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:
| Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom |
| $1,976 | $2,068 | $2,347 | $2,608 |
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.
Subway lines in neighborhood
- M
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- L
BMT Canarsie 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.
| Bus | Location |
|---|---|
| B13 | Grandview Av/ Gates Av |
| B26 | Wyckoff Av/Palmetto St |
| B52 | Wyckoff Av/Palmetto St |
| B54 | Palmetto St/Wyckoff Av |
| Q38 | Seneca Av/Palmetto St |
| Q39 | Forest Av/Metropolitan Av |
| Q55 | Wyckoff Av/Palmetto St |
| Q58 | Wyckoff Av/Palmetto St |
| Q67 | Metropolitan Av/Fresh Pond Rd |
| B20 | Forest Av/67th Av |
| B38 | Metropolitan Av/Starr St |
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:
| School | Information | Notes |
| Ps 229 Emanuel Kaplan | Public - PK-5 - 1457 students | Community-minded school, great after school program, dedicated PTA |
| Is 93 Ridgewood | Public - 6-8 - 1176 students | Dual language honors program, good teachers and kind staff, diverse student population |
| Is 5 The Walter Crowley Intermediate School | Public - 6-9 - 1782 students | Disciplined school, great leadership, dedicated staff, fun environment |
| P.S. 128 the Lorraine Tuzzo, Juniper Valley Elementary School | Public - K-8 - 951 students | 17:1 student-teacher ratio, organized and friendly staff, experienced teachers, overcrowded |
| Ps 49 Dorothy Bonawit Kole | Public - K-8 - 1097 students | arts are integrated in the cirriculum, 18:1 student-teacher ratio |
| Is 73 The Frank Sansivieri Intermediate School | Public - 6-8 - 1902 students | Strong arts program; Spanish dual language instruction |
| Ps 102 Bayview | Public - PK-5 - 1291 students | Hands on principle and staff, strong foundation in reading, several advanced academic tracks |
| I.S. 119 the Glendale | Public - K-3, 6-8, 1188 students | Very high standards, Goal-based initiatives move students and teachers toward progress |
| Civic Leadership Academy | Public - 9-12 - 479 students | Strong academics, close-knit community that provides strong preparation for college |