The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Queens for Renters
Queens has many feathers in its cap. For one, it comprises the largest land area among all five NYC boroughs! Because of its area, the neighborhoods are more spread out than Manhattan. Second, its diversity and inclusivity are known the world over and one of the reasons NYC attracts so many people globally. The diversity has also paved the way for an enviable food scene that everyone craves to be a part of.
Finally, not only do you have an array of housing options to choose from, but you also end up spending a lot less than you would have if you lived in Manhattan. Saving money is always good, isn’t it?
Considering Queen’s size, it isn’t difficult to guess why it has over 90 neighborhoods! While each has its pros, it makes sense to share helpful information on 10 of the best Queens neighborhoods, one of which you might see yourself living in in the future.
Complete guide to the 10 best Queens neighborhoods:
1. Bayside
In the early 19th and 20th centuries, Bayside served as a haven for the affluent. It’s now a low-budget neighborhood with an excellent public school system. In other words, it’s perfect for families with kids. The locale exhibits a community vibe and people look out for each other. You feel like you’re in a suburb when you’re in the area.
Spacious rental houses are available close to the waterfront in case you’re keen on renting a house in Queens. You’ll also find single-family homes and homes with varied architectural styles, such as Tudors, Colonials, Ranches, and modern. Well-kept lawns are also an important feature of this neighborhood. Residents comprise families and people from different backgrounds.
Located along the Little Neck Bay shores, you’ll find plenty of walking, running, and biking paths in Bayside, so make use of them for keeping in shape. The locale houses Bell Ave, a shopping, and dining center. Bay Terrace is another sought-after place for branded shopping and includes groceries too. The community has a ton of parks. Fort Totten Park is one of them. You’ll also find an 18-hole golf course and nature centers to explore!
Overall, Bayside is among the safest neighborhoods in Queens.
2. Bellerose
Bellerose is a tranquil neighborhood exhibiting a suburban vibe. It’s ideal for families with children and gives a lot of importance to family-oriented activities. In addition, it has a fantastic school system. You’ll discover 20th-century Colonial-style homes sprawled across streets peppered with trees. Single-family homes, rowhouses, and condos also appear in large numbers. Check rental prices for affordability and you might be lucky enough if you find a room for rent in Queens within your budget.
Rockaway Beach is a must-see place. Its selling points include plenty of shopping and dining options, not to mention boardwalks. Queen County Farm Museum runs festivals throughout the year, which include mazes, haunted houses, and a host of other entertainment options, much to the delight of residents and visitors! Cold Spring Harbor is a picturesque place you can spend time admiring. You can check out the museums there and experience the jazz festival should you be present around the time it’s held. Manhattan is close by in case you run out of options to have fun!
In the end, Bellerose is among the safest communities in Queens.
3. Jamaica Estates
Jamaica Estates is a peaceful, residential neighborhood and among the most prominent ones in the city. It’s a high-end community and exhibits a suburban vibe. Traditional single-family homes dot the neighborhood and there’s a great school system. You’ll also find lots of independent Tudor-style houses that transfer you back to an ancient English village! Those looking for privacy, this is your place! Think of renting here if you can afford the rent. Or you could even find a roommate in Queens to share the rent with.
The primary reason Jamaica Estates is so popular is its proximity to fantastic eateries, shops, and entertainment options. If you want to shop, head over to Jamaica Avenue, where you’ll find bargain shops and shops selling chic urban and hip hop wear, such as Jimmy Jazz. Jamaica Performing Arts Center is a place you could drop by if you’re into music, dance, and drama.
No matter what information we share with you, we never forget about food! And Jamaica Estates won’t let you either! Sybil’s Bakery NYC serves mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine, with a focus on Guyanese food. For Portuguese and Spanish cuisine, it’s none other than O Lavrador. A fun fact about this place is that it’s been around for 40 years! For drinks, your options include the Irish Maloney’s, or a sports bar like PreGame Sports Bar & Lounge.
Finally, Manhattan is pretty close by if you’re looking for more entertainment options.
4. Forest Hills
A central Queens neighborhood, Forest Hills is family-oriented and has many top public schools. It keeps you away from the city chaos while making sure you can catch a subway to the city whenever you feel like it. The community also offers parks and recreational activities galore. You’ll find a blend of roomy homes, new condos, and apartment complexes. So, families have a lot of options to choose from. Should the community appeal to you, explore the rental prices. You should be able to get a room for rent for even $300 here.
