Astoria Neighborhood Review - Queens Moving Guide
Astoria is a neighborhood in northwestern Queens. Bordered by Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside, and overlaps with Steinway Ditmars.
This Astoria neighborhood review will look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Astoria is the definition of a melting pot, with a variety of ethnic cultures represented through churches and cuisines.
Much like Williamsburg and Bushwick, gentrification has driven rent prices up and will most likely continue as many city dwellers continue to move into this laid-back and relaxing area.
That being said, the rental prices are nowhere near the likes of neighboring LIC, which is home to a small "downtown" of luxury high-rises.
Most Greeks who moved to New York City in the 1980s settled in what was then the Italian-dominated neighborhood of Astoria.
By the mid-1900s, Greeks accounted for slightly less than half of Astoria's population.
Astoria is worth the visit, not just because of the great Greek food.
Astoria is home to the Museum of the Moving Image, the Noguchi Museum, and Socrates Sculpture Park. All of them are worth visiting, no matter where you live in the five boroughs.
When you want to relax, have a picnic or a restful afternoon in Astoria Park. The massive park offers a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, and fantastic city views.
FUN FACT: St. Demetrios, one of the eleven Greek Orthodox churches in the area, is probably the largest Greek Orthodox church outside of Greece.
Homes Available for Rent & Sale in Astoria
Homes available for rent and sale in Astoria, New York, are plentiful and diverse.
Astoria is an attractive neighborhood for buyers and renters alike, offering quaint residential streets, mixed-use blocks with restaurants and businesses, and easy access to Manhattan.
This desirable Queens neighborhood has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, attracting more families and young residents.
Average Rental Prices in Astoria | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $3,000 |
| 1 Bed | $2,400 |
| 2 Beds | $2,700 |
| 3 Beds | $3,200 |
| 4 Beds | $3,025 |
Average Sales Prices in Astoria | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,150,000 |
| 1 Bed | $585,000 |
| 2 Beds | $744,000 |
| 3 Beds | $1,209,000 |
| 4 Beds | $1,250,000 |
Transportation
One of the prime reasons Astoria became the first spot to become popular among ex-Manhattanites was its close proximity to the city and the trains running directly into it from the neighborhood.
A bike ride into the city is a quick trip over the Queensboro Bridge.
If you're flying out of the city, LaGuardia airport, just north of Ditmars Steinway, is just minutes away from anywhere in Astoria by car.
| Bus | Q19, M60-SBS |
|---|
Subway lines in neighborhood
- E
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- M
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- N R W
BMT Broadway Line
Public Schools in Astoria
Astoria is home to several of the city's top-ranked public schools, including Astoria High School and PS 122.
Astoria High School has consistently been ranked as one of the best high schools in New York City, and its diverse student population enjoys a wide range of academic opportunities. PS 122 has also earned numerous awards for excellence in academics.
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Av School - Q300 | Public - PK-8 - 354 students | City-wide gifted and talented school (1 of 5 in NYC). Separate elementary and middle school campuses. |
| Our World Neighborhood Charter School | Public Charter - K-8 - 715 students | Although this school is housed in two separate locations in Astoria, the staff works hard to make sure that all children feel welcome and valued. |
| P.S. 234 | Public - PK-5 - 907 students | Serves a multi-ethnic group of children who speak 78 languages at home. Emphasizes community service along with academics. |
| Saint Demetrios Astoria School | Private - K-12 - 625 students | This private, Christian school is the largest Greek-American and Greek Orthodox day school in the United States. |
Restaurants & Dining in Astoria
Astoria is an amazing and vibrant neighborhood in New York City that attracts people from all walks of life. Whether you're looking for a unique dining experience or trying to find the best spot for a night out, Astoria has something for everyone.
From casual cafes and bakeries to high-end restaurants with international flavors and world-class chefs – Astoria offers a variety of options when it comes to dining.
Ditmars Boulevard continues to prove itself worthy of notable reviews thanks to its variety of authentic cuisine. Authentic Greek food is most prevalent in this area, and there are plenty of spots to choose from.
Kafenio Astoria: One of Astoria's most popular restaurants is Kafenio Astoria. This Greek eatery serves traditional dishes like moussaka and souvlaki and some more modern interpretations of classic Greek cuisine. The menu offers something for everyone, from light appetizers to full meals with plenty of sides, salads, dips, and spreads. The friendly atmosphere makes it easy to feel at home here – making Kafenio Astoria the perfect place for a relaxed evening out with friends or family.
Tommy's Taverna Astoria is another favorite among locals and visitors alike. Tommy's serves up classic taverna-style dishes such as gyros, spanakopita, and souvlaki – as well as some American favorites like burgers and fries – all made using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. It's no wonder why this Astoria staple has been around since 1981 – people love its warm atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly waitstaff.
Casa del Chef Astoria: For those looking for a more upscale dining experience, Casa del Chef Astoria is a perfect choice. This establishment offers a modern take on Mediterranean cuisine featuring items like braised octopus, seared rack of lamb, and fennel-crusted tuna loin. Everything here is cooked to perfection by renowned chef Domenico di Girolamo who combines his Italian heritage with inventive techniques for flavors that will leave you wanting more.
Tavern Kyclades is considered the mecca of Greek food in NYC and one of the best destinations to taste authentic cuisine. People come from far away places to try this popular restaurant.
Tufino's: If you're in the mood for Italian wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, head to Tufino's. Their wood-burning oven was built in Naples, Italy using volcanic lava ash from Mt. Vesuvius! How's that for authentic?
Some other notable spots include The Thirsty Koala (great brunch spot!), Sugar Freak (Cajun/Creole New Orleans-themed), and Hinomaru (best spot for ramen).
If you're looking for night entertainment, check out Astoria's live music venues like LetLove Inn or the comedy club QED.
How Safe is the Astoria Neighborhood?
The Astoria neighborhood of New York City is known for its welcoming and lively community, which makes it a great place to live. However, as with any area, safety concerns come with living in Astoria. While Astoria is generally considered safe, some areas still have higher crime rates and other issues that residents should be aware of.
Crime statistics
Astoria has seen some recent spikes in certain types of criminal activity, such as property theft and drug-related crimes.
The Astoria police precinct employs over 250 officers and works closely with community groups to address these issues head-on.
Additionally, Astoria has also implemented programs such as “Neighbors On Watch” which encourages residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they may witness.
All in all, these improvements have helped reduce the amount of criminal activity significantly since their introduction.
When it comes to personal safety in Astoria, residents can rely on several resources available within the neighborhood and beyond.
Astoria prides itself on providing a secure environment for its citizens and visitors by offering several public safety services, including free security escorts for those who feel unsafe walking alone at night or need help getting home safely after dark.
Other amenities include various nighttime patrols and access to security cameras throughout the area for added peace of mind when out and about after dark.
Overall, Astoria is considered a safe place to live if one exercises caution while out at night or leaves valuables unattended in an unsecured location such as a car or public space like parks or beaches where theft could occur more quickly than in an apartment complex or residence hall where landlords or building managers can take additional security measures.
With proper precautions taken by both law enforcement and individuals alike, Astorians can enjoy their days (and nights) without worry.
