Jamaica Hills - Jamaica, NY

Jamaica Hills sits atop an ancient glacier called an end moraine. Because of this, it is a very hilly. In the late 1800s, the hills attracted the wealthiest New Yorkers to the area so they could enjoy the beautiful views. After the railroad station opened in 1913, the mansions slowly disappeared as more affordable homes took their place.

The Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park chronicles the story of the change, among both buildings and people, in Jamaica Hills. The museum also tells the story of how Jamaica High School, currently the Jamaica Learning Center, beat back closure due to low enrollment. A court action kept the school open and granted it landmark status. Architect William Tubby built the school in the Dutch Revival style.

Nearby Central Library has free English classes. It also hosts an array of entertainment choices, including free movies and a knitting club. St.John's University, a Division I school, has basketball games that are open to the public. Many college kids like to spend their nights watching games and hanging with friends.

Queens holds a yearly street fair, the largest in the borough. This street fair features music and plenty of street shopping.

Annam Brahma on 164th Street sells every type of vegetarian food under the sun. The vegetable kabob consists of skewered soy meatballs interspersed with marinated vegetables. Food is prepared fresh daily. On "Chinese Day," diners can feast on spring rolls with broccoli in garlic sauce and sze chuan noodles.

The Panorama of My Silence-Heart is a cafe on Parsons Boulevard that holds music nights and poetry readings. Breakfast items consist of chia porridge with cashew milk and cacao nibs. Light fare on the menu include the Bliss Burger, a soy burger on a bun with lettuce and tamari mayonnaise.

Local favorite O Lavrador on 101st Street specializes in Asian and Portuguese cuisine. The high level of service, with more than one waiter or waitress per table, makes customers feel very pampered. The charming decor and spicy food make the dining experience unforgettable. Spicy camarao piri-piri is popular and well-priced. Paelha marinheia tastes heavenly, as the rice dish retains the flavor of the squid and shrimp. Large portions mean you are likely to leave with a doggie bag. Visitors say it is a great place for lunch or to pass the time as you wait for a plane at nearby JFK.

Like most of New York, Jamaica Hills is extremely pedestrian-friendly. The subway's F train services this part of Jamaica, and the Q1 line of the Metro Transit Authority runs in the area too. Residents hail cabs when public transportation proves too slow. Uber runs in the city and can offer a lift.

There is no metered parking in this residential area, and it is safe to walk and bike at night, despite the lack of bicycle lanes. Jamaica Hills sits off of the Grand Central Parkway, which further connects onto Long Island and New York via the Van Wyck Expressway. Along the way sits Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which has an extensive bike lane.

Captain Tilly Park stands behind old Jamaica High School. The park celebrates the life of Captain George Tilly, who was killed in the Philippines in 1899. He was the son of an affluent family, and the park was their way to memorialize him. Serenity reigns in this woodland park with quiet walkways and even a goose pond. Patrons come to reflect and walk around the park. This park is kid-friendly with bathrooms and playground.

Joseph Austin Playground has even more kid-friendly amenities. A playground and baseball field sit on this sizable field. Patrons can also play basketball and handball, a New York favorite. Dogs are allowed in New York City parks, but they must be leashed. There are many annual events and activities in New York City parks, but none specific to Captain Tilly Park or Joseph Austin Playground. New York sponsors Walk NYC and Shape Up NYC through all the parks.

The cost of living in Jamaica Hills, compared to the city average, runs high. A one-bedroom apartment in Jamaica Hills starts at $1,400. Buses run on Hillside and surrounding roadways. Local gas prices are 15 percent higher than the national average.

Jamaica Hills is a typical New York neighborhood, with locally-owned corner markets, storefronts, and cafes dotting the residential areas. If the local market doesn't have what you're looking for, head to Jamaica Avenue. This shopping corridor contains a variety of shops and restaurants, including a Gap Outlet, Home Depot, Modell's Sporting Goods, Marshalls, Green Apple Supermarket, Zales -- no matter what you're searching for, This area is a great place to start looking.

New York favorite Key Food sells both ethnic and American foods. The Down to Earth Farmers Market, held on Fridays on 160th Street, provides fresh fruits and vegetables. The Migliorelli Farm in upstate New York provides specialty foods at reasonable prices.