Jackson Heights: Here v. There
From Decoding New York
| Introduction |
| Jackson Heights |
| * Evolution |
| * Here v. There |
| * What's Real |
| Astoria |
| * Evolution |
| * Here v. There |
| * What's Real |
| Comparison |
| * Photo Gallery |
| * Sources
|
Jackson Heights is home to a multitude of people speaking a multitude of languages. Each group has left its mark on the neighborhood. Indians and Columbians in particular have established themselves in Jackson Heights, forming ethnic enclaves that allow residents to live and grow in the United States without giving up a drop of their native cultures.
The Little India section of Jackson Heights is one of New York’s richest ethnic neighborhoods. Located on and around 74th Street between Roosevelt Avenue and 37th Avenue, Little India is home to thousands of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi residents, and some of the city’s best Indian food. Additionally, Little India offers a wide selection of South Asian clothing and jewelry, Bollywood movies, Indian music, and other regional offerings. The residents of Little India are very visible, dressed in South Asian clothing and regularly speaking Hindi, Bengali or one of the many other Indian languages. Others, clearly 1.5 or second generation Indians, have apparently upheld ties with their native roots. Perhaps Little India’s most apparent feature is its enticing smells. Walking up 74th Street from Roosevelt Avenue, visitors are immediately greeted with the odors of South Asia.
East of Little India, down Roosevelt Avenue, is Little Columbia. Like its Asian neighbor to the west, Little Columbia houses and serves the people its name suggests. Along its part of Roosevelt Avenue, more Spanish is likely read and spoken than English. A variety of Columbian and Hispanic food is available for all visitor to enjoy.
