Jackson Heights Life

Good write-up in the Brownstoner, Queens
http://queens.brownstoner.com/2013/07/carroll-gardens-blogger-gives-up-her-neighborhood-for-queens/

That's great -- can't wait to see what she does with the apartment!

the commute note is funny. one of the things i love right now is my 20-ish minute commute to rockefeller center -- which i'm about to lose with my company's move to sixth and canal. at least the lunch options are better down there

don't worry, she'll be in here complaining in no time.

I do worry a little about the gentrification effect though. On the one hand, this is an established neighborhood that is largely owner-occupied. Gentrification tends to begin with rental prices and then spill over to selling prices, but Jackson Heights lacks and abundance of rentals (for a neighborhood so dense, anyway), and is therefore missing a somewhat critical stepping stone. The lack of certain amenities (a gym, for example) and retail diversity could further stall gentrification, maybe even squash it all together.

On the other hand, depending on how much press the neighborhood gets between her blog, brownstoner, and any other outlets that might jump on the bandwagon, there's potential for some opportunistic owners to put up a listing with a way-too-high asking price and see if they get any nibbles. And if they do, that might just set the tone for the next few years of real estate in Jackson Heights. And in that case, yes, people will be priced out of the neighborhood, specifically renters looking to buy and owners looking to upgrade. I'm in the former category, and my husband and I are hoping to buy two years from now. And right now I'm a little nervous.

Erica, I wouldn't worry about gentrification, as what happens in Brooklyn, for the reasons previously said here: established neighborhood, not really poor, high levels of ownership.

Today Jackson Heights is 60% foreign-born. But I think that we are about to see a wave of American-born migrants to the area. Maybe that's why some might call it "gentrification" -- when white-Americans move to an area where they were previously a minority.

For this reason, we might see some changes, but it's hard to say how fast it will happen.

Technically this blogger did not live in carroll gardens-that area Is red hook. My family has been in Jh for over 30 yrs. Shorty after marrying we lived in carroll gardens and loved it but after having children realized unless we want to spend millions we need to look elsewhere. We decided to move closer to family in 96- initially renting and eventually buying and are so happy with our decision. To me JH has everything. We are close to the airport, almost every major subway line, bus line, etc, etc. Sure there are things we would love and some improvements but overall, I have never once said I wished we would have moved to Long island!! I am almost seeing Jh becoming like park slope (for the better) I love the farmers market, I love that some of the stores are carrying organic healthy options, I love the sense of community and the cohesiveness. I also think that blogger bought our last apt and wish her luck!!