Astoria Queens

Does anyone know anything about it? DH and I looked at a couple of apartments yesterday and loved them but know nothing about the area. You can take the N or W train to either Astoria Blvd or Ditmars stops and it's about the same walking distance. (10 min to the apartment)
Thanks!!!

I lived near the Astoria Blvd stop (on 18th street & Hoyt)

LOVED THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I was across the street from the park.

And I lived there about 10 years ago... I can imagine it's only gotten better since LIC has become a *hot spot*

I found it easier to take a bus from 21st to queensboro plaza and catch the 7 from there... (instead of walking to the N/R and changing at queensboro plaza)

---

Posted by CourtandJon

Does anyone know anything about it? DH and I looked at a couple of apartments yesterday and loved them but know nothing about the area. You can take the N or W train to either Astoria Blvd or Ditmars stops and it's about the same walking distance. (10 min to the apartment)
Thanks!!!

---

I grew up in astoria, only moved a few short years ago but Dh still lived there up until the wedding and even though i moved i still spend more time in astoria than where i live.

I will say it has changed ALOT the past few years. You have alot more city people moving to astoria now. I like astoria bc you have your residential areas plus you have very commercial areas. Theres ALOT of great restaurants, i know so many ppl from manhattan and different parts who come to certain restaurants there. ANother thing i like about astoria is that the neighborhood is very diverse, you have every nationality. Growing up there it was a big european community, as you might know it was known as little greece, but for many years now it has really become a melting pot. My HS which was in astoria was even in the newspaper for having the most nationalities in a school. So bc of that you will also have so many varities of restaurants. I grew up on ditmars boulevard, its very lively and you feel safe anytime you might get home, even if you take the train home late. On ditmars theres always people out no matter what time it is.

Theres lots of lounges and bars to go to. Theres lots of cafes with outdoor seating.

You have steinway street for the shopping which is just blocks and blocks of stores but ill be honest and say im not crazy about many of the stores. They do have a few good ones so its not that bad. You also have astoria park, they have a pool but honestly i wouldnt go to the pool lol. BUt tennis courts, basketball courts, park for kids and big picnic area, you can even go jogging there. Then theres a strip on the water where many ppl go park there car and hang out by the water, has great view of NYC.

I also LOVED how close it was to the city, would take me 13 mins on the dot from ditmars blvd to lexington station on the N train. I miss that, i still live in queens but you cant compare to getting to the city in under 15 mins

is there anything specific you want to know about astoria?

A lot of my friends lived there for years after college. It was really nice. I did get my tires slashed there once, but they hit the whole block (we think it was a local tire shop that hired someone), and that can happen anywhere.

Oh, ditto pp about it being a safe neighborhood at night. We were always very comfortable coming home.

I grew up here Court!!! After college I lived a few other places but somehow I keep coming back to Astoria. Real Estate has gone cuckoo here over the years but its still a great neighborhood, and better value than anything in NYC.

Its an awesome melting pot of a neighborhood, some sections are nicer than others, but I love it up near Ditmars, its a little quieter than my area (around Steinway and 30th Ave).

Let us know if there's anything specific we can help you with!!!!!

We live in Astoria and have lived here for quite a few years now. We live right off Ditmars, very close to the train. I love it, it has everything you need in a very close proximity and if you work in the city, especially midtown, it's a straight shot on the N/W right into midtown, about 10 minutes.

The people in the neighborhood are great, they look out for each other. It's a great mix of families, old folks and young people. It's safe, it's friendly....it's very lively, tons and tons of fantastic restaurants. And you're also right by Astoria Park which has a great track, walking/running paths right along the water. I would highly recommend the area to anyone.

---

Posted by Colette

I grew up here Court!!! After college I lived a few other places but somehow I keep coming back to Astoria. Real Estate has gone cuckoo here over the years but its still a great neighborhood, and better value than anything in NYC.

Its an awesome melting pot of a neighborhood, some sections are nicer than others, but I love it up near Ditmars, its a little quieter than my area (around Steinway and 30th Ave).

Let us know if there's anything specific we can help you with!!!!!

---

yeah after they saw alot of city people moving into astoria, the real estate there has gone nuts. I remember all of a sudden houses on my block went from $300k to $800k. And now that is the norm. Even new apartments they're building are ridiculously priced. They have these real small condos ranging from $500k and up. Its good if youre looking to sell, DH's parents want to sell the house theyve had for 30 years so they'll make an insane profit bc of how much its worth now, even with the market being the way it is at the moment. But to buy at the present time can get ridiculous in astoria. I often think about moving back but you get so little for alot of money. Upper ditmars area, in the 70's streets, you can still find apartments to buy at decent prices

Thanks soooooooo much girls!!!!! We are so confused about what to do right now- every week we change our minds, last week it was forest hills, this week it's astoria, and just an hour ago DH mentioned he may want to stay in the city Our lease is up in May but they may let us get out early because they think they can actually get more for our apt- and we pay ALOT so I have no idea who would actually pay even more for it- but they seem to think its possible! So anyway, I will keep your girls posted and if you have anymore info on Astoria I would love to hear it! THANKS!!!!!!

