Jackson Heights is a larger neighborhood in Queens that includes "Little India", a stretch located along 74th street. The Little India area of Jackson Heights is home to many South Asian eateries and shops of all kinds. The area's shops are run by the neighborhood's prevalent Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepali communities.
My Experience in Jackson Heights
After getting off the train at "Roosevelt Ave", I was met with the sounds of cars honking, the rumble of the elevated 7 train passing overhead, and street sellers advertising their products. I headed straight on 74th street and couldn't see anything but Desi restaurants and stores. Many people were selling jewelry and traditional clothing on the sidewalk while the buildings were occupied by similar items. When it came to food, there were an abundance of restaurants with lots of variety in cuisine. I couldn't help but overhear the sound of Bhangra music overlapping with Quranic verses coming from nearby. As I walked further towards 37th Avenue, I found that there was a community event happening with local musicians playing in Diversity Plaza. As I kept on 74th Street, I saw Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian gift shops scattered around the block. The neighborhood's diverse community co-exists and intermingles more than anywhere else I've been in the whole city.
Jackson Heights through the lens of a Queens native
After visiting Jackson Heights, I wanted to get in touch with my old guitar teacher, Kyle Forester, who used to live right next to Jackson Heights, about his experiences. Kyle loves Jackson Heights and although he is a white man, he feels no sort of disconnect with the people and culture of the neighborhood. He used to watch Bollywood movies at the cinema that used to be on 74th street, and gets his dessert from Maharaja sweets, a community staple. When asked about the identity of the neighborhood and whether it's changed over the years, Kyle claims that it hasn't and never will. He believes that due to the large number of Desi people that run businesses in the area, there is no room for gentrification to change the neighborhood's authentic feel.