Hillcrest

Located in central Queens, mainly in Jamaica but partly in Flushing, Hillcrest is a small and diverse residential area. Its bordered by Union Turnpike, Hillside Avenue, 164th Street and Jamaica Estates. Most of the housing in Hillcrest is in the form of single and multi-family private homes. The population is a mix of Asian, Jewish, Russian, and Hispanic, with a majority of African American residents. There isn't much in the way of shopping, other than some supermarkets and pharmacies, but there are more options in the towns nearby. It does have some great pizza places and delis - try Double J right next to the university for some awesome sandwiches. The main draw for people in Hillcrest is the fact that it's home to St. John's University. If you own a multi-family home, you can attract student tenants. On the other hand, if you're looking to rent, it isn't hard to find a reasonably priced place in Hillcrest. While the neighborhood isn't the best in Queens, it's quiet and the neighbors are relatively friendly. The school district is okay, and there is a very good public library on Union Turnpike. It has books, newspapers, and DVD's in several different languages.

Hillcrest is a small residential neighborhood in the center of Queens. Its name comes from its location on the hills between Flushing and Jamaica. Hillcrest area travels from Grand Central Parkway to 73rd Avenue, between Utopia Parkway and Parson’s Boulevard. Its main commercial street is the Union Turnpike.

The area is known by locals for its annual flea market and street fair, as well as St. John’s Athletics (basketball and other sports). The Hillcrest Library is located at 187-05 Union Turnpike. The neighborhood’s best kept secret is a pizza store on Union Turnpike off 150th, called Bourekas Bachar. The pizzeria serves excellent brick oven pizza that is cheaper than any other place - great value for the taste.

Hillcrest is small and doesn’t offer much more in terms of shopping. It is best to get your retail fix in one of the neighboring communities, but if you need that necessity you can find it on Union Turnpike. Hillcrest may be small but it is home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the Queens borough.

The median sales price for homes in Hillcrest is approximately $550,000. The sales price seems to increase slow and steady with each passing year.

Though this neighborhood is home to St. Johns University, it is also close to the New York City city limits (ie, don’t move way out here if you want to see the Manhattan skyline on a daily basis, especially if you work there – the commute would just not be any fun). This is a tiny residential enclave in Queens, between both Flushing and Jamaica. This is one of the huge Orthodox Jewish communities (it seems like there are quite a few in the city). Union Turnpike is the neighborhood’s main commercial strip, though this is nothing that would entice a tourist (I don’t even think anyone would visit from Flushing or Jamaica).