$640,496Average Value$669Average Price per Sq Ft78Homes For Sale
Jamaica blends accessibility to Manhattan jobs and nearby recreation
Jamaica is a vivid tapestry of a neighborhood located on the eastern side of the New York City borough of Queens. Downtown Jamaica, or Jamaica Center, hosts a dense concentration of government, commercial and retail buildings. To the south and east of downtown, residential communities feature single-family homes and low-rise apartment blocks. The name “Jamaica” dates from the colonial period, not called after the Caribbean island, as might be expected, but from a corruption of a Native American word for “beaver.” The area has a long history as a crossroads, stretching back to times when bands of local Lenape bartered with other tribes from as far away as the Ohio River Valley. Jamaica still serves as a major transportation hub: the Grand Central Parkway bisects the neighborhood, the Long Island Rail Road intersects with subway lines, and the JFK AirTrain connects to nearby John F. Kennedy Airport. Queens qualifies as one of the most diverse counties in the country, and Jamaica mirrors its home borough in that respect. You need only to witness the spirited weekend cricket matches in South Jamaica’s Baisley Pond Park to appreciate the variety of communities in the area. Ease of access to the employment and entertainment offerings of Manhattan allows Jamaica residents to enjoy the attractions of both urban and suburban environments.
From apartments and condos to single- and multifamily homes
With approximately one hundred transactions per quarter, the real estate market in Jamaica, Queens, averages a median sales price of $500,000. One-bedroom homes are rare but average in price around $190,000, while homes of five bedrooms or more can approach $1 million. The average price per square foot registers at around $250. Stand-alone homes make up ninety percent of sales, with co-ops representing most of the rest, along with a tiny percentage of condominiums. The rental market is very tight, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging $2,000.
Jamaica fits into the grand mosaic of neighborhoods in the borough of Queens, surrounded most immediately by South Jamaica, Jamaica Estates and Jamaica Hills. Neighborhoods notably nearby are Kew Gardens, Hollis, Richmond Hills, Ozone Park and Little Guyana. For international getaways, JFK Airport is located a mile south. The borough of Brooklyn lies to the southeast, while the numerous attractions of Manhattan are less than ten miles away, easily accessible by several public transportation lines.
Jamaica has an array of private and public schools
Over a dozen public high schools lie within the vicinity of Jamaica, including several co-located on Jamaica Campus and those on the nearby Springfield Gardens Educational Campus, as well as Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School, and the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Fourteen public elementary and middle schools also call the neighborhood home. Several private schools enroll students, such as the United Nations International School in Jamaica Estates and a number of religion-based institutions, from an array of Catholic schools to Al-Iman School, an Islamic prekindergarten through 12th-grade school.
Gathering for Jamaica JAMS and seasonal festivals
King Manor Museum is a colonial heritage house that is worth a visit any time, and the facility holds events throughout the year. The most popular is King Manor's annual Fall Festival, where events range from a pumpkin patch for kiddies to a rum tasting for adults. A hallmark of the summer is always the two-day Jamaica JAMS (Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival), a massive street fair paired with nightly concerts under the stars. The Jamaica Jerk Festival in Roy Wilkins Park features Caribbean food, while the downtown strip of Jamaica Center hosts an annual Jamaica Jazz Festival.
The far north-western corner of Jamaica, Queens touches upon the far south-western corner of Flushing Meadows Park, one of the largest public facilities in New York City, offering copious opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Within the boundaries of Jamacia itself are smaller neighborhood parks, including Captain Tilly Park, Roy Wilkins Park, St. Albans Park, and Detective Keith L. Williams Park. In South Jamaica, there is the hundred-acre Baisley Pond Park, which features three cricket fields among its many recreational offerings.
Shopping at Jamaica Center or working at JFK Airport
The commercial and retail outlets of Jamaica Center present local employment opportunities, as do the hotels serving travelers from nearby JFK Airport. Government offices related to borough administration offer public sector jobs. Jamaica’s abundant public transportation facilities allow for access to an incredible array of employment opportunities beyond the neighborhood’s borders. Alternately, many residents must feel there’s no place like home, preferring the quiet residential blocks of Jamaica’s suburban southern and eastern areas to the hustle and bustle of downtown or Manhattan.
Taking the Long Island Rail Road or the Van Wyck Expressway
Jamaica, Queens serves as a transportation hub for the entire vicinity. A pair of subway lines place Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York City within reach of commuters. The Long Island Rail Road offers an alternative method of connecting to Manhattan’s Penn Station and Grand Central Station. The JFK AirTrain links to the international airport. Major highways include the north-south Van Wyck Expressway on the neighborhood's western border, and the east-west Grand Central Parkway.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Jamaica, Queens sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Jamaica, Queens over the last 12 months is $650,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Renovated Huge 1 family, possible to convert as a Mother-Daughter with a proper permit. The house features 7 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms, a Large Living room, Eat-in Kitchen with a nice Dining Space, Family Room, Full Finished Basement with a Half Bath, and Pvt Driveway. Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms, Hardwood floors throughout. Conveniently located in a nice quiet neighborhood, 1 block from Q42
Spacious renovated studio unit, Located in a mid rise elevator building. Corner Unit with large floorplan. Renovated Bathroom and Renovated Kitchen with new appliances. Lighting Fixtures. Three Storage Closets with in unit, Additional information: Appearance:Excellent,Interior Features:Efficiency Kitchen
Perfect starter home to make your own: - Unfinished basement with its own entrance/exit- Beautiful sun room/porch in the back- 136ft Deep lot (3500sf+ total lot size) - Less-than-1-minute walk to multiple bus lines (Q4, Q5, Q85, Q86, Q87, Q89)
Corner Lot Gem with Curb Appeal, Space, and Style!Welcome to this beautifully maintained detached two-story home on a premium 40x100 corner lot in the heart of Jamaica, Queens—a rare opportunity to own a spacious and updated property with classic charm and modern comfort. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence delivers incredible curb appeal, privacy, and flexibility in one of the most
Investment Opportunity -Two family home in Jamaica Queens- Renovated in 2015, this income generating property has tenants on both floors. The first floor will be delivered vacant. The first floor features 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom, while the second floor features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. A finished basement adds extra space with an additional bathroom.Located in the prime area of Jamaica Queens,
Opportunity awaits! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers great potential with a large walk-up attic and full unfinished basement with side entrance. The property requires a complete gut renovation—perfect opportunity to create your dream home. Property conveniently locate
Welcome to Moda, modern living in heart of vibrant Jamaica, Queens. Easily accessible transit subway lines (E J K F) and the LIRR center at Jamaica only blocks away.Apartments feature high-end finishes including: -Stainless steel appliances -Hardwood floors *select units*-Spacious floorplans, and large (walk-in) closets-Private terraces *select
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
