On any sunny afternoon Jackson Heights is a bustling, busy, beautiful neighborhood. Located towards the North-western area of Queens, It is a melting pot of different nationalities, cultures and religions. The size of the neighborhood is deceptively small and cozy. The neighborhood attractions and commercial streets are located in a close enough proximity to provide a sense of community. The residential areas however, make up the majority of neighborhood.
Jackson Heights was declared a historic neighborhood by a community board decree set in 1993. The community board continues a persistent campaign to maintaining beautiful gardens, parks and landmarks. The value of such effort is a neighborhood that still remains similar as it did in 1916. Standing out in comparison to the neighboring districts of Woodside to the west, Corona to the east and Elmhurst to the south, Jackson Heights maintains a blend of commercial and residential style.
The ethnic groups that make up the majority of the population are a wide variety. Caucasians are becoming fewer to find in the competitive influx of South Asians and Latinos moving in. The variety of nationalities congregated in one small area also provide for wonderful dining experiences and cultural immersions. Indian cuisines, Thai restaurants and Authentic Spanish meals can be enjoyed, while shopping can be done on the commercialized 82nd street. A bowling alley and movie movie theater compliment the little neighborhood’s self sufficiency. The Queens Halloween parade ends down the major street of 37th avenue and is also where the Gay and Lesbian festival is held.
Transportation is a big issue in this neighborhood. Many major public transportation lines seems to intersect here. Subways include the E,F,M,R,G,7 lines while the Q33 bus to LaGuardia Airport runs the length of the town on road. Highways include the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Grand Central Station running along the borders of Jackson Heights.
Jackson Heights seems to fit E.B. White’s claim that New York is composed of small self sufficient neighborhood. This neighborhood that has been frozen in time by maintaining its original physical beauty, has also changed with a gentrification movement and massive reception of foreign settlers. Jackson Heights is essentially New York City compressed into a 20 city block radius.