10 Best Neighborhoods to Rent in Queens 2023

For the average New Yorker, finding a home is a careful calculation of price, location, square footage, amenities, and so on—usually in that order. With a low budget, searching for a great apartment to rent in Brooklyn and Manhattan’s hip neighborhoods can be soul-crushing work.

This is partly because not as many renters are setting their sites North and East. Neighboring underdog Queens sports several neighborhoods with all the vibrant energy of Manhattan for half the price. Queens is densely populated, uniquely diverse, and has a fantastic array of local bars, restaurants, and cultural outings all walking distance from its historic pre-war houses and spacious apartments.

Queens has some of the best up-and-coming and affordable neighborhoods to check out if you’re in the market for new digs this new decade.

Before You Start Your Search

Consider what matters to you in a neighborhood. Of course, budget and vibe will always fall first in line but think about your long-term goals for your new place.

Is this a temporary apartment before you buy a house, or do you plan to stay long-term and raise kids? Here is a quiz to get you started thinking about what matters.

• Do you spend a lot of time at local bars and restaurants?
• Are you a bookstore or a movie theater person? (Does the neighborhood have either of these?)
• Are you a walker? Is the neighborhood nice to walk around?
• Do you want to be near big shopping centers and grocery outlets or prefer mom-and-pop boutiques?
• Is parking a priority? (If so, you might consider prioritizing a modern building with on-site parking.)
• Are there certain school districts you’re aiming for?
• Are you looking for a short commute? Is being close to the train important, or do you work from home and need it to be quiet?
• Would you like to be close to a park with a playground or a dog run?
• Are you a gym rat? (Think about the proximity of parks with exercise areas and gyms that suit your needs. )

If you’ve sorted that all out, you’ll also need to prepare your materials to make the application process a breeze.

Most landlords will require a credit check and proof that you make at least 40 times the monthly rent. Hunt down those paystubs or screenshot a bank statement check deposit.

The apartment rental process is pretty standard across most of NYC, and Queens is no exception. Most places will let you use a guarantor if you don’t make 40 times the rent.

To find how much you can afford, try our Rent Affordability Calculator.

You can also check out the NYC map of average rent prices by neighborhood.

What is the Security Deposit for an Apartment?

Many agencies or landlords may require a deposit right away as a sign of good faith.

While it doesn't guarantee you the apartment, it should be considered one of the first steps of your application process.

If you should be asked to place a deposit right away at the time of application, be sure you are given a deposit or earnest money agreement and receipt, with the refund policy clearly spelled out.

Some management companies and landlords may require the security deposit only at the time of lease signing and not before.

For more information, read: What is a Security Deposit?

Requirements to Apply For an Apartment

When you apply for an apartment, you'll need to fill out an application form that will be used to check your credit as well.

A fee associated with this application can range from $20-$200, depending on the agency, management company, or credit service the landlord is using.

Nowadays, many applications are processed online through a third-party service such as On-Site.com or Screeningworks.com.

Simultaneously, you'll be asked to submit income documentation proving that you have the finances required to lease the apartment.

This can include a Photo ID, Paystubs, tax returns, letters of employment, and bank statements.

If you are a freelancer, it may be a little trickier, but not impossible to qualify.

To find out what you need to do to qualify, read: How Self-Employed Freelancers Can Qualify for a Rental Apartment in NYC.

Overall, you'll need to prove to the landlord that you make at least 40 times the monthly rent. That means if the asking rent is $2,000, you'll need to show that you make at least $80,000 a year.

Furthermore, your credit score and history will definitely be in question.

Even if your score is good, the landlord may still feel nervous about you if you show any peculiarities in your report.

Find out more by reading: What Do New York City Landlords Look for in a Credit Check.

What You Can Do If You Don't Qualify

In some cases, you may not qualify on your own for an apartment in New York.

Two ideas would be to go in with roommates (pooling your income together) or get a guarantor.

There's good news for New Yorkers who don't know anyone to guarantee their lease because you can always get professional guarantor insurance.

Essentials for Moving into an Apartment

It's not mandatory by law to purchase renters insurance, as it is with auto insurance when you purchase a car but getting renters insurance is a must if you want to know your possessions are protected.

Your landlord is not required by law to compensate you for any loss or damage even if his or her neglect or actions resulted in your possessions being damaged or stolen.

As a matter of fact, more and more landlords require proof of renters insurance in order to sign a lease a move in.

Next, you'll want to make certain that any movers you're hiring have insurance to cover potential damages to your items and the buildings you're moving out of and into.

Often, the management company or the landlord will need to see proof of their liability insurance.

If you plan on moving yourself, you'll probably need to pay a security deposit.

