While a lot of NYC residents like to make fun of Queens, it is the second most populous borough, has the most diverse population, and has the most diversified economy of all five boroughs in NYC. It is home to both of NYC’s airports: JFK and LaGuardia, and also hosts the US Open every summer. Besides all this, it’s a borough steeped in history and culture so no matter what neighborhood you move to, you can experience a piece of NYC history.
While there are some rough areas in Queens, overall the borough is quite safe boasting relatively low crime rates and a strong sense of community. If you are looking to move to Queens, the following guide can help you find a perfect place to live.
Astoria
Famous for its cultural diversity, access to great restaurants and nightlife, and easy commute to Midtown Manhattan, Astoria is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Queens for young professionals and families alike to move to. Despite being a bustling neighborhood, Astoria has a lower crime rate than the city overall with very low incidences of violent crime. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some precautions such as not walking alone late at night and making sure you are aware of your surroundings. These are good tips regardless of how safe an area is!
Astoria is considered one of the best places to live in NYC as it offers a densurban feel while still being a close-knit community. It has great schools and family-friendly activities as well as plenty of parks, restaurants, shops, and bars. It is also home to the Museum of the Moving Image which is housed in the historic Kaufman Astoria Studios and focuses on the art, history, and technique of early film, TV and digital media. If you’re a pianist, you’re in luck as the Steinway & Sons factory is also located in Astoria and allows for limited tours of the factory. Living in Astoria nowadays is not as cheap as it was 20-30 years ago. Expect to pay around $2,400 for a one bedroom apartment.
Bayside
If you want to have an affordable waterfront property, Bayside might be a great option. Located next to Little Neck Bay and on the border between Queens and Long Island, Bayside is a picturesque and safe Queens neighborhood. Ranked as one of the safest neighborhoods in all of NYC, its crime rates are lower than both the city and national average and it has the lowest rate of violent crimes of any area in NYC. This is due in part to the demographics – mostly families and retirement aged people – as well as being a tight-knit community.
If you’re looking for a place to get away from the busy streets of Manhattan, then Bayside is a great choice It’s home to several parks including the 655 acre Alley Pond Park, the second-largest public park in Queens, home to the Alley Pond Environmental Center, with a library, museum and animal exhibits. Besides this, there are plenty of smaller parks you can enjoy including Crocheron Park and Little Bay Park. If you end up moving to Bayside, expect to pay around $2,400 for a one-bedroom apartment although the closer you get to the water, the more you can expect to pay. The majority of residents own their home and if that’s the route you want to take, you should expect to pay around $850,000 for a home.
Forest Hills
Located in the central portion of Queens, Forest Hills is known for its safety and for being one of the richest neighborhoods in Queens. Overall, Forest Hills is a very safe place to live with crime rates below the national and NYC average. People often attribute its low crime rate due to its seclusion and for being a ‘suburb within a city.’ Interestingly, it’s not really secluded as you have access to subway lines, the LIRR, and plenty of bus routes.
Forest Hills offers a wide range of amenities from parks to a good nightlife scene. You can access Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which was once home to the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fair and the iconic Unisphere. If you want to really feel like you’re out in nature, check out Forest Park, a 538-acre park, the third largest park in Queens. It contains 165 acres of trees, including the largest continuous oak forest in Queen with some of the trees being over a century old. Considered one of the best places to live in NYC, rents are surprisingly affordable with one-bedrooms averaging around $2,200 and houses selling for around $700,000.
Auburndale
Located in the northeastern part of Queens, Auburndale is located just west of Bayside. This cozy neighborhood has some of the prettiest houses in Queens with styles ranging from Tudors to Dutch colonials to Cape Cod. As a mostly residential neighborhood, it’s incredibly safe with overall crime ranking below both the city and national average. It’s a perfect place for people who want to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet away from the city noise.
As a residential neighborhood, there’s not much in the way of nightlife, though you can access NYC thanks to the LIRR Port Washington Line. Transportation-wise, you can hop on the 7 train at nearby Flushing and take one of the local buses to get around Queens. Your best bet, though, is to have a car so you can get around to locations like Kissena Park for a picnic along the lake with your family or for a round of golf with your buddies. Most folks own a home in Auburndale with prices ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. If you can find a place to rent, you can expect to pay around $2,300 for a one-bedroom.
Laurelton
Formerly part of Jamaica, Laurelton is named after the Long Island Railroad stop nearby, which in turn was named for the laurels that grew in the area over a century ago. This large, quiet, residential neighborhood boasts tree-lined streets, beautiful houses, and crime rates below the national and city average. The safety of the neighborhood is thanks to the close-knit community and local events to further unite neighbors.
Laurelton is conveniently located to JFK and several major highways, making it a great place to live if you travel a lot or just want to drive out of the city on the weekends. While there isn’t much in the way of nightlife here, it’s close to Springfield Park, which provides you with access to green space, sports facilities, and outdoor activities. You can also hop on the LIRR station at Laurelton and go into NYC or further out to Long Island proper to hit the beaches. And while there are some buses, your best bet is to own a car if you don’t want to worry about the LIRR or bus schedule. Most residents own their home with the average price of a house sitting around $700,000.
Make Your Move to Queens
There are plenty of other neighborhoods in Queens, but these ones listed above are some of the most highly sought after and safe areas you can find. Of course, Queens itself is relatively safe so don’t use that as your only filter. Make sure you include other things like access to public transportation, whether you want to live somewhere with a lot of amenities or somewhere quiet, and so on. Once you’re ready to make your move, give NYC Great Movers a call for all your moving needs!
FAQ
Should I get a car if I move to Queens?
It depends on where you decide to move to. Many neighborhoods in Queens do not have good access to public transportation so if you move there, you should invest in a car. Others, like Astoria, have better access so you can get by without a car.
What should I consider before moving to Queens?
Moving to Queens can feel like moving to another city. Despite being connected with Brooklyn, Queens has far fewer public transportation options and it is much more residential and suburban. Of course, some locations, especially those closer to Manhattan, are much more developed so if you’re looking for a place that doesn’t have a long commute and has plenty of amenities, you’ll want something that’s closer to Manhattan. Otherwise, you can expect much longer train rides and mostly residential areas the further into Queens you go.
