Living in Queens or Brooklyn used to be reserved for people who didn’t have the money to live in Manhattan. Nowadays, it’s almost the preferred option as these areas are often less-rushed, quieter, offer more space, and have just as many amenities as Manhattan. If you’re making a local move, it might be hard to choose between the two most popular boroughs.
Despite being on the same island, New Yorkers know that Queens and Brooklyn are quite different from each other. Still, both have experienced rapid growth and development over the years. In fact, Brooklyn has overtaken Manhattan as the trendiest borough in New York City. So, how do you choose your next home? Let’s take a look at these two boroughs. Once you’ve made your choice, make sure to research your local Brookyn movers or Queens movers to make your NYC move easier.
Housing
Rent tends to be the single largest expense for most New Yorkers. Real estate comes at a premium regardless of whether you choose Brooklyn or Queens. It’s one of the reasons why so many New Yorkers have roommates. With that said, if you’re going for affordability, Queens had Brooklyn beat. The average cost to rent in Brooklyn is around $3,000 compared to $2,600 for Queens.
Of course, you can find cheaper options in both boroughs, but you might be giving up other amenities such as entertainment, nightlife, and access to public transportation. One of the most underrated neighborhoods in Brooklyn is Bay Ridge. Located south of Sunset Park, the area offers some amazing waterfront views at a fraction of the cost you might find in Manhattan. While it’s located on the SE tip of Brooklyn, getting to Manhattan is a breeze and takes around 20 minutes to the Financial District or 30-40 minutes to Midtown. If you’re thinking about Queens you might want to take a look at Flushing if you want affordable apartments. This neighborhood is one of the most diverse areas in New York City, making it great for adventurous foodies.
If you want to live in the more ‘hip’ neighborhoods of Brooklyn or Queens, you can expect to pay much more than the average rent. For example, the median rent in Dumbo, Brooklyn is around $5,000. Why the high price tag? Dumbo has amazing stores, restaurants, and a nice view of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge. Plus, it has access to several different train lines so you can easily travel to anywhere in New York City.
The counterpart to Dumbo would most likely be Long Island City in Queens. This fast-growing neighborhood has some of the best views of Manhattan. Thanks to its rapid development, it has also attracted plenty of young professionals and with them has come plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars. Its proximity to Midtown Manhattan also makes it a popular location for commuters who don’t want to have a 30+ minute commute. So how much does all that cost? Median rents in LIC hover around $3,500.
As you can see, Queens definitely wins if you’re looking for something more affordable. Even on the higher end, it tends to skew lower than Brooklyn. And it’s no surprise as Brooklyn became home to the most expensive zip code in New York City! Why is Queens cheaper on the whole? Keep reading.
Commuting
Every New Yorker might grumble about the subway system, but it still has a daily ridership of approximately 4.3 million. The NYC transit system is one of the largest and oldest in the world. It connects Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn together all at a reasonably low price when compared to other public transportation options around the world.
Depending on what neighborhood you choose in either Brooklyn or Queens, you can have a relatively zippy commute to the city. When choosing your location, take your workplace location into account. If you work in Midtown, Queens might be the better option. If you work in lower Manhattan, you might want to consider Brooklyn.
When you compare commute time, you can expect around a 50-minute commute from Central Brooklyn on the F train and a 47-minute commute from Central Queens on the E train. What really makes Brooklyn better for local commuters is the amount of trains and stations. Brooklyn has around 157 stations and almost every train line services some area of Brooklyn.
Compare that to Queens which has only 78 stations and only 8 lines that service the borough. Of course, if there’s no train, you can usually find a bus stop that will take you to where you need to go. It’s just not as convenient to get around New York City living in Queens versus if you live in Brooklyn.
What does make Queens more attractive is its proximity to the two major airports: LaGuardia and JFK. So if you’re a globetrotter, Queens might be more attractive alternative. Likewise, if you have a summer getaway in the Hamptons, Queens is great since the Long Island Rail Road runs through the borough. Hop on at Woodside and you’ll find yourself in Southampton in two hours.
Food
New York City in general is a melting pot of different cultures and, as you might expect, cuisine. In a single block you get to choose from Indian, Japanese, Ethiopian, Mexican, and Ukrainian. You could try a new restaurant every day and you wouldn’t be able to get through the sheer volume and variety available.
While Manhattan has an established food scene, Brooklyn and Queens are quickly catching up. Brooklyn has quickly become known for its diverse dining scene and growing selection of restaurants. It’s also home to Smorgasborg, an open air market full of delectable food stalls and trucks. While Manhattan might be the hub for some of the most famous and expensive restaurants, Brooklyn restaurants are more affordable, though no less delicious. Each neighborhood offers up a different type of cuisine, so step out of your comfort zone and try something new. There are also a lot of experimental/gastronomical delights that are popping up in Brooklyn with a few Michelin-rated restaurants dotted around the borough.
Queens might not be as known for its foodie scene, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have amazing eats. In fact, it is home to a thriving Chinatown and Little India. So if you’re looking for some of the best Chinese and Indian in the city, you’ll want to head on over to Flushing. It also hosts the Night Market where you can enjoy cultural performances and shop from 89 vendors. While it might not be as large as Smorgasborg, it’s still an amazing experience. If you want something on-the-go, there are plenty of food trucks and regular street vendors selling affordable and delicious treats at all hours.
Attractions
If you’re looking for some entertainment, both boroughs have a lot ot offer. Besides all the food, Brooklyn is home to many iconic attractions. During the warmer season, why not head down to Coney Island and enjoy the famous boardwalk and get a Nathan’s hot dog at the location where it all started. If beaches aren’t your thing, the borough also is home to the 586 acre Prospect Park which is also home to the Prospect Park Zoo and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Every year in March/April, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival where you can partake in a slice of Japanese culture. If you’re more of a sports fan, Brooklyn has the Barclays Center, which is home of the Brooklyn Nets and also hosts concerts, boxing, college basketball, and more.
Looking for something a bit more low-key? Then Queens might be your place. Tourists don’t visit the borough as often, but it’s still home to various museums, parks, and sporting events. One of the most famous sporting events that takes place in Queens is the US Open. As you would expect, this event attracts tennis lovers from around the world. If you’re more into baseball, Queens is home to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. The subway series is always a popular showdown between the Yankees and the Mets so get your tickets well in advance. Outside of sports, Queens also offers other attractions such as the Flushing Meadow Corona Park, previous home to the World Fair, and the Museum of the Moving Image.
Moving to Brooklyn or Queens
At the end of the day, you need to make the decision that makes the most sense for you. If you want something that offers excellent nightlife, established food scenes, and accessibility to almost everywhere in New York City then Brooklyn is a great option. However, if you want something a bit quieter and more affordable, Queens might be your new home.
Regardless of what option you choose, you’ll want knowledgeable Brooklyn movers and Queens movers. So make sure to give us a call as we know both boroughs like the back of our hand!
FAQ
Is Brooklyn or Queens safer?
As with every part of NYC, it depends on the neighborhood. Park Slope, Williamsburg, and DUMBO are some of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. In Queens, you’ll want to look at Middle Village, Forest Hills, and Rego Park.
Which borough has better schools?
They both have some great options with Brooklyn being home to several amazing schools such as PS 134 in Borough Park. Queens boasts great schools in Flushing and Bayside.
Is it easier to buy in Brooklyn or Queens?
While buying isn’t ever ‘easy’ per se, it is a bit cheaper to buy an apartment or even brownstone in Queens. The average cost of a house in Queens is around $750,000 versus $875,000 for Brooklyn. Queens home ownership is also higher than in Brooklyn at 44.1 percent versus 29.8 percent.
