Pros and Cons of Living in Queens

Queens might not be as well known as Manhattan or even Brooklyn, but there’s a lot to love about it. Not only is it the largest in terms of size, it is also the most linguistically and ethnically diverse place in the world and the second most populous county in New York state, behind Kings county. Depending on what neighborhood you choose, you could enjoy a quiet suburban life or a bustling urban environment. Whatever you want, Queens has it all! But before you decide to pack your bags and move to Queens, there are some things you should know.

Pros of Living in Queens

Plenty of Housing Options

Unlike Manhattan, Queens has plenty of space and with it comes easier opportunities to find an apartment or even buy a home. Of course, the more popular neighborhoods like Long Island City and Astoria tend to have much higher demand than locations like Kew Gardens due to its proximity to Manhattan and access to multiple subway lines. Still, unless you’re renting a luxury apartment, you can still find apartments under $2,000 in almost every Queens neighborhood. 

Speaking of housing, you can probably find yourself a house with a small yard in some parts of Queens. Of course, it might not be in the more hip locations, but if you want to own a piece of NYC real estate, there’s no better place than Queens!

More Affordable

While the cost of living in Queens is overall higher than the New York state average, it’s considerably lower than Manhattan and even Brooklyn. Rents tend to be cheaper as do home prices depending on what neighborhood you decide to move to. Groceries and restaurants also trend a tad cheaper. Transportation costs might be where you end up paying more in Queens, though. Compared to other boroughs, Queens doesn’t have as many subway stops, especially as you get deeper into the borough. Many residents do own cars so if you decide to move to one of these locations, be prepared to either own a car or find a place next to a subway stop or bus route.

Great Place for Families

Queens is one of the best boroughs to raise a family. It offers lots of green spaces including Flushing Meadows/Corona Park, the fourth largest park in NYC and home to the famous Unisphere. Of course, there are plenty of other smaller parks including Alley Pond Park, the second-largest public park in Queens and boasts beautiful woodlands, and several bodies of water including creeks, ponds, a lake, and fresh and saltwater marshes. 

Besides the parks, Queens overall is significantly safer than the other NYC boroughs. Crime overall is much lower with some neighborhoods having lower crime than the national average. The public school system is also highly ranked at 24th in the nation. The schools are known for their safety, academic performance, and quality teachers.

Lots of Great Food

Being the most diverse place in the world also means you get a very diverse food scene! You can grab a bite of almost every culture you can think of whether it’s Greek or Chinese or West Indian. You’ll never run out of new things to try. Plus, local restaurant prices tend to be on the cheaper side in most Queens neighborhoods, especially the small hole-in-the-walls. While almost every neighborhood has a good mix of food options, you should go to the following places if you’re hankering for a lot of options:

• Flushing – the current epicenter for Chinese immigration. If you’re looking for some Chinese eats, walk along Roosevelt Avenue for some great options. 
• Jackson Heights  – for those looking for authentic Indian food, Jackson Heights not only provides great restaurants but also a great selection of Indian spices.
• Richmond Hill and/or Ozone Park – want a good roti? Then stop by one of these neighborhoods as they are home to what people refer to as Little Guyana. While you’re there, check out the many Chinese-Guyanese restaurants or the Trinidadian bakeries in the area.
• Astoria – if you’re looking for a place that is convenient to Manhattan and has some great Greek food then look no further than Astoria. Home to the second largest Greek population outside of Greece you can experience authentic Greek food from dolmas to souvlakis

Cons of Living in Queens

Lack of Subway Access

There are a total of 81 subway stations throughout Queens. This might sound like a lot, but consider Manhattan has 151 and Brooklyn has 170! While Queens does have more stations than Bronx (70), the majority of stations in Queens are located on the western end of the borough. The further north and east you go, the fewer trains there are. In fact, some areas of Queens don’t have any direct access to subway stations. While there are bus routes through these areas, it’s not always a convenient option. Naturally, if you live in areas that do have access to the subway, you can expect to see higher rents and/or home prices.

Heavy Traffic

Compared to the rest of NYC, Queens has above-average car ownership and almost everyone commutes to work. If you plan on doing the same, keep in mind that you’ll be dealing with very heavy traffic during rush hour. The most common congestion point is Belt Parkway, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and of course, the Queensboro Bridge. Due to the high number of cars on the street, accident rates also tend to be higher in Queens. 

Fewer Entertainment Options

Sure, Queens does have neighborhoods that offer plenty of amenities including an active nightlife, but it’s considered the suburbs of NYC for a reason. Bars and lounges tend to be much more subdued than in Manhattan and the further east you go, the fewer options you’ll have. There’s also less overall entertainment to choose from though that doesn’t mean you can’t go to a movie theater or visit a local museum. Queens also has its own zoo and botanical garden, though it is much smaller than the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden.

Get Ready for your Queen’s Move!

If you’re looking to move to Queens then you’ll want to have a reliable NYC moving company to help! NYC Great Movers has moved hundreds of customers across every neighborhood in Queens. We offer basic moving services along with additional options like storage, packing and unpacking, and more! Give us a call and we’ll help create a moving plan that meets your needs and budget.

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