Which Energy, Character, and Vibe Best Suit You?

Now, onto what you’re always already looking for: the personality of your new place.

Maybe you want a sleek modern house with all-new stainless steel appliances, central A/C, and a gym onsite that has never seen a rat or a cockroach in all of its two-year lifespan?

If so, you’ll probably want to stick to some of the more developed areas of Queens like Ridgewood and Long Island City. (You deserve luxury after a day’s hustle!)

Or maybe you want a more classic, charming old-school New York space, replete with crown moldings, arch-ways, and old-school New York neighbors.

If so, the vast majority of Queens is your oyster. Choose from any of the cheaper up-and-coming neighborhoods, many of which have bounties of historic pre-war charm.

Neighborhoods in Queens also vary from cozy family-oriented to hotspots for young people, to more commonly, a mix of both.

The neighborhoods I’ll outline here are all safe, have a smattering of grocery stores within walking distance and are kid and pet-friendly.

Queens Neighborhoods

Similar to Brooklyn, the areas of Queens closer to Manhattan like Astoria, Long Island City and, recently, Ridgewood tend to be the most expensive, competitive and gentrified.

In these neighborhoods, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find hip coffee spots, lively bars, and twenty-somethings.

These neighborhoods offer a very quick commute to Manhattan.

Areas in Eastern Queens such as Jackson Heights, Woodside, Flushing, and Maspbeth tend to be cheaper, extremely diverse and less traversed by hipsters.

These areas have plenty to offer in terms of family-friendly activities, outlet shopping, good size houses, and car-accessibility.

These neighborhoods are densely populated and have a variety of subway lines.

Neighborhoods farther out in Queens like Steinway, the Far Rockaways, Jamaica, and Forest Hills tend to feel suburban and have mostly large single-family homes, similar to South Brooklyn.

Queens is the most diverse borough in the city and its eclectic mix of neighborhoods reflects this.

In considering where to rent, several factors should weigh in. Commute, scenery, neighborhood crowds and establishments. This overview will give you a nice snapshot of the benefits of renting in Queens.

Most of Queens has a healthy mixture of families, young professional/artist hot spots and all the conveniences one expects from NYC.

It’s still relatively affordable (especially in comparison to Manhattan or Brooklyn) and space-wise, it will give you more bang for your buck. It also tends to have low crime rates, walkability and plenty of parks.

Northwestern Queens

The neighborhoods in Northwestern Queens are some of the most well-known, some of the closest to Manhattan and some of the most well-developed—of course, that also means they’re the most expensive and competitive.

These neighborhoods include Astoria, Long Island City, and Ditmars-Steinway (Hunters Point and Ravenswood are considered LIC), and Sunnyside.

Of the three, Astoria and Long Island City are the most happening. Both have plenty on offer in terms of art, nightlife and park vistas, and are a quick subway ride from Manhattan.

Astoria boasts the international diversity typical of the borough—it’s part lively urban scene, part Old Country and part quaint family life.

With its show-stopping city views, art scene and popular night-life options, it has been a hot spot for young professionals for a while now.

It’s also about as close as you can get to midtown Manhattan without actually living there, making most commutes a breeze.

Long Island City is home to the vibrant PS1, Museum of the Moving Image, Socrates Sculpture Park and Flux Factory.

A quick stroll down its main crawl reveals plentiful bar and restaurants, and new parks have begun to crop up to match the needs of young professionals who want to start families

Ditmars Steinway also has a lot to offer in terms of bars, restaurants and coffee shops and it has become home to young professional spillover from neighboring Astoria.

It does have a more suburban feel than its southern counterpart, but in some cases—like if you’re interested in a kitchen you can actually walk around in—that might be a good thing.

It’s also one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods of Queens, with many European immigrants and again, a quick commute.

Sunnyside is a reasonably affordable neighborhood, especially when compared to Long Island City.

It has great subway access, and it’s very family-friendly, with lots of parks and accessible public schools.

It offers spacious pre-war apartments and a variety of single-family homes. Most houses have either front or backyards, but modern high-rises are not as common.

Central Queens

For the most part, central Queens is a very residential zone with quiet, suburban vibes.

However, there are a few standout neighborhoods in this group, among them Ridgewood, Forest Hills, and Kew Gardens.

The full scope of central Queens is composed of Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Kew Gardens, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Forest Hills, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona, and North Corona.

You may have heard that Ridgewood is more than up-and-coming—it has fully arrived on the scene with plentiful hip bars, noodle places, dance clubs, galleries, and community spaces.

Luckily, the rents are still lagging behind (for now).

Like the rest of Queens, the apartments in the older row houses in Ridgewood tend to be bigger than your average Manhattan or Brooklyn dwelling and will cost less as well.

