Why is Astoria One of the Coolest Places to Live in?
When you’re on an apartment hunt in Queens or looking for real estate in Astoria, there’s no better way to get to know a neighborhood than to take an inside look first. Astoria is loved and appreciated by the locals and has a very close and friendly community. Today, you can learn more about this cool neighborhood as well, see what it offers, and maybe choose Astoria as your next destination for living. Here’s the ultimate guide to Astoria living and choosing the right real estate opportunity in Queens.
Learn More About Astoria, Queens, New York
Where is Astoria?
Astoria is located in the borough of Queens, right next to the East River, and surrounded by Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside. Astoria is populated by a little under than 100.000 people, mostly immigrant families that inhabited this part of the island. They mostly came from the Netherlands, Ireland, England, and Germany, but there are also a lot of Hispanic, Muslim, and African-American families living there too. The 1960s saw a huge spike in the Greek population from Greece and Cyprus, and it remained relatively the same to this day, with the majority of Astoria being home to a lot of family-owned Greek restaurants, bakeries, and markets.
How to get to Astoria from Downtown Manhattan?
Contrary to what many people may believe, Astoria is very close to Downtown Manhattan. By simply taking the subway, you can be there in less than 20 minutes. A taxi or Uber could cost you between $20-$30. Many Astoria residents go to Manhattan for work, school, shopping, or leisure, and it’s at a perfect distance. It’s not so far that you’d spend hours getting there, but not too close either, so you’ll be away from the hectic nature of Manhattan.
Astoria Named One of the Coolest Places to Live
In 2019, Astoria was named number 8 on the top 50 list of Coolest Neighborhoods in the World by Timeout Magazine. Their top list was compiled with local living in mind, and it features a list of popular places to experience as the neighborhood local. Astoria made it to the list because of its diversity, overall warm and welcoming nature, and amazing food. With many cultures included in this neighborhood, living as a local feels like being accepted into a cool and laid-back community of people of all backgrounds.
Is Astoria a Safe Neighborhood?
Astoria is one of the safest neighborhoods in Queens, New York. The majority of the residents tend to be liberal and easygoing. Retired from the big city, there are fewer crowds and a somehow more positive atmosphere. Crime is very low and the police in the area are very fast to respond and help in any emergencies. Bikers can ride around comfortably around the neighborhood since there’s not a lot of traffic. Kids play outside in the parks and other designated areas freely.
What is Astoria Known for?
This neighborhood was named after the wealthy merchant John Jacob Astor, who was one of the first people who invested in the area, but for some reason never set foot there. Besides cheap homes for sale and rent in Astoria and inexpensive amenities, there’s a lot more to discover. A short ride from Manhattan can take you to some very cool places Astoria is known for, such as:
The Museum of the Moving Image
This museum in Astoria appreciates the art of movies, television and other digital media. In the Museum of Moving Image you can see the Jim Henson exhibit featuring his famous works in “The Muppets,” “Fraggle Rock,” and “Sesame Street.” Besides that, you can also learn about the process of filmmaking and other things that go into the art of creating visual media with the “Behind the Screen” exhibit.
Astoria Park
Astoria Park is the home to the largest and oldest public pool in New York. Admission is free, so anyone that needs a refreshing swim after a long Summer day can come. Besides the iconic pool, Astoria Park has outdoor tennis courts, a track, a bandstand, multiple trails, basketball courts, and playgrounds. Lastly, located just on the edge of the East River, Astoria Park offers a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
The Welling Court Mural Project
For a more urban feel, take a stroll down 30th Avenue Street, and you will find a wholly spruced up neighborhood filled with murals and tasteful graffiti art. In 2009, a community of people living in this area came together and made a unanimous decision to create a beautiful art project and revamp their surroundings. Probably one of the most excellent examples of contemporary street art today, the Welling Court Murals Project features murals from 150 artists from both New York City and countries around the world.
Socrates Sculpture Park
Another glorious example of how a community that comes together can make life in a place better is the Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria. This beautiful place was once an abandoned landfill, and now it’s turned into a park with large sculptures and multimedia installations. As an internationally renowned outdoor gallery, it offers free programs for families and an awesome place for picnics.
The Hell Gate Bridge
Contrary to its name, this historic bridge connecting Astoria in Queens and Randalls and Wards Islands is quite charming. Walking along Astoria park, you can clearly see this bridge in all its magnificence. Built in 1916 and opened in March 1917, the Hell Gate Bridge was the longest bridge in the world for its time. Fun fact: The architect who was hired to design the Sydney bridge in Australia took inspiration from the Hellgate Bridge.
Is Astoria a Family Friendly Neighborhood?
Absolutely! This is one of the friendliest neighborhoods you can find in New York. Astoria features a good number of both private and public schools. Public schools have a diversity score (the chance that two students selected at random would be of different ethnicities) that’s almost twice as higher than the New York average! Considering how Astoria really is ethnically diverse and very tolerant of other backgrounds, this is a great place to live with a family.
Perks of Living in Astoria
- Sense of community – Astoria is a middle-class residential neighborhood. At its core, it’s very friendly – everyone knows who you are there, and there’s a certain sense of belonging when you live there.
- No noise – Away from the busy Manhattan area, the Astoria area is quiet, peaceful, and great for people wanting to settle in a new house or apartment.
- Say goodbye to crowds and traffic jams – Another perk of not living in Manhattan is not having to bump into everyone while walking down the street. Traffic is also much less prevalent.
- More parking space – Astoria has plenty of parking spaces and garages. You can rent out a parking space or use public parking in a residential area. You won’t spend too much time looking for where to park, since a lot of people use public transport anyways.
- Few tourists – Having little to no tourists visiting each day is a blessing to all of the people that are looking for a peaceful environment that can offer privacy and comfort.
- Great shops, restaurants & parks – There’s a lot of green spaces, clean air, delicious food, and family-owned shops with authentic products.
- Affordable real estate – If you’re looking for Astoria apartments for sale or Astoria houses for sale, this is the best time to look. The median home value in Astoria is around $325,000. Completely modest prices for middle-class families.
Astoria New York City Real Estate
Astoria real estate for sale is very popular because of its affordability. You can also rent an apartment at a fraction of the price of apartments in Manhattan, for example. Astoria is great because you get to live there and if need be, go to Manhattan to do your shopping, go to work or school. In just 15 minutes, you can get to Downtown Manhattan, go out with friends, and visit some cool new places. Living in Manhattan is hard; rents are very high, it’s stressful, and real estate prices are close to unbelievable heights. That’s why many people opt for Queens, Astoria, as their new forever home.
How to Find a Home in Astoria?
By simply contacting AA Real Estate NYC representatives, you will find out which Astoria apartment for sale or a townhouse for rent is perfect for you. Regardless of what you need, there is always a solution, and AA Real Estate will make sure of it. Your closest real estate agency in NY is ready to answer any questions you might have about homes for sale in Astoria Queens. You can find a lot of affordable single-family homes in Astoria, as well as apartments and townhomes. Although this has largely been a family-oriented neighborhood, there’s also room for students that are looking for a flat, as well as career-oriented people. Reach out to your closest Real Estate Agency online and check out some real estate available for rent and sale today.