The following is a breakdown of three of the most popular Queens neighborhoods, in order of proximity to Manhattan:

ASTORIA

Local Subway:

G, R & V to Steinway and 46th Street stops (local)
N & W to Broadway and all stops thereafter (local)
10-15 minutes to Manhattan
20-25 minutes to Penn Station

Key Buses:

Q101 – Steinway to E. 59th Street
M60 – Astoria Blvd. to Columbia University and LaGuardia Airport

Average Apartment Prices:

Studio $700-900
One Bedroom - $900-1200
Two Bedroom - $1100-1600

Located just over the river from the East Side of Manhattan, Astoria is one of the most convenient, as well as affordable neighborhoods in Queens. Traditionally it has been home to recent immigrants from Europe, especially Greeks (it has the largest Greek population in the United States), though in recent years immigrants from Egypt, Latin America and the Caribbean have moved into the area. It is also a popular place to live for many young professionals of all races and backgrounds - including a new influx of young gay professionals - particularly teachers and actors (because of the proximity to television studios and Broadway). Residents of Astoria benefit from a number of quality grocery stores – from a suburban style Super Stop and Shop to Titan Market, the largest Greek grocery store in the US – a small, but growing bar scene (including the largest outdoor bar in the city) and several inexpensive restaurants and bakeries. The main commercial districts run along 30th Avenue, Broadway, and Steinway, which house national retailers such as the Gap and Victoria’s Secret, along with locally run boutiques, bookstores, and delis as well. For Rutgers graduate students living in Astoria the benefits are many. It is a short subway ride to the New York Public Library, Penn Station and Port Authority. It is also convenient to JFK (transfer to the E train) and LaGuardia (via the M60) airports. The M60 will also take you to Columbia University and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Apartments in Astoria tend to be in either multifamily homes or in small (6-12 unit) apartment buildings, though west of 31st Street (which the N line runs along) it is possible to find larger (24+) buildings. Since many of these units were built after World War II as starter homes, they tend to be more spacious and have less of a carved out feel than apartments in Manhattan and even Brooklyn. Many apartments also come with optional off-street parking, and many parts of Astoria do not require car owners to move their car for street cleaning. Though it is possible to find an apartment in Astoria without a broker, most owners seem to list units through one of many local brokers. Local brokers in Astoria tend to charge less than commercial brokers in Manhattan and Brooklyn (who charge up to 15% of the first years rent compared to less than half that for Astoria brokers) and can usually set you up with a suitable apartment in a matter of days.

JACKSON HEIGHTS

Local Subway:

E & F at 74th and Roosevelt Ave. (express)
G, R, V, & 7 at 74th and Roosevelt Ave. (local)
10-15 minutes to Manhattan by express, 20-25 minutes by local
15-20 minutes to Penn Station by express, 30-35 by local

Key Busses:

Q32 Roosevelt Ave to Penn Station
Q33 Roosevelt Ave to LaGuardia Airport

Average Apartment Prices:

Studio $800-1000
One Bedroom $1000-1300
Two Bedroom $1200-1700

Among the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the country, Jackson Heights has thriving East Asian, Indian, and South American immigrant populations that mix freely with long time residents and recent arrivals from Manhattan. The neighborhood is centered around the Roosevelt Avenue express stop, which is only three stops outside of the city. Near the station are shops and restaurants that cater to commuters as well as a huge Asian Grocery Store, Hong Kong Supermarket. On 74th Street there are a number of Indian restaurants, bakeries, boutiques and grocery stores, including Patel Brothers, known for its fine selection of Indian foods and rock bottom prices, while the shops on 82nd Street (one stop up on the 7) mainly cater to the Latin American population. Jackson Heights also has a weekly Farmers’ Market during the Spring and Summer. (As you can see, Jackson Heights is a great place to live if you are into food.)

Apartments in Jackson Heights tend to be more expensive than those in Astoria, though they often have more square footage. Apartment units range from two family homes to large, pre-war complexes. Though the area around the train station is bustling, many of the side streets have a quiet, garden feel to them and many of the buildings themselves surround interior courtyards – particularly those in the Jackson Heights historic district. Recently the Manhattan real estate firms have begun moving into Jackson Heights to attract Manhattan refugees, although finding an apartment without the aid of a broker (or with the assistance of a less expensive local broker) is still entirely possible.

FOREST HILLS

Local Subway:

E & F at 71st and Continental, 75th Ave. (express)
G, R, V at 67th Ave., 71st and Continental (local)
15-20 minutes to Manhattan by express, 30-40 minutes by local
25-30 minutes to Penn Station by express, 40-50 minutes by local

Key Busses:

Q60 to 60th St & 2nd Ave in Manhattan (via Queens Blvd.)
Q10 from Union Turnpike to JFK airport
X63, X64, X68 to 23rd Street and 1st Ave. in Manhattan

Average Apartment Prices:

Studio $900-1200
One Bedroom $1100-1500
Two Bedroom $1400-2000+

One express stop past Jackson Heights, Forest Hills is an established and highly diverse middle-class neighborhood. At the center of the neighborhood is an express subway stop (71st and Continental), a Long Island Railroad Stop (15 min. to Manhattan) and Queens Boulevard (the main thoroughfare running through western Queens, where most of your major retailers - Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, etc. - are located). South of Queens Boulevard is Forest Hills Gardens, a planned residential community from the 1920s that is among the most charming in all of New York City (If money was no object and I could live anywhere in New York City – including Manhattan - it would be in Forest Hills Gardens). Right outside of the Gardens is Austin Street, the main commercial strip, which has more upscale national retailers (Banana Republic, Sephora, Barnes & Noble) and boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops (including one of the best cheese shops in the city), as well as a movie theater. South of the Gardens is Metropolitan Avenue which has a number of family-run restaurants and quality antique stores. Further east (off the 75th Ave. express stop) is Forest Park, a large park with playgrounds, hiking trails and a public golf course.

In the area immediately around the express subway/LIRR stop, apartment buildings tend to be immediate post-war high density housing (6 stories) or modern high rises (20+ stories). Occasionally apartments become available in the Gardens, though these are prohibitively expensive (~$3500 for a two bedroom). Many of these buildings were designed as co-ops, rather than rental units, and it is often much cheaper to buy than to rent, making Forest Hills an excellent location for those considering buying an apartment in New York City. Although more expensive than either Jackson Heights or Astoria, apartments in Forest Hills tend to be large, in good condition and offer amenities (doorman, laundry, garages, etc.) not offered in these other neighborhoods. Those looking for an apartment in Forest Hills should consult Craigslist.com – the big brokerages have not yet moved into the neighborhood and many apartments for rent are often coops being rented out by their owner.

Written by Justin Lorts.