarity.
I teach in The South Bronx and it doesn't bother me,maybe because I was a social worker before and I know the streets.Put me in a bad neighborhood that I am unfamiliar with and I get a little jumpy.
Hi, I am new to this board and was wondering if Jamaica in Queens is an ok place to live. I will be attending St. Johns University next semester and I'd like to live as close as possible to school. I am not from New York and know nothing about this neighborhood. Can anyone tell me what the rents, culture, people, architecture etc. is like?
jamaica is one of the largest neighborhoods, if not the largest neighborhood in queens. so to summarize the whole neighborhood as good or bad would not be an accurate description, as jamaica has many parts.
if you're going to st. john's, i suggest looking for an apartment around union turnpike. its safe, and close to the school.
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