User:Mlevian

From The Peopling of New York City

Video on Little India...| Little India

______________ Mortgage investment data of Jackson Heights shows that from the year 2000 until now, the cost of homes has risen from 250,000 to 560,000. Looking at real estate prices in the area (for the quarter ending Jan 08), the average sale price is $595,000, the median sale price is $687,500, and the average price/Sqft is $342. Listings of properties for rent in the area show a range from asking prices of $710 (for a 1 bed, 1 bath co-op) to $3,158 (for a "gorgeous seven bedroom multi-family Colonial in Jackson Heights that is newly constructed and presents beautiful hardwood flooring and granite flooring throughout the home").

Interviews

Residential Group Interview Questions:

1) Where is the center of your neighborhood? Is there a street, shopping place, park or school that is the center of your neighborhood?

2) How big is your neighborhood? Where does your neighborhood stop and another begin?

3) Where do you find conflicts between ethnic or economic groups?

4) Do people who reside in Jackson Heights really feel the ethnic divide, or is it not that obvious from the inside?

5) Are there any processes (i.e. gentrification, slumification) that you see taking place in Jackson Heights today? Describe.

Cognitive Mapping Questions:

1) What landmarks are in your neighborhood? Is there a church, school, government building or fire station?

2) Where is your favorite place to go in your neighborhood?

3) Where is your least favorite place?

4) How do you get from your house to work/school/church/synagogue/mosque and so forth?

5) What 3 things would you do to make your neighborhood better?

Residential Questions:

1) Which places do you consider to be unsafe in your neighborhood?

Interviews of residents among the different coffee shops in the area was a real eye opener.  When asked about the ethnic divide in the area, one couple having brunch at a Starbucks replied, "divide for us is probably the wrong word."  The couple claims not to feel any sort of divide in the neighborhood. They often go to different places to eat and they enjoy the variety.  The couple agreed that their least favorite place in the area would be the dollar stores because "it seems like they resell and use things".  Also, when asked what they would do to make their neighborhood a better place, they commented that the movie theater (though could not recall the name of it) is in need of renovation.  They would prefer a theater that "didn't show 'Norbit' or other very Hollywood/Blockbuster type movies."
 Standing in contrast to the interview in Starbucks,a woman in the local coffee shop, "Espresso 77", had a totally different outlook on her neighborhood. (Melissa has the answers to that interview written)

In an interview with an Anthropology professor who lives in Jackson Heights, i found that his answers were not significantly more meaningful or informative than the other residents interviewed (as i would have expected considering his fieldwork as an Anthropology professor). When speaking about the ethnic divide there, he said that the "ethic divide is obvious. There is definitely an Indian/ SE area where I live and definitely a Columbian area." He does not experience any tension, but the professor stated that he "realize[s] people who where different clothes, the different shops, etc."   Things he would do to improve the neighborhood include: 1- Cleaning it up a bit. 2- Start to get new gentrification places. The professor states, "on the one hand i hate Dunkin Donuts but i like Starbucks." He believes that the SE areas will be driven out because of gentrification and then "everyone will be like [him] and that's no fun" It was interesting to hear about what he had to say about safety in his neighborhood.  He noted that Roosevelt Avenue is kind of dangerous.  He sees a lot of people drinking there and on Saturday nights there are police on every corner. The professor comments, "I don't feel it though, i never had any problems; i have heard people say stuff though."

From NP #3...

The first thing I noticed, even before I met with the group for the walking tour, is how diverse Jackson Heights truly is. While driving through the area, I watched as pedestrians passed by and was humored and shocked by the vast array of ethnicities. I saw Asians, Whites, Blacks, Latinos and Indians all within one block. I truly never witnessed such a sight, and I realized how sheltered I might actually be. During the walking tour I was able to experience the diversity of the area first-handedly. I walked through areas like the Indian commercial area located on 37th Avenue, where there are departments ranging from clothing and jewelry, to food and travel agencies. The bank in the area is called “Habib Commerce Bank”. I learned about the huge Indian grocery store called “Patel Brothers”, and passed by the famous “Jackson Diner.” Through the readings I learned of this area termed “Little India”, but walking through it was so much more of a insightful experience.

QUESTIONS:

1) Which ethnic group do you feel is dominant in Jackson Heights?

2) Do you feel there is discrimination in the housing market?

3) Is housing in Jackson Heights affordable?

4) Do you feel the role of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group is necessary and/or efficient?

5) What are your views on the United Methodist Community Church in Jackson Heights? Does it promote interracial harmony or social segregation?