Jamaica Ave, Jamaica

When I think of Jamaica Ave i think of all the shops selling imitation everything but the one thing that mostly comes to mind is the dollar cabs. Even though they are not a dollar any more because of the price of gas going up over the years they serve as a fast alternative to talking the bus if you need to get some where fast. Jamiaca ave serves mainly for transport and for shopping.

Jamaica Avenue is a long street and is known to mostly everyone that lives in New York. There are plenty of shops and eateries to visit in the daytime but I would be wary to be walking on it in some parts where not many people go at night, but that could be said about anywhere in New York City. The Q56 and the J/Z trains run along some parts of Jamaica Avenue.

Jamaica Avenue is mostly known for its rich diversity of people and shopping. The most common part of Jamaica Avenue is from 183rd street to Queens Boulevard. This is the main vocal point of Jamaica Avenue. You can go to the Jamaica subway center, and take the trains into to the city.
Jamaica Avenue is rich with different diversities of Caribbean people from Jamaican to Guyanese. Of course all of the food can be sampled for a decently priced meal. Might I suggest the curry goat or for the less risk-takers a Jamaican chicken patty with coconut bread is always good, and for only 2-3 dollars.
Of course I can't go without talking about the shopping that is to be done on Jamaica Avenue. You can buy all the bootleg bags you want, and (if you are not into name brands) nice clothes for every occasions. You can also buy bootleg c.d.'s, find bargains, and almost always haggle the prices down a bit. So, if you like the lively scene without having to go to the city, Jamaica Avenue is a good alternative if you live in Queens.

Jamaica is a very rough neighborhood to visit. I do not suggest visiting this area if you are not a person of color. People will stare you down and just think you’re there to buy drugs. Some parts of this neighborhood have improved and are looking up, but not this street. This street is still impoverished and the crimes on this street are very frightening.

Although I didn't live in this part of Queens I did go to school here. It was an all girls Catholic school and I believe it is no longer around.

The only times I would shop in this area is when I would visit my best friend, who lived in the neighborhood. The shopping was adequate and afforded you the chance to shop at a neighborhood "department" store - Sterns.

The area was very busy with traffic and had the hub bub of a very moving "city".

Jamaica avenue in Queens, NY is my shopping heaven. They definately do not have the pricey designer bags you can find in the city. In fact, most of the items are just imitations. They are made of the same exact materials but because they do not carry names like Gucci and Coach, they are sold for about 75% less than what you would find elsewhere.

This street is like heaven for the West Indian or Carribean, because while you walk around you can find beef patties and sweets that are imported straight fromt he carribean. You can find sneakers at a steal since there is so much competition. There are stores right next to each other that sell the same items, and most of them have employees standing outside that try to lure you in and offer you the best price.

There is also the coliseum, the only place I know where they will make you a gold chaing with your name on it, doubel plated, while you wait. Again there is so much competition with the lower level dedicated to Jewelry and tattoos only, that you are guaranteed to get a steal.

If you are looking for thrift shopping and looking to spend as little money as possible to get as many article of clothing and jewelry as well as music CDs for a mere 5 dollars, Jamaica Ave is the place to be.