I lived in Astoria for about 6 years after college and work there for about a 1 and 1/2 now. Like the other girls have said, Astora is a great place! I would recommend it. But, there is one thing that I need to make clear: PARKING SUCKKS ASSS!!! Since you and DH are coming from the city, you probably don't even have a car, but if you do, seriously look into buying a parking spot b/c on the street parking is HELLL! I am not exaggerating. Best of luck in your search.

I spent most of my life in AStoria/Jackson Heights and LOVED it while I was there. My family moved to LI after HS and I was devastated. Interestingly enough, I wouldn't move back for anything! Yes the millions of cafes and restaurants are nice, the long strip of stores on Steinway (which by the way have changed DRASTICALLY over the years and pretty much stink now), the drive to Astoria Park is fun and hanging by the water is nice for the few minutes it lasts (I wouldn't go in the water at Astoria Pool if you paid me....take that advice and run with it LOL), the growing up with 50 kids around your age and having them to hang out with at the parks day in and day out are nice BUT the overcrowded schools that are far away (HS in particular) is something to think about when planning a family. The over-crowdedness and lack of privacy is another. The diversity is nice, but sometimes it IS nice to be able to communicate with the majority of your neighbors (not to sound mean TRUST me I'm just being honest for you). The parking is just ridiculous....don't bother getting a car. Driving around for a half hour or more looking for a spot and then having to walk back home really stinks.

So, yes there are ups and downs....it's really up to the lifestyle you'd prefer. I hope my account helps in some way lol

It's not Astoria but it's a cute town near it. Called east Northport. It's been looking for you since 99.
Cute town. Not too big. Close to all!!!
heheh

---

Posted by apriladam9206

It's not Astoria but it's a cute town near it. Called east Northport. It's been looking for you since 99.
Cute town. Not too big. Close to all!!!
heheh

---

awwwwwwww hahaha I will be back soon- I promise!!

---

Posted by twinkletoes807

I lived in Astoria for about 6 years after college and work there for about a 1 and 1/2 now. Like the other girls have said, Astora is a great place! I would recommend it. But, there is one thing that I need to make clear: PARKING SUCKKS ASSS!!! Since you and DH are coming from the city, you probably don't even have a car, but if you do, seriously look into buying a parking spot b/c on the street parking is HELLL! I am not exaggerating. Best of luck in your search.

---

also depends where in astoria. The block i grew up on was a bit of a PITA. DH lived just 2 blocks away and theres always LOTS of parking by him. Most of the houses on his block have a garage, they actually have 2 car garage or parking spots in the back of the house. I never had to look for parking when going to his house. So depends where you live in astoria. Some parts are annoying and other parts are torture. Not as bad as sunnyside or forest hills i think and again depends where in FH.

---

Posted by CourtandJon

Thanks soooooooo much girls!!!!! We are so confused about what to do right now- every week we change our minds, last week it was forest hills, this week it's astoria, and just an hour ago DH mentioned he may want to stay in the city Our lease is up in May but they may let us get out early because they think they can actually get more for our apt- and we pay ALOT so I have no idea who would actually pay even more for it- but they seem to think its possible! So anyway, I will keep your girls posted and if you have anymore info on Astoria I would love to hear it! THANKS!!!!!!

---

well i grew up in astoria but now live in the kew gardens/forest hills area so i can help compare the two places for you.

as far as the commute, astoria is ALOT easier. I know some people say that FH is close to the city and not a bad commute, now its not horrible but at times can be a pain, especially when i grew up in astoria and it was just a 10 min ride to the city. Now to take the train from Forest hills, to me can be annoying sometimes bc longer than what i was used to. THe LIRR is fast into the city but also depends how far you'll live from the LIRR and it will also cost alot more.

If youre looking for an apartment then forest hills is much better. There are condos and co-ops EVERYWHERE. In astoria you didnt have many, recently they have been building alot of new buildings, but i will say that most of those new apartments they are asking for alot of money, for the amount they are asking you might as well buy a house for 500k-600k rather than a small 2 bedroom. In Forest hills theres lots of buildings both high rises and pre-war buildings in all ranges.

Forest hills also has austin street with lots of restaurants and stores and the stores on austin street are soooo much better than the stores on steinway street.

schools are better in FH, but then again with astoria it depends. You do have overcrowded public schools but then again you also have st. johns prep, mcclancy which are good schools so you dont have to go the public school route. But even with public schools in astoria, there are crowded ones, but theres also many other choices they have. My elementary school was small and there were only 2 classes per grade. DH went to a real good magnet school that also wasnt crowded. As far as HS, like i said you have st. johns and McClancy. I went to bryant which i wouldnt suggest, it is overcrowded and so is LIC HS, and i had alot of friends who went to schools in other neighborhoods such as st. francis in bayside or many went to schools in the city. But then again not sure if you'll even live there that long so not sure if its a concern of yours.

