South Jamaica

South Jamaica is a historically underrated area in Jamaica, Queens. There are single and multi-family homes and apartment buildings on the neighborhood's tree-lined streets. While the population is pretty diverse with Latin American, Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi immigrants, the majority of the residents are African American. In fact, South Jamaica has the largest African American population in all of Queens. The town's ethnic stores and restaurants are proof of its incredible diversity. Decades ago, this neighborhood had a terrible reputation for violence and drugs. While the town worked to improve safety and developers swooped in during the last housing boom, it has had a hard time shaking its bad image. Prices are reasonable for New York City, but this is primarily a result of its poor reputation. Transportation options are pretty good, with access to three subway lines on Archer Avenue and the Long Island Rail Road station on Sutphin Boulevard. Residents can take buses to either station. There is also an AirTrain Station on Sutphin Boulevard that provides service to JFK Airport. Baisley Pond Park is great for recreational activities; it has tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and biking / jogging paths.

This neighborhood – also known as Southside – is south of downtown Jamaica, and is populated by a mostly African American community. There are some immigrants from Latin America and the West Indies moving in however, though this slow trickle of change hasn’t had much of an explosive effect (in other words, racial tensions have been worse in other neighborhoods). This is a working-class neighborhood that mostly offers houses big enough for families, though there are some smaller apartment buildings, and a number of public housing projects. This neighborhood is very close to the JFK airport – so close that the AirTran actually stops in the area. This isn’t exactly an enticing tourist spot, and the residential life isn’t too appealing either.

South Jamaica is a neighborhood in Queens that most locals refer to simply as “Southside.” It is located south of downtown Jamaica and south of Long Island Rail Road tracks and Liberty Avenue. To the west is the Van Wyck Expressway, which continues in the east towards the neighboring community of St. Albans.

The neighborhood is residential and consists primarily of one and two family homes. There is also a number of smaller apartment buildings; not the large complexes that you find in some of the other areas of Queens.

York College is located in South Jamaica. York is part of the City University of New York system and recently was positioned in the neighborhood of South Jamaica. The newer AirTrain JFK route initiates in South Jamaica, as the Jamaica Station, and continues toward JFK International Airport on its route. It is elevated high above the Van Wyck Expressway.