RichD1

First off, I have been a resident of Elmhurst for 22 years. Elmhurst has its good and its bad. For starters, if you are an out of towner visiting friends or family here, you might notice that this neighborhood is very aged. Some street lights tend to not work and some older buildings can use big updates like security cameras , etc. I'd say about a good 30% of the neighborhood is a downright eyesore. Most people from elmhurst are family oriented people from 3rd world countries just trying to survive and whatever income they can. You will see many Latin americans living in small buildings/houses all working minimum wage to pay rent. The options for food go on seemingly forever though. If you like to try different cuisines you definitely want to check out this neighborhood. The parks are ok. However, as with most parks in New York City, there is your....lets say 'headache' element. The headache element are always hanging out, doing drugs and sometimes starting gang fights by the handball courts. And many homeless people tend to make Elmhurst park benches there homes. You can go here and have no problems with your kids though, just try to stay away from the 'headache element'. Crime overall is not too bad and it shouldn't be your main problem. But thats not to say it doesn't happen. Just yesterday a man shot at two police officers. As with any neighborhood in any major city, you want to always watch your back, no matter how friendly the people seem. Also, if you have kids, this may not be the best place to let them go wandering past midnight. Especially if you have a daughter. There are alot of drunk people who wander under the trains or certain parts of the neighborhood who rape women. That has always been a problem in Elmhurst for as long as I know. The schools are good from what I remember. Mind your business here and you might find a place you can call your home for the rest of your life, because the rent is some of the lowest in the city and the access to Manhattan is great, you can get there in 15 minutes via subway.