Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

bridetobe04 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:07 PM

Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

FH and I are gonig to be moving to Queens shortly. We arent sure which area though. We do know that we want a nice area that I would be able to walk to the subway to get to the city for work, and he works in Little Neck, so it should be close to that. We are also just starting out, so money is a little tight. Any info on certain areas would be great! Thanks ladies!!

jennbaby Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:10 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Middle Village, It is a nice neighborhood & it is close to the train.

Olgaki Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:11 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I always liked middle village! Do you need a subway or are you willing to take a bus to the subway?

Fran M Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:12 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Little Neck is great. I used to live there. Are you looking to rent or buy?

bridetobe04 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:12 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

id like to be able to take the subway straight from home, but im open :) thanks!

Niecey Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:16 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I lived in an apartment in Astoria and loved it for the convenience to the city (15 minutes for me to 59 and Lex!). It was perfect for me. Where I lived I could take one of three train lines which was great (N,W or R). Also, there are lots of restaurants and cafes all in walking distance. I loved that I could walk to the subway, my supermarket, fish/veggie markets, bakery, laundromat, etc. I really enjoyed living there. I never felt like I moved out of NYC. Parking though isn't the best where I lived although it depends where you go in Astoria - some are better than others. We just paid for a spot. Also very close to GCP.

anna Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:20 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I have to agree that Middle Village is a CLEAN, and beautiful area, excellent schools, but Have to say A PAIN to get to!
The M train isnt it a trek to take that train into the city? Then theres the option of a bus to the R train? and driving there seems endless sometimes. Getting off the Jackie Robinson and driving through Metropolitan locally.. maybe i need to learn a few shortcuts ??
I do have to agree with the recommendation though. Juniper Park is one of the most beautiful and cleanest parks in Queens, hands down!

Whitestone and Bayside are also very nice.

Unfortunately, as we all know, with 'location' comes higher prices.

Good luck in your search. I hope you find something perfect !!

ETA: I grew up in Astoria. I agree about all its plusses like Niecey stated (cafe's, distance to everything, GREAT food shopping and Steinway Street!!). However, having seen the long term changes there over the past 25 years, I wouldnt pick Astoria as a top choice if this is a purchase of a home to raise a family in long term. JMO, coming from a born and bred Astoria girl. My parents still own a home there, and now its strictly income for them. They have moved to MV. Thats just my story and my opinion

Scoop Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:21 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I live in whitestone and love it...however no trains! I take the express bus into NYC. Bayside is also a nice are and the LIRR is close by.

anna Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:25 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Just a thought, it really depends on whats more important to you, bigger living space, location, price etc. You may choose a smaller place to live in a better area, or you may choose a bigger place to live in a more average area. Are you thinking of condo, coops, homes? What type of purchase/rental? Certain things are harder to come by in certain areas and will vary greatly in prices.

nycchic_24 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:25 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I live on the border of Long Island City and Astoria and although I have lived here all my life, I like Anna, have seen the changes first hand and would not recommend buying a home here.

I work in Bayside, well actually its considered Auburndale and although the prices are up there it is an absolutely beautiful neighborhood with great schools. Northern Blvd is the main street which leads to everything and there are a couple of bus lines but the LIRR but no subways as far as I know of. The neighborhood is clean, nice people, old fashioned..from what I see when at work but I know dh and I were shopping around out there and it was on the pricey side..but what isnt these days?

jennbaby Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:26 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Anna I will teach you a few tricks

bridetobe04 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:27 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

thanks so much for all the info girls! FH and I are just looking to rent, and only to live there for a few years until we can buy a house. So we wont be settling down permanently in that location. We are thinking Astoria, but I just wanted some other options! What are the good areas in Astoria? And what is the rent like for a 1 bedroom?

jennbaby Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:27 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Although I don't live there, but I used to date someone who did & I worked there, I see the changes in Astoria, not to my liking. But it is great to commute to NYC & some areas are stIll to my liking there.

CatchI22 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:30 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I live in fresh meadows... which is nice but hard to get to and fro (express bus or subway to bus). I have friends who live in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens and love it, can take the subway and there is lots to do there. Bayside is also great, great train line!

Sassyz75 Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:32 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I lived in Astoria for 4 years... I really loved it. there are all the reasons Niecey stated AND I found that the neighborhood was VERY safe. I never worried about taking the train home late at night or walking to my apartment. I found everyone to be very friendly and all the people in the stores (veggie, fish, butcher) new my name..

I know of the 'changes' you guys are talking about- but it's a diverse neighborhood... I think it's proximity to the city will ALWAYS make Astoria a great place to be and a great place to invest.

As for places to live, I say stay North of Broadway, up through Ditmars.. and between Crescent and 38th Street....

What-Now Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:33 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Forest Hills and Kew Gardens are great! Both nice neighborhoods and a lot of restaurants, movie theaters etc., and many diffrent subway lines go there!

janatlantica Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:36 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

I lived in both Forest Hills and Bayside and although I am East end woman right now, I miss them both dearly! Both are GREAT places to live in! ( me missing Queens!)

anna Posted: Jul 23, 2003 05:36 PM

Re: Need advice: Going to move to queens... which area?

Jennbaby, dont tell me to take the LIE to Grand Ave, I HATE and FEAR the LIE . Driving on the LIE , I am a nervous wreck with the trucks and cracks in the road

--
So for renting, and a short term thing, Astoria is GREAT. Steinway Street has GREAT shopping, and the homes/apartments in that area seem to be quiet blocks. The best thing to do is take a few drives around and see how busy blocks are and how many kids (although I LOVE KIDS, it gets ridiculous when they camp out ON your car and the teens are out drinking on the stoops all nite and they are very disrespectful, at least in the case by my parents home) VERY busy block 'foot-traffic'-wise.

Cost of rent. The apartments in my parents building are quite small. Its 3 rooms, most make 2 of the rooms bedrooms, others make 1 bedroom the other a LR. Rent for this TINY apartment, we charge, depending on the condition, we renovate as tenants leave, id say between 1,000 and 1,400. Unfortunately thats what the market calls for, and it breaks my heart to see that this is what this costs!

Try not to spend too much on rent. Save for your home!