Jackson Heights Life

I'm new to NY, and am beginning to look for something to buy.  So many ads list building names but not street addresses.  Have searched the web unsuccessfully for this information and am getting frustrated.  Can anyone help me out?

I'd be so grateful!!!

Thank you for the tip, this is very helpful to me!!

Thanks, amj!  I'll try to catch that garden tour.

Do you know if there is a list that tells you which buildings offer which amenities, such as the garden access, co-op or condo status, elevator, etc. you mention?  Or should one just go directly to a realtor with a list of preferred attributes?  It strikes me this could be an interesting project and a useful guide.  Maybe I'll do it myself!

By the way, I went to an Open House over the weekend hosted by MPC properties, and they gave out a brochure called Garden City Trail that had a useful map of Jackson Heights with historical information about buildings. 

the other thing is that as a buyer, you are only really considering what's on the market when you're looking to buy, unless you are going to hold out for a particular bldg.  this is what I was able to get from googling and what I know
 
name, year built, location, elevator?, garden?, other

Allendale, 82nd & 34th, co-op, ?
The Berkeley, 77th to 78th, north 1/2 of 37th to 35th, elevator, garden, unionized full-time staff, all units in one co-op
Cambridge Court - 1923    ? maybe 86 to 87th between 37th and Roosevelt but I think this is all rentals now. they filmed Maria Full of Grace here
Cedar Court - 1925  83-09 35th Avenue ?,
The Chateau - 1923, 80th to 81st St, 35th to 34th Ave, elevator, garden, each bldg separate co-op
The Colonials - 1915,   82 & 35th, walk up, no garden, co-op
Dunnolly Gardens - 1939 78th to 79th 35th to 34th, elevator, courtyard garden, ?
Elm Court - 1922,  79th to 80th St. bet. 34th to 35th Ave, elevator, garden, each bldg separate co-op
Fillmore Hall, 1930, 83rd &  35th, elevator, ? co-op
Georgian Court 1930, 37 Avenue between 83 and 84 Street (not sure if co-op or rental)
The Greystones - 1917  - 80th St b/w 37/35 (both sides of 80), walk up, two separate gardens, each bldg separate co-op
Griswold - 1937, 34th Ave, 86th to 87th, ?, small garden, co-op
Hampshire House, 1940, 79th St 37th to 35th, ?, garden, ?, co-op (I think it allows rentals)
Hawthorne Court - 1922, 76th to 77th and 35th to 37th (but not on Aves), elevator, garden, each bldg separate co-op
Hampton Court - 1921    78th to 79th St, 35th to 37th Ave, walk up, garden, each bldg separate co-op
Hayes Court - 1923,    ? I think on 82nd between 35/37
Jackson House, 1927, 34th and 82 St, elevator, no garden, ?, co-op
Laburnum Court - 1922 79th to 80th from 37th to Roosevelt closer to 37th, elevator, small garden, each bldg separate, may be part rental
Laurel Court 1914 82nd St & 34th Ave (south side), ?
Linden Court - 1919  84th to 85th Streets, from Roosevelt to 37th Avenues, walk up, garden, co-op
Mayfair and the Surrey, 73rd St. bet. 35th and 37th Aves. "No common garden, but the buildings have charm, with original built-in furniture, plaster, and arched doorways." (info from http://nymag.com/nymetro/realestate/neighborhoods/maps/10845/ )
Monroe, 1948, 35th Ave & 79 St, ?, ?, co-op
Plymouth Court - 1916   82nd St b/w 35/37, walk up (and you have to go outside to go to basement for laundry), no garden, each bldg separate co-op
Penrhyn Court - 1915    82nd near 34th (between 34/35), ?
Roosevelt Terrace, 1955, 85th street, between 35th and 37th, elevator, ? postwar co-op
Stratford Hall 80th St & 35th Ave, ? condo
The Towers - 1924  - 80th to 81st St, 34th to Northern, elevator, garden, full time unionized staff, all units in one co-op
The Warwick, 1940, 35th Ave, 77 to 76 St, elevator, small garden (view of Hawthorne Ct too), large co-op
Willow Court - 1916  82nd street,between 35th and 37th avenues, walk up, no garden, co-op

WOW, amj, and thanks all contributors!  I'm trying to make a map on Google! 

SO-O-O-O glad to have found this forum!  Whether or not I land in JH, I appreciate that you all constitute an 'advance guard' community for those considering the neighborhood.

Suffering from sticker shock while completing house sale in Central PA and entering this new world of real estate and a new life style all together.  Still, compared to some area neighborhoods, prices seem reasonable and JH seems lively.

We are looking for easy Express metro access, elevator bldg in case stairs become unmanageable, 2BR, sun and quiet --- an initial short list.  I try to check NYT listings frequently, also certain Realtor listings.  Are there resources I am neglecting?  Is it best to enlist help of an area agent?

Thanks again everyone!

Dunolly Gardens - unionized staff

re unionized staff - a lot of the small buildings (like 10 units per building) have part-time supers who receive very little salary, but receive free rent. So if there is a couple who are supers, often one person also has another job, because even with free rent, who can live on $300 a month?  The part-time super usually handles garbage, snow, sweeping the sidewalk and general maintenance of the common areas of the building. He or she is usually not expected to do anything inside your apartment, like any repairs or projects. He or she is also an employee at will who can leave at any time or be fired at any time. There is often a lot of turnover for these positions.

Whereas in the larger buildings with unionized staff, the staff are full time and professional. They usually receive free or discounted rent as well as a real salary. They take care of the garbage, common areas, snow, etc but often can also make repairs or do projects that the building might otherwise have to hire someone to perform. Like the super in my unionized building repaired the radiator in my apt and installed child gates. The staff is part of the Service Employees International Union and negotiates with the Realty Advisory Board, which is an industry organization that represents apartment buildings.  I think the last strike was in 1991, but there was almost one in 2006. So if there is a strike looming, even if the employees of  your building are satisfied with the management/board of your building, they will strike if their union votes to do so. http://www.nysun.com/new-york/strike-may-soon-greet-new-yorkers-looking/30589/

As someone who has lived in both types of buildings, I have better services in the building with the full-time unionized staff, but I pay more in monthly maintenance.