If you love nature, this community is filled with green spaces. Forest Park and Flushing Meadows Park are among the notable ones. Forest Park has several places you can explore such as hiking paths, playgrounds, bridle paths, and a golf course. Forest Hills is excellent for shopping and satisfying your hunger pangs. In fact, Forest Hills Greenmarket runs a farmers’ market that’s loved by one and all! Be sure to drop by the boutiques on Austin Street. If you’re into music, attend a concert at Forest Hills Stadium.
The food here caters to all kinds of taste buds, so you’ll find Italian cuisine at Portofino Ristorante and Cuban cuisine at Cabana, among others. Take a pick and savor your meals!
In a word, the crime rate is low, so it’s a safer community compared to other areas.
5. Astoria
Astoria is a residential neighborhood great for millennials, professionals, and families with kids. The rents are affordable and the housing options give you more space to live comfortably. You’ll find private apartments and co-living spaces here, in addition to pre-war multi-family buildings. The community derives its name from John Jacob Astor, an American business tycoon, and is backed by a captivating history. Interestingly, the community served as a movie-making hub for a greater part of the early 19th century.
The other highlights of Astoria include reasonably-priced food options, boutiques, and stunning views of the river. The community also happens to have a roaring nightlife scene, so check out the options if you’re interested. Manhattan is a 15-minute subway ride, thanks to some lines running through the area.
Referred to as the Greek capital of NYC, the area not only houses people from varied communities but also offers them a multitude of eating options. The city’s home to fancy restaurants such as Trattoria L’incontro and Christos Steak House and many others serving global cuisines. How about drinks? Drop by Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, among the oldest pubs in the city, for Czech beer and grilled bratwursts!
Outdoorsy folks can drop by Astoria Park. Besides gorgeous vistas of the East River, it includes tennis and basketball courts, walking paths, and playgrounds. If you’re a sports lover, make use of the facilities here! Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park are two other places to explore. Kaufman Movie Studios, which contains the Museum of Moving Images honoring the history of movies, is another exciting place to visit. The biggest and oldest pool in the city has a home here, so if swimming features in your list of activities, you know where to go!
To sum up, shopaholics can head over to Steinway Street for clothes and boutique furniture. But Northern Boulevard is where you have all the notable branded shops and those selling cars, so choose according to your preferences!
6. Flushing
Flushing, renowned for its food, houses large groups of Asians, who add to its appeal as a place for food lovers. It’s among the oldest neighborhoods in Queens, where Dutch settlers first arrived in the 17th century. Housing options are pretty reasonably priced, compared to other areas, so use the opportunity to find a house here. You’ll discover single and multi-family houses with lots of space. Flushing’s Chinatown is the biggest, not to mention the most rapidly growing community globally! Flushing is also the fourth biggest commercial district in NYC!
Thanks to Chinatown, you get to savor Sichuan, Ramen, and Korean Hot Pot not just on Main Street but in the areas surrounding it. By the way, while you’re there, be sure to check out the bubble tea and the baked goods. Karaoke bars and parks also dot the neighborhood, so you have other sources of recreation to explore!
As far as visitor attractions go, drop by Queens Botanical Garden and spend some time in the lap of nature. Check out the Queens Zoo and see alligators, pumas, parrots among other animals. The Louis Armstrong House Museum is another tourist spot where Louis Armstrong, an American vocalist, lived till 1971, his year of death. Finally, take some time to visit the U.S. Open and National Tennis Center. This is where some of the biggest tennis champions in the world played some captivating games!
To conclude, the only downside to the place is traveling to other boroughs of NYC, which takes longer than usual.
7. Sunnyside
Sunnyside is a community exhibiting a small-town, residential vibe. Its relaxed feel makes it a sought-after locale, perfect for families. You’ll find mostly apartments, condos, and co-living spaces in the area. The rental prices are also affordable compared to a few other locales, such as Astoria. So, renting in this locale seems like a pretty perfect option. Residents are warm and amicable and look out for each other. Midtown Manhattan is also close by for those who wish to experience big city life from time to time.
Plenty of eateries, bars, and shopping options are available in Sunnyside. Some of its worthwhile restaurants include Bolivian Llama Party, which offers South American cuisine. No one can resist dumplings or momos, so if you’re one of them, visit Bajeko Sekuwa. For delicious Indian food, there’s Cardamom Indian Cuisine. For drinks, you’ll find beer at Donovan’s Pub. Try the burger there; it’s yummy!
