You Told Us is a regular feature in which we highlight comments from users in the communities DNAinfo covers.
QUEENS — Real estate experts at StreetEasy predicted last month that Jamaica will the next hottest neighborhood this year, after the area experienced a significant increase in asking rents, sale prices and population.
The median sale price in the neighborhood, conveniently located near JFK Airport, major highways and express trains to Manhattan, rose by 39.3 percent, to $299,500 last year.
The median asking rent in 2015 was $1,750, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to 2014, according to StreetEasy.
Jamaica's population also grew by 8.5 percent in the past 3 years.
Numerous apartment buildings and hotels have also been planned for the neighborhood.
Readers responded to the news on social media, expressing a wide range of opinions and emotions.
Some social media users said they were thrilled about the report and that the neighborhood is finally getting some recognition:
Jamaica tops @streeteasy's list as the Hottest #NYC Neighborhood in 2016! https://t.co/NrqRK6qaQ9 #Jamaica #housing #affordablehousing
— Jamaica, Queens (@GJDCPrez) December 18, 2015They are saying Jamaica Queens is the next hottest neighborhood in NYC! https://t.co/zWt8bTDDR0
— FordLincolnofQueens (@fordofqueens) December 16, 2015 Real estate agencies immediately seized the opportunity to advertise their services:
Contact Rapid Realty Jamaica to find your new home in NYC's Hottest New Neighborhood https://t.co/ZbOJQ6i4se
— Rapid Realty (@RapidRealty) December 18, 2015But a large group of readers suggested that the report seemed premature and unrealistic and their comments were mostly doubtful and cynical.
- Neighborhood Square user drdevine1:
► "Not gonna happen for years to come!!!"
- Neighborhood Square user CleanUpJamaicaQueens:
► "...the strong growth is due to the exorbitant prices in both Manhattan, Brooklyn and parts of Queens like Long Island City and Astoria. People have no choice but to come to areas that they would never think of like Jamaica, like Corona, like Elmhurst... PLUS, lets also be a little realistic, all this media talk of Jamaica is being driven by the powerful real estate lobby, who wants to take advantage and exploit an area..."
STREET EASY PREDICTS JAMAICA WILL EMERGE IN 2016 AS HOTTEST NEIGHBORHOOD – REALLY????? https://t.co/iSDYUNJsuk pic.twitter.com/8cM1WCMAzc
— Joe Moretti (@CleanUpJamaica) December 15, 2015Still others said they worried that the changes will bring gentrification to the area, making it less affordable.
Just read that Jamaica, Queens may be the next "hottest" NYC neighborhood to live in. You gentrifiers ruin EVERYTHING
— Yannique (@itsYanniJ) December 17, 2015NOBODY from Jamaica should be excited about this.. The Next Hottest Neighborhood In NYC Is... Jamaica, Queens? https://t.co/MgQd3rCDsO
— Briana C. (@itsshortydoowop) December 18, 2015
