Voices of Jackson Heights

Some neighborhoods are easier to understand when you move through them.

In this episode, Raphaël talks about Jackson Heights in motion. Running after work. Weekend routines. A stretch of avenue where, in just a few minutes, you pass games, conversations, music, dogs, bikes, and people from everywhere.

What starts as a running group slowly reveals something bigger about how this neighborhood works, and who it makes room for.

This episode is shared in French.
The full English translation appears below.

Hi, my name is Raphaël. I am originally from Nice, France, and I have been living in Jackson Heights for more than three years.

One of the things I appreciate most about the neighborhood is the pedestrian space along 34th Avenue, especially for running with the Queens Distance group in the evenings after work or on weekends. There are dozens of people who run together regularly several times a week, and sometimes there are activities afterward like pizza, hockey, or going to a bar.

The group reflects the neighborhood very well. There are people of many different nationalities, all ages, and all kinds of professions. Everyone is very friendly and inclusive, and you feel welcome immediately.

Even just moving along 34th Avenue is interesting. In only a few minutes, you see so many different things.

There are people playing cricket. There is soccer. There is basketball. Many people are walking their dogs. There are bikes, scooters, and skateboards. There are even people practicing traditional dances from South America and Central America.

Even for New York, I think it is quite rare to find this much diversity across just two or three kilometers.

And that is what makes the neighborhood truly unique and enjoyable.

What is Voices of Jackson Heights?

Jackson Heights is not one story - it’s hundreds.

Voices of Jackson Heights is a short-form podcast capturing the everyday moments, memories, and experiences that make this neighborhood in New York City feel like home. Told entirely in the voices of people who live in, move through, and keep returning to Jackson Heights, each episode reflects on a small but meaningful personal experience.

You’ll hear stories in many languages, across generations and cultures.
Transcripts and English translations are included in the show notes for non-English episodes.

Salut, je m'appelle Raphaël. Je suis originaire de Nice en France et j'habite à Jackson height depuis plus de trois ans. Maintenant, une des choses que j'apprécie le plus dans le quartier, c'est la piéton de la e avenue, en particulier pour courir avec queen distance le soir après le travail ou le week end, on a plusieurs dizaines de personnes qui courent régulièrement plusieurs fois par semaine avec de temps en temps des activités après la course du type pizza à hockey ou bar.

Et le groupe reflète assez bien le quartier avec des gens de plein de nationalité différente de tous les âges, tous types de profession, tout le monde est vraiment très amical et inclusif et on se sent bienvenu immédiatement. Et même le trajet sur la e avenue est super intéressant ou en seulement quelques minutes, tu vois vraiment de tout.

Il y a des gens qui jouent au cricket. Il y a du football, il y a du basket ball. Il y a beaucoup de gens qui promènent des chiens. Il y a des vélos, des trottins, du skateboard. Oui, on a même des gens qui pratiquent certaines danses traditionnelles d'Amérique du sud d'Amérique centrale. Et même pour New York, je pense que c'est assez rare de trouver autant de diversité sur deux ou trois kilomètres.

Et ça rend le quartier vraiment très unique et agréable.