In the mood to shop? Sunnyside Thrift Shop is a great place to buy reasonably-priced items. So shop to your heart’s content for your family and friends.
Sunnyside Gardens Park is open to members only, so if you manage to become one, try out one or more of their activities including skating, biking, and tennis, baseball, and table tennis. There are playgrounds too. The park also runs many interesting events, so check them out occasionally to find something that looks interesting.
In summary, the crime rates are reducing every day, making it count in one of the safesest neighborhoods in Queens.
8. Long Island City
Long Island City or LIC, is a rapidly growing residential neighborhood with tons of museums and bars, not to mention a fantastic nightlife scene. You’ll discover luxurious new apartment buildings, single-family homes, and condos here. Consider getting a house here and you’re all set!
Numerous art galleries, boutiques, shops, lounges, restaurants, and chic bars line in Long Island City. Most eateries and bars are located on Vernon Avenue. It’s a given that with so many art galleries, the art scene in the area is going places! Cinephiles can drop by the Museum of the Moving Image. Its interactive exhibits help people know more about film-making through experiential learning. Head over to the Cliffs for some adventurous rock climbing. They offer memberships and passes regularly, so try your luck!
Gantry Plaza State Park is an ideal place to relax. Sit on a bench and read, walk your furry friend, or have a picnic with your friends and coworkers. Take a trip on the Roosevelt Island Tram if you want to experience the most stunning vistas of the city. Last but not least, MoMA PS1 is a Museum of Modern Art that’s worth a visit. The highlight of the place is the regular circulation of exhibits, so visitors don’t end up seeing the same things over and over.
Food is never out of our minds, right? How do you feel about Brazilian cuisine? There’s Beija Flor. For Asian fusion cuisine, check out SHI.
Finally, you’ll not even need 10 minutes to reach Manhattan if you take the no. 7 line on the subway.
9. Ridgewood
Ridgewood has a hip vibe and tons of bakeries, artistic shops, music locales, and cultural institutions to offer residents and visitors alike. The neighborhood underwent massive development in the 20th century when developers started constructing rowhouses to accommodate residents’ demand for larger homes. You’ll get to see reasonably-priced single-family homes and apartments. Residents comprise millennials and youngsters.
One of the things that stand out about the place is its inclusive nature. Besides Polish and Hispanic communities, there are many other groups like Asian and Egyptian that live in the vicinity in perfect harmony.
Bars and restaurants pepper Ridgewood’s western part. Check out Menahan Street in particular for drinking and dining options. Since we’re hovering around the subject of food and drink, you can rest assured that Ridgewood doesn’t disappoint. Besides delectable Asian cuisine, such as Korean and Nepalese, you have Ltauha for American food. Italian’s always a favorite, so visit Antica Trattoria. Finally, for lip-smacking pizza, you have Roza’s Pizza.
Ridgewood is famous for housing 10 National Historic Districts. In addition, three NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Landmark Districts are also housed here! Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue are shopping centers for residents if you want to check out the merchandise. Finally, don’t forget to drop by Vander Ende - Onderdonk House, the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in the city, and the Ridgewood Theater building, a pre-war rental building in the area.
10. Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights is a centrally-located residential neighborhood. You’ll find Tudor-style homes and pre-war cooperatives here. Housing prices have increased over the years, so check the rents before renting a room or a house here. It’s a friendly and inclusive neighborhood where more than 50 percent of the residents were born in foreign countries. What’s even more interesting is that people speak in more than 150 languages in the community! Good public schools are nearby, making it a draw for families with children.
Jackson Heights has a notable culinary scene and some of the finest restaurants in the area, serving traditional cuisine. For lip-smacking Nepalese, Indian, Latin American, and Tibetan cuisine, residents flock to the 34th and 37th Avenues. So, if you’re a foodie, you’ll have a ball here! On the other hand, the nightlife scene’s pretty low-key. The Queens Pride Parade and Festival is a famous festival drawing people across all of NYC.
Conclusion
So, did we manage to inspire you to move to Queens? We hope so! Queens has played a significant role in putting NYC on the map as a highly diversified city. With so many different cultures and languages existing side by side, people are identified as humans first and then by their nationalities. The neighborhood welcomes people with open arms and looks out for them, and that’s what creates an unbreakable bond among them. That alone should encourage you to move to the city and live the life you envisioned. Once you explore our list of best neighborhoods in Queens in person, the experience will tell you all you need to know about where you belong!
