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My family is planning a move to NYC end of this year from Toronto, Canada, and we've narrowed down to Astoria or Bayside for renting a 2 bedroom apartment. Husband's work will be in midtown, and would like to keep commuting time to under 1 hour. We have one 5 year old daughter, so school is important too!
I'm looking for some input on the following questions:
1. From my research so far, it appears that commuting time from Bayside (via LIRR) wouldn't be that much longer than from Astoria (via Metro), other than the train being less frequent. Can residents in either of the area provide your views on this?
2. We're only planning to live in Queens for about 2 years. So I'm mainly looking at Kindergarten and Grade 1 schools for my daughter. As between Astoria and Bayside, which would be a better choice? (I think Bayside, but wanted to hear about Astoria schools in case they can be a contender, if at all.) We're also open to Catholic schools.
Also, I know it might be hard to get her into a good school at all since we'll be moving during the school year. If anyone can provide some advice on this, I