Parking, if you live anywhere near austin street then parking REALLY is a nightmare. Since i lived in both places ill say that in FH certain parts are much worse for parking than astoria. And in astoria not all parts are bad with parking, dh grew up by the ditmars area but by the 40's and theres parking everywhere. So if theres houses with garages or parking in the back then keep that in mind bc you'll know there will be alot of spots.

As far as things to do, Forest hills does have alot of restaurants but overall i think astoria has a bit more. Forest hills has some good restaurants and i love going to eat on austin street. But overall all around astoria there are tons of places and theres alot more bars, lounges and cafes in astoria, not sure if thats whats important to you.

Long island city which is right by astoria has changed so much and really a great neighborhood now. Its a young trendy place, and its an environment i would love to live in now. Theres beautiful new buildings everywhere, problem is to find a decent priced one. I saw 1 br apts for $700k which is insane. BUt theres apartments in 2 family houses that you can get at a decent price

I agree with MrsDtobe that it depends on the lifestyle you want. DH and I want to live somewhere that has lots to do, good place for a young couples and somewhere we can just walk to restaurants, go out for drinks. We really are not looking for VERy family oriented environments yet, we have time until then and for now want to have a different lifestyle.

---

Posted by Espo22

---

Posted by CourtandJon

Thanks soooooooo much girls!!!!! We are so confused about what to do right now- every week we change our minds, last week it was forest hills, this week it's astoria, and just an hour ago DH mentioned he may want to stay in the city Our lease is up in May but they may let us get out early because they think they can actually get more for our apt- and we pay ALOT so I have no idea who would actually pay even more for it- but they seem to think its possible! So anyway, I will keep your girls posted and if you have anymore info on Astoria I would love to hear it! THANKS!!!!!!

---

well i grew up in astoria but now live in the kew gardens/forest hills area so i can help compare the two places for you.

as far as the commute, astoria is ALOT easier. I know some people say that FH is close to the city and not a bad commute, now its not horrible but at times can be a pain, especially when i grew up in astoria and it was just a 10 min ride to the city. Now to take the train from Forest hills, to me can be annoying sometimes bc longer than what i was used to. THe LIRR is fast into the city but also depends how far you'll live from the LIRR and it will also cost alot more.

If youre looking for an apartment then forest hills is much better. There are condos and co-ops EVERYWHERE. In astoria you didnt have many, recently they have been building alot of new buildings, but i will say that most of those new apartments they are asking for alot of money, for the amount they are asking you might as well buy a house for 500k-600k rather than a small 2 bedroom. In Forest hills theres lots of buildings both high rises and pre-war buildings in all ranges.

Forest hills also has austin street with lots of restaurants and stores and the stores on austin street are soooo much better than the stores on steinway street.

schools are better in FH, but then again with astoria it depends. You do have overcrowded public schools but then again you also have st. johns prep, mcclancy which are good schools so you dont have to go the public school route. But even with public schools in astoria, there are crowded ones, but theres also many other choices they have. My elementary school was small and there were only 2 classes per grade. DH went to a real good magnet school that also wasnt crowded. As far as HS, like i said you have st. johns and McClancy. I went to bryant which i wouldnt suggest, it is overcrowded and so is LIC HS, and i had alot of friends who went to schools in other neighborhoods such as st. francis in bayside or many went to schools in the city. But then again not sure if you'll even live there that long so not sure if its a concern of yours.

Parking, if you live anywhere near austin street then parking REALLY is a nightmare. Since i lived in both places ill say that in FH certain parts are much worse for parking than astoria. And in astoria not all parts are bad with parking, dh grew up by the ditmars area but by the 40's and theres parking everywhere. So if theres houses with garages or parking in the back then keep that in mind bc you'll know there will be alot of spots.

As far as things to do, Forest hills does have alot of restaurants but overall i think astoria has a bit more. Forest hills has some good restaurants and i love going to eat on austin street. But overall all around astoria there are tons of places and theres alot more bars, lounges and cafes in astoria, not sure if thats whats important to you.

Long island city which is right by astoria has changed so much and really a great neighborhood now. Its a young trendy place, and its an environment i would love to live in now. Theres beautiful new buildings everywhere, problem is to find a decent priced one. I saw 1 br apts for $700k which is insane. BUt theres apartments in 2 family houses that you can get at a decent price

I agree with MrsDtobe that it depends on the lifestyle you want. DH and I want to live somewhere that has lots to do, good place for a young couples and somewhere we can just walk to restaurants, go out for drinks. We really are not looking for VERy family oriented environments yet, we have time until then and for now want to have a different lifestyle.

---

Wow- you are amazing Thank you!!!

And thank you everyone for all of your help and advice!! I reallyy appreciate it!!!!!

You're welcome and good luck

to be honest, either place you pick forest hills or astoria, you will love. Theres lots to do in both places and lots of pro's for both.