Jackson Heights Life

Thanks for sharing.  Although he briefly mentions the garden apartments Jackson Heights is known for, I am struck by the fact that he pretty much neglects the beauty inherent in the neighborhood.  Namely, the architecture and landscaping in the historic district which makes this neighborhood much nicer than so many others.  Perhaps he's never been here in spring, summer or fall when the beauty of Jackson Heights truly shines. 

 It's almost a given that Jackson Heights features are on 74th Street or Roosevelt Ave. It would be fine by me if it was Northern Blvd which has more locals but my point is the commercial district may not be truly reflective of the neighborhood. Diversity Plaza looked awful here, in my opinion. It feels like they were going for known specialty places rather than what the residents here might really do in an ordinary day. It might take a real JH resident to be able to access various indoor spaces that are not commercial so it's all working the perimeter and not in any way the version of the JH neighborhood our friends and family see when visiting. I do understand this is a tourist type thing on Youtube but still. He did seem to have read his history though...and it certainly could've been worse.

Quote from: abcdefghijk on February 03, 2021, 09:36:36 AM

1930's garden apartments are pretty common in Sunnyside, Forest Hills, Kew Gdns, Forest Park, Riverdale, other neighborhoods of The Bronx, Los Angeles, London,  etc, etc. They are not what makes Jackson Heights different.

You completely missed my point which was that he missed the aesthetic beauty in the neighborhood.  I would argue residents are drawn to the beauty of the neighborhood and not Diversity Plaza, the Jackson Diner or Arepa Lady.  It's wonderful to champion the diverse nature of the community, but why do all these videos make Jackson Heights look like a dump?

But that's how the commercial part of Jackson Heights looks. In the video.

(Fifth avenue, it ain't.)

Roosevelt Ave etc is the most interesting part if you're visiting as a day tourist.

No-one can see the interior gardens, they're completely hidden, so that's not interesting. All touristy folks can see from the side streets is exterior walls of 5 story 1920's/30's red brick buildings. Common in every borough of NYC.

Jackson Heights is great...for its diversity...

But let's face it, parts of Forest Hills Gdns, Kew Gdns, Sunnyside Gdns, Forest Park, Brooklyn Hts, Riverdale, Park Slope, Inwood etc, etc (many more)... are very attractive, charming neighborhoods.

IMO just because a person lives somewhere they like...doesn't mean they have to be blind to the beauty of the rest of the city.