But these are not shoebox Manhattan apartments—even a studio in Ridgewood will likely get you an eat-in kitchen and quirky carpeted landing storage space.

As has become the norm in Manhattan and Brooklyn, shiny new developments have begun to crop up in Ridgewood, particularly near the L and M train stops.

So if Central Air is really your thing, this neighborhood also has you covered.

Most Ridgewood apartments are about a 10-15 minute walk from the L or M, and walking distance from a variety of affordable grocery stores, sprawling neighborhood parks, and some of the most authentic Eastern European, Middle-Eastern, and Latin American cuisine in the city.

The other notable desirable neighborhoods in this part of Queens would be Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Rego Park, which are generally considered desirable areas of the borough.

Some of the other neighborhoods in central Queens like Middle Village, Jackson Heights, Woodside, and Glendale tend to be very affordable and offer rentals in a combination of apartment building complexes and multi-family homes.

Homeownership is very common in these areas as well.

Central Queens is ideal for New Yorkers looking for peace and quiet, with the exception of few areas that might be close to an elevated train line or near the highway such as in Ridgewood and Maspeth.

The majority of Central Queens may not have as many trendy coffee shops as Ridgewood or Long Island City, but that’s likely to change soon as more millennials flood toward cheaper rents.

In the meantime, renting here might be a great way to get ahead of the curve.

Eastern Queens

Eastern Queens is home to one of the most famous Queens neighborhoods--the always notable Flushing, known for its large Asian population and destination eateries.

Flushing is crowded, far from Manhattan, close to the Mets, easily-accessible on the 7 train and very, very lively. Try one of the great Karaoke spots.

The other neighborhoods in Eastern Queens-- Forest Hills, Elmhurst, Corona, and Woodside--tend to be quieter and more family-oriented, but they all are good options for low budget rentals and authentic New York international vibrancy.

Woodside has remained under the radar for many New Yorkers, but has the classic Queens combo of low rents, spacious dwellings, cultural diversity, and exceptional local takeout options.

Historically an Irish neighborhood, it sports many Irish pubs and its own Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

The housing options are mostly low-rise, and it’s, again, common to rent an apartment in someone’s home.

Forest Hills and Corona tend to be very residential, with more big apartment buildings than their counterparts, but a heavy emphasis on family life.

These are great neighborhoods if you drive everywhere and want a really spacious house.

They’re home to big outlet centers and grocery stores tend to have parking lots. Forest Hills is reachable via the E/M trains and Corona is off the 7.

Elmhurst has the most subway options outside of Long Island City (M, R, and E) if the commute is a big factor.

It’s also one of the most affordable areas in Queens with amazing Thai, Indonesian and Argentinian food.

Northern Queens

Northern Queens is a relatively small swath of the borough, but home to historic stronghold Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and Upper Ditmars.

Jackson Heights is full of lively urban, international energy—over 167 languages are spoken in this neighborhood alone! It has always been a neighborhood of immigrants—from Eastern-European Jews in the early 20th century to South Asians and Latin Americans in the present.

This makes for a fascinating history, a proliferation of enclaves called “Little Pakistan” and “Little Colombia,” and a vast array of some of the most authentic global eateries, mom and pop boutiques and grocery stores in NYC.

As of recent, Jackson Heights’ many subway lines (the 7, E, F, M and R) and spacious pre-war co-ops have become attractive to a younger crowd and rent prices have gone up.

In comparison to the rest of the city, however, rents are still widely affordable. Apartments often include vintage detailing inside and working fireplaces, and modern high-rise condos are not as common.

East Elmhurst, as one of the first neighborhoods where African-Americans could buy homes, has remained pretty stable and suburban-esque since the mid 20th century.

It’s a strong community: you’ll likely know your neighbors on a first-name basis and they might even help you out of a pickle.

East Elmhurst has no direct train to Manhattan but several connecting buses. It offers spacious houses and a very quiet peaceful atmosphere.

Upper Ditmars (or Astoria Heights) tends to have spillover from Astoria-Ditmars, and much of the same energy (though a bit quieter.

Because you’re not in the prime section of Astoria, your rent will likely be cheaper. This is still relatively under the radar neighborhood, and it doesn’t have the same great subway access you’ll find in Astoria.

In Conclusion

Overall, Queens is a great option if you’re looking for more space, convenience, and proximity to authentic international food options!

Pretty much all neighborhoods in Queens make it easy to get into Manhattan for work, and areas like Ridgewood and Long Island City provide great accessibility to Brooklyn along the G and L lines, in case all your friends haven’t caught on to the opportunities out North/East yet.