New York City is a culturally diverse melting pot of people from all walks of life living together, and no borough is more representative of the melting pot than Queens. With no major ethnic group holding a 50% majority in population, Queens is the most diverse urban area in the world.
This translates to a borough with world-class food and drink, and cultural experiences from all around the world right outside your door. Queens is becoming an increasingly desirable place to live for New Yorkers. For now, it is less expensive than the other boroughs, with unique attractions that New Yorkers from other boroughs overlook. The diversity of cultures has resulted in Queens being named one of the food capitals of the world. Queens is also home to two beer gardens, numerous bars and nightclubs, and both of New York City’s major airports. Places like Rockaway Beach and Astoria Park provide a natural escape within minutes of the hustle and bustle of the city. If you crave diversity of food, culture, experiences, and people, look no further than Queens. With all the unique benefits that Queens has to offer, many are skipping the question of what borough to move to in New York City, and instead asking what are the best neighborhoods to move to in Queens. In this post, we’ve compiled what we think are the 5 best neighborhoods to move to in Queens,New York.
Astoria
Being a short subway ride away from Midtown, Astoria is gaining popularity among young professionals commuting to Manhattan and middle-class families. Already a melting-pot of cultures, Astoria contains some of the best Greek food in New York City. Astoria is also home to the Bohemian Beer Hall and Garden, and Astoria Park, both of which are some of the nicest spots in New York City to be on a warm, sunny day.
The views of Manhattan are outstanding in this neighborhood, and the best part is that you can find a one-bedroom for $1000-$2000 per month, making Astoria perfect for people who want to spend their time in Manhattan and live affordably.
Bayside
If you’re looking to raise a family within the bounds of New York City, look no further than Bayside. Most housing options are single-family homes, and the schools are excellent. Tudors, ranches, colonials, and contemporary homes with meticulously landscaped lawns line the streets of this neighborhood. The sense of community is strong here, and people take pride in fostering and maintaining the suburban, family-friendly feel. With ample parks, an 18-hole golf course, and nature centers, you can escape from the city without actually going anywhere.
Jamaica Estates
This affluent neighborhood is an ideal mix of city proximity with true countryside-like features. There was no ground leveling when it was first constructed, so the roads are windy, hilly, and unique. Most of the housing offerings in Jamaica are freestanding tudors. The aim was to make the neighborhood reminiscent of an old English village. Most of the neighborhood remains hilly and tree-lined, as the developers had a vision of a residential park. The neighborhood is much less diverse than the rest of Queens but is a quiet, forest-like escape within minutes of Manhattan.
Long Island City
Long Island City is a rapidly growing, artsy neighborhood located right on the East River across from Manhattan. It is the closest neighborhood to Manhattan in Queens, but residents don’t need to leave to experience a thriving food, art and culture scene. MoMA PS1, the Noguchi Museum, Museum of the Moving Image, and Socrates Sculpture Park are all within Long Island City. The neighborhood contains mostly luxury high-rise buildings, with median condo prices of $1.1 million and median rent prices around $2900/month. Numerous options exist for commuting into Manhattan via the Subway, but as businesses start moving their offices here residents are finding they have less and less reason to leave the neighborhood at all.
Sunnyside
Contrasting the glassy, luxury high-rise buildings of Long Island City, Sunnyside is an old-fashioned New York City neighborhood with brownstone 6-story apartment buildings and mom-and-pop businesses. It is the best of classic NYC, without all the hype that makes it unaffordable. With a plethora of dining options and easy transportation to Manhattan, it is an extremely livable neighborhood. Sunnyside Gardens is a planned garden-city community within the Sunnyside neighborhood with tree-lined streets containing suburban, mostly single-family homes. Average monthly rent is $1500-$3000, and median home prices for the neighborhood are around $200,000.
Queens is the Best of Both Worlds
The close proximity to Manhattan offers big city adventure just minutes away, with the ability to form a much stronger sense of community in a cultured and diverse array of different neighborhoods that suit nearly every taste. It is no wonder that Queens is one of the most populated, diverse urban areas in America. If you’re considering moving to Queens, consider also taking some of the stress out of your move by letting us help. Request a Moving Quote today.
