Ridgewood Neighborhood Review - Queens Moving Guide

Did you know that prior to 1709 Ridgewood was considered to be part of Brooklyn?

If you've been to Ridgewood, that makes sense.

The neighborhood has a Queens zip code, but spillover from the Brooklyn hipster culture present largely in Bushwick and East Williamsburg.

It's an interesting marriage. Some streets will make you swear you are in Queens. Cross over to the next block and it'll feel like you never left Brooklyn.

The Arbitration Rock, which was set in 1769, became the official boundary marker or dividing line between Queens and Kings County.

And it's definitely got some very Queensy neighbors like Maspeth and Middle Village, two very salt-of-the-earth quintessential New York neighborhoods.

You will find a diverse range of residents living in Ridgewood

After all, it is the single most diverse county in the United States (with over 130 languages spoken)!

Many of Brooklyn's young professionals are flocking here due to rising rent prices.

The tight-knit neighborhood has a small town feel with many tree-lined streets and picket fences aligning the single-family row houses.

Though densely populated, it is an overall quiet environment.

It's not totally devoid of cool hangout spots, cute shops, and hip eateries either, after all, some of that Brooklyn gentrification has snuck into the area.

Fun Facts: Many call Stockholm Street in Ridgewood the yellow brick road of Queens. It is the only brick-paved road in the borough.

Average Rental Prices

Just past Bushwick on the L line, Ridgewood is a great alternative to living in Brooklyn.

Ridgewood has become more residential in recent years due to many people moving from Brooklyn neighborhoods like Bushwick or Williamsburg.

You will find cheaper rent and larger apartments than its Brooklyn and Manhattan counterparts although prices have steadily been rising.

Here is a breakdown of the average rent prices in the area:

Transportation

The location of Ridgewood make it super convenient location for transportation.

It is less than a 20 minute subway ride to Manhattan.

The main subway connection is the M train. It runs through the heart of Ridgewood.

Many residents utilize the buses for destinations that are not on the same subway line.

Buses

Home to the large Fresh Pond Bus Depot, which services most buses that run throughout Brooklyn and Queens, multiple buses are available in Ridgewood.

There are about 11 bus routes that run through Ridgewood.

Bikes and Bike Safety

The lack of bike lanes in Ridgewood does not stop residents from utilizing this form of transit.

The main roads that are bike-friendly are Woodward Ave and Onderdonk Ave.

There are, however, many areas of Ridgewood that are ideal for a day out exploring on the bike. It's just getting to them that may be a bit of a challenge.

Most bicyclists opt for 500+ acre Forest Park which also includes the 110 acre par 67 Forest Park Golf Course.

Restaurants

Ridgewood Queens is the melting pot for an international array of cuisines.

Here are just a few goodies to choose from:

Gottscheer Hall- It's not every day you can dine at an authentic German restaurant! Founded in 1924, this popular spot has a small but very delicious menu with beers on tap.

Zenith Thai Restaurant- Very flavorful Thai food that tastes like it's straight out of Thailand. Nice ambience. Very extensive menu so be sure to go hungry!

The Factory Bar and Restaurant - Chill, dim lit tapas bar. Top-notch cocktails. Warm, homey feeling. Delicious plates.

Joe's Restaurant - You can't go wrong with Joe's if your looking to satisfy your Italian craving. Family-owned. Friendly atmosphere. Solid authentic Italian food.

For dessert, deep rooted Italian baking is always fresh at family-owned Grimaldi's Bakery.

Attractions and Nightlife

Topos Bookstore -This cozy bookstore full of plants and plenty of sunlight offers a relaxing environment for all the book worms out there. Cold brews and local pastries to make the reading that much sweeter.

Onderdonk House will transport you to another place and time. It's presence is a stark contrast to it's somewhat industrial surroundings.

The Dutch colonial house is a historic icon and one of the oldest well-preserved structures standing in New York City.

Today it serves as a historic archive, a museum, and a gorgeous event space.

Experience local artists and musicians at two major art venues in Ridgewood-- Trans Pecos and The Footlight (see below).

Bars are everywhere in Ridgewood but just to name a few:

• Female-owned Milo's Yard offers patrons pinball machines, cold beers and cocktails and delicious snacks served until 4AM every single day of the week.
• The Footlight Bar is a music venue and a bar all rolled into one. There's no music discrimination - this neighborhood-friendly hot spot holds shows for every genre of music.
• The Bad Old Days is a cozy bar that will seem like an extension of your living room. Extensive drink menu and amazing staff makes this a local favorite.
• The Deep End- whether you are looking for a delicious boozy brunch or the next place to have your birthday party, this cute artsy bar.

Public & Charter Schools

Ridgewood has 12 schools and is located in District #24.

Here are just a few of the public and charter schools in Ridgewood:

How Safe is the Ridgewood Neighborhood?