Once dubbed “the most culturally diverse neighborhood in New York, if not the planet” by The New York Times, Jackson Heights, Queens is a veritable melting pot of languages (at least 167 languages are spoken there!), traditions, and cuisines from all over the world. Located in the northwest portion of New York City’s largest borough, Jackson Heights offers real estate that’s rich in both history and space. Not to mention all of the restaurants, coffee shops, businesses and bars that invigorate the neighborhood. But what kinds of homes are available in Jackson Heights? And what’s the median asking price for them? If you find yourself asking these questions, keep reading. We’ve got everything you need to know about making this terrific locale your new home.
Where is Jackson Heights?
This eclectic Queens neighborhood is bordered by Astoria and East Elmhurst to the North, North Corona to the East, Woodside to the West, and Elmhurst to the South. It’s served by 5 total subway lines, including 2 express trains, and buses abound.
A Brief History of Jackson Heights
The area that encompasses modern-day Jackson Heights was originally farm and marsh land until the early 1900’s. As Manhattan grew more and more crowded at the turn of the century, Jackson Heights became a great place for middle income workers to live thanks to rapid, intentional development.
In fact, Jackson Heights was one of the very first planned “garden city” communities in the country. Starting in the 1920’s, specialty buildings were erected around gorgeous interior gardens. These integrated designs meant that every single unit in the building had an unobstructed view into the gardens below. Many of these historic structures are still standing in the neighborhood today and still come on the market every now and then.
So Why is Jackson Heights Such a Great Place to Live?
To understand why Jackson Heights is such a desirable place to put down roots, we spoke to Brian Shaw, a licensed real estate salesperson with the Bizzarro Agency and StreetEasy Expert. Shaw has helped countless buyers purchase their dream homes in Jackson Heights.
The two biggest pieces of feedback he hears from happy clients? “People love the diversity and liveliness of the neighborhood, as well as its easy access to Manhattan,” Shaw notes. On the average weekday, commuters can head to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street subway station and zip to east Manhattan in about 10 minutes, or Midtown in about 20 minutes. And if you’re a frequent flier, take note: There are not one, not two, but THREE bus lines that can take you to LaGuardia Airport in less than 15 minutes, including the Q70 express. An easy New York City commute? Yes, please!
Beyond excellent transportation options, Jackson Heights boasts attractive and accessible price tags on homes for sale. “Studios and 1-bedroom options are extremely affordable, and you can get a lot of bang for your buck if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and do a little cosmetic work,” says Shaw. But what kinds of abodes can you expect to see on the market in Jackson Heights? Read on to learn more!
Buying in Jackson Heights
StreetEasy data shows that as of September 2024, 88% of available homes in Jackson Heights were co-ops, while 5% were condos, and 6% were a combination of townhouses and multi-family homes.
Don’t let the word co-op fool you, however. Shaw notes that these apartments tend to boast more spacious floor plans than what you can find in other parts of the city. “Most renovations have simply opened up space, rather than splitting things off,” he assures.
And remember all that incredible neighborhood history we talked about earlier? Well, that translates to stunning architectural details, with aesthetic influences that range from Tudor to Georgian to Colonial Revival and even Art Deco.
So what is all of this gonna cost you? According to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard, the median asking sales price in Jackson Heights in October 2024 was $375,000. This is significantly lower than in nearby neighborhoods like Astoria, where the median asking price was $885,000 in the same time frame — that’s more than double Jackson Heights prices!
Jackson Heights Homes for Sale Under $750K On StreetEasy Article continues below
An Important Note About Buying in Jackson Heights
Shaw is quick to point out that while Jackson Heights is on paper extremely affordable, certain building-specific conditions can make proving ability to purchase difficult — even for buyers with great income and credit. “While smaller units are going for great prices, co-op boards still require higher down payments and have some strict debt-to-income and post-closing requirements,” he warns.
So how should prospective buyers deal with this potential snag in the process? “Definitely consult with a qualified buyer’s agent to learn what is needed financially to purchase, even at lower price points,” advises Shaw.
Thinking about buying in NYC? Chat with our complimentary, licensed Concierge to learn about the buying process and to get matched with a buyer’s agent.
Renting in Jackson Heights
Not ready to purchase a home yet? No sweat! There are plenty of rentals available in the neighborhood as well, many of them boasting the same aesthetic qualities as their counterparts for sale. According to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard, the median asking rent in Jackson Heights in October 2024 was $2,300. This is lower than the median asking rent of $2,900 in nearby Astoria, and even lower still than the median asking rent of $3,000 across all of Queens.
Jackson Heights Rentals Under $2500 On StreetEasy Article continues below
Parks and Green Spaces
Travers Park is a 2-acre community park located between 77th and 78th streets on the northside of 34th Avenue. It offers a children’s playground, picnic tables, a dog run, basketball, tennis, AND handball courts, plus a year-round farmer’s market every Sunday morning.
While not technically a park, Jackson Heights is also home to New York City’s longest permanent Open Street, which spans a truly remarkable 26 blocks along 34th Avenue. This 1.3 mile “superblock” is closed to car traffic every day from 7am-8pm. In addition to being a pleasant stretch to take a stroll along, it’s also an excellent meeting spot for friends, family, and coworkers alike. It conveniently offers neighborhood activities such as dance classes, gardening meetups, bike-riding lessons — the list goes on and on!
What to Eat, Drink, and Do
As we mentioned above, there are over 167 different languages spoken in Jackson Heights. Now, we’re not exactly sure how many different cuisines are offered in the neighborhood. But if we had to guess, we’d imagine it’s somewhere close to that number. In Jackson Heights, food carts are king. So don’t be afraid to walk up to a truck and try something new — maybe even enjoying your food in nearby Travers Park!
No matter what your tastes, dietary restrictions, and preferences are, it’s pretty much guaranteed that Jackson Heights has something for you! Some standouts include: Tibetan gem Lhasa Fast Food, Colombian staples Arepa Lady and Mama’s empanadas, Nepali hotspot Bhanchha Ghar, Indian prize Jackson Diner, Mexican notable La Esquina de Camarón, Bengali favorites Premium Sweets and Fuskahouse, Ecuadorian mainstay Barzola, and Pakistani treasure Kebab King. And if you can’t decide on just one cuisine, there are also delicious fusion eateries, like Tibetan Japanese.
If you’re looking for a quick bite and a hit of java, there are tons of coffee shops in the area. Shaw’s two favorites? “Espresso 77 (which always has a good gluten free cookie option, perfect for someone with Celiac Disease like me), and Over The Moon.”
And that’s just the tip of the culinary iceberg. Check out our StreetEasy “Know the Neighborhood” video for even more neighborhood recs from a longtime Jackson Heights resident!
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