Is Jamaica, NY Safe for Travelers?

[dianevill]

Is anyone familiar with Jamaica, NY? I need to go there on business in a couple weeks and wanted to know if it's a pretty safe area. I am staying at a hotel close to JFK airport. When I called the hotel to ask if there were restaurants nearby, the gentleman told me there wasn't anything within walking distance and that I was in a residential neighborhood.

I travel a lot for my full-time job but this is my first trip to NY. I'm a bit nervous about this one...

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Ginger428]

Don't be nervous, its safe. The 2 worst things about Queens is...#1 a thing called The Mets!!!!:yuck: ( huge Yankee fan here) & whenever you're looking for an address #, they all have Streets,Avenues,Roads,Places,Lanes,Boulevards!!!! All kidding aside, there is plenty to do & see, but I'm really familiar with the buses & trains, I would take a cab where ever I wanted to go.

 

[dianevill]

Thanks, Ginger! Got a nice chuckle!

Are there pretty many cabs around?

 

[esavvymom]

I've never been to NY, but a tip I got from traveling to other areas:
find out from the Hotel or from the phone book what the phone number is for the Cab company in the area...if they aren't readily available, have the # preprogrammed into your cell-phone so you can call them when you need to.

 

[Geekgirl69]

Don't be nervous, its safe. The 2 worst things about Queens is...#1 a thing called The Mets!!!!:yuck: ( huge Yankee fan here) & whenever you're looking for an address #, they all have Streets,Avenues,Roads,Places,Lanes,Boulevards!!!! All kidding aside, there is plenty to do & see, but I'm really familiar with the buses & trains, I would take a cab where ever I wanted to go.

I must be the only Bronxite that grew up a Met fan (oh don't get me wrong, they do suck - and have most of my life, lol).

I agree tho about the addresses in Queens.

 

[Ginger428]

Thanks, Ginger! Got a nice chuckle!

Are there pretty many cabs around?

Yes! Also I'm sure the hotel has plenty of numbers for cabs. But taking a yellow cab these days, they have VERY strict rules for themselves ie...they have listing of everything posted on the back of their seats. DUH!! what am I thinking! You've been to Conference? Its the same thing. If you are riding alone at night, all you have to do is take his hack# & name If it will make you feel any safer. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Our reputation is ALOT worse than we really are....