Long Island City Neighborhood Review - Queens Moving Guide 2024
It's like no one saw the once industrially dominated area of Long Island City rapidly evolve into the up-and-coming, thriving neighborhood it has. This Long Island City neighborhood review will examine public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Much like what happened to Williamsburg in the past decade, luxury high-rise buildings have taken over the area, attracting young working professionals. Nestled in the westernmost borough of Queens, the gentrification of this waterfront oasis is real!
Many Manhattanites that move to LIC can now take in the best view of the city - where they invest the majority of their time, energy, and money. Its vibe is not as much of a stretch for Manhattanites as Astoria or Sunnyside might be.
A popular weekend activity for much of the busy younger crowd is dining out with friends at one of the area's unique restaurants. The MoMA PS1, one of the country's oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions, also brings people from all over the city.
Fun Fact: The West Chemical Company, a row of abandoned buildings dating back to the early 1900s, will soon be demolished and replaced with an $875 million luxury residential project.
Real Estate in Long Island City
The thriving real estate market in Long Island City (LIC) is no secret. This Queens neighborhood continues to serve as a desirable destination for homebuyers and renters, from luxury condos to townhomes.
With its easy access to Manhattan via the subway and ferry, LIC's status as an attractive area for residential living has only been further bolstered in recent years.
Long Island City is mainly composed of condos and luxury rental high-rise buildings. Unlike most other NYC neighborhoods, single-family homes and walk-ups are few and far between.
Average Rental Prices in Long Island City | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $3,000 |
| 1 Bed | $3,500 |
| 2 Beds | $5,000 |
| 3 Beds | $6,600 |
Average Sales Prices in Long Island City | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $650,000 |
| 1 Bed | $810,000 |
| 2 Beds | $1,275,000 |
| 3 Beds | $2,220,000 |
| 4 Beds | $1,699,000 |
Public Transportation
Many residents living in Long Island City work in Manhattan since it is only one stop from Midtown.
The elevated subway trains have better views for passengers, but delays are more common during winter storms.
The NYC Ferry stops at Hunters Point South and Gantry Plaza State Park.
Service connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Roosevelt Island, and Astoria. A one-way route is $2.75
The LIRR is located at Borden Avenue and 2nd Street.
Service extends between Penn Station and Greater Long Island via Queens and Brooklyn.
Subway lines in neighborhood
- 7 7
IRT Flushing Line
- E
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- F M
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- G
IND Crosstown Line
- N R W
BMT Broadway Line
| Local Bus | Q18, Q19, Q32, Q60, Q66, Q69, Q100, Q102, Q103, Q104 |
|---|---|
| Express Buses | QM1-6, QM10, QM12, QM15-18, QM20, QM21, QM24, QM31, QM32, QM34-36, QM40, QM42, QM44, X63, X64, X68 |
Bikes & Bike Safety
There are 13 bike stations scattered throughout LIC.
Most Manhattan commuters will take the Queensboro Bridge bike path and Brooklyn commuters will take the Pulaski Bridge bike path.
Restaurants & Dining
Though Long Island City can't exactly claim to be known for any particular type of cuisine or food establishment, one thing they do have is a lot of good options.
Cafe Henri, Tournesol, and Casa Enrique are hidden local gems worth checking out.
There are also plenty of great coffee shops that locals like to frequent, such as Sweetleaf, Partner's Coffee, and 51st Bakery & Cafe.
Communal tables are a big thing in LIC, so if you need your zen-alone time, waterfront chilling is the way to go.
The best part is that new hip restaurants are continually popping up in this neighborhood, turning it into a real food scene.
Recent additions are the Peruvian Inkan and the Thai TukTuk.
Attractions and Nightlife
Gantry Plaza State Park is the perfect waterfront for relaxation and stunning Manhattan skyline views.
The 12-acre park offers lounge chairs, playgrounds, recreational facilities, piers, and a scenic walkway.
Across the park is the Long Island Ferry Terminal, where you can catch a ride to Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Those wanting strong drinks, lasting hookahs, and loud dancing music usually head to Doha Nightclub NYC.
Public & Charter Schools
District #24 includes a stretch of a densely populated area of Queens, which includes Long Island City.
Because of the high demand in this area, many new schools have popped up in the neighborhoods over the last 5-10 years.
There are many, but we've listed some of the most notable.
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P.S./I.S. 78Q | Public, Grades K-8 - 699 students | Diverse student body. Strong enrichment programs and strong academics. |
| P.S. 112 Dutch Kills | Public, Grades PK-5, 398 students | Local zoned school with diverse student body. Pre-K is offered. |
| P.S. 76 William Hallet | Public, Grades PK-5, 393 students | ASD Nest Program and Spanish dual language program are available at this school. |
| The Riverview School | Public, Grades K-12, 676 students | District 75 school serving students with disabilities. |
| Growing Up Green Charter Elementary & Middle School | Charter, Grades K-8, 754 students | Elementary school and middle school are separate. Environmentally-friendly approach school. Progressive education. |
| Hunter's Point Community Middle School | Public, Grades 6-8, 410 students | Gaining popularity quickly. Students enjoy waterfront views of Midtown Manhattan and the East River. Following the Middle School Quality Initiative (MSQI), a school-wide approach to literacy from Harvard, the entire community focuses on one big question each week. |
| Baccalaureate School for Global Education | Public, Grades 7-12, 528 students | High-performing IB public school, with rigorous academics. |
| Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology | Public, Grades 6-12, 605 studens | Special education is offered for students with disabilities. High level of college readiness. |
| Academy for Careers in Television and Film (ACTV) | Public, Grades 9-12, 544 students | The school partners with Silver Studios and other movie and television companies to provide professional-level education for students. Associates degree offered. |
| Bard High School Early College Queens | Public, Grades 9-12 - 623 students | A+ ranked partnership school (between Bard College and the NYC Department of Education). Students can obtain a high school diploma as well as an Associate's Degree, giving them a head start on their continued education. |
| Energy Tech High School | Public, Grades 9-12, 524 students | Good for students wanting to pursue studies in energy and engineering. Two-year college degree offered. |
How Safe is the Long Island City Neighborhood?
LIC has seen lower overall crime rates than many other parts of the city. The rate of violent crimes in LIC is below city and borough averages, with relatively few incidents reported overall.
Property crime rates were also slightly below average, making LIC one of the safer neighborhoods in Queens.
Crime statistics
That said, cases of petty theft, such as pickpocketing, are still relatively common in LIC, so visitors should always exercise caution when carrying valuables on their person.
It's also important to note that parts of Long Island City can be somewhat secluded or dimly lit at night, so extra care should be taken when walking outside after dark in these areas.
Overall, Long Island City is a safe neighborhood for most people to visit or live in.
Although visitors should take normal safety precautions as they would anywhere else in New York City, they shouldn't feel too concerned about security while visiting Long Island City either during the day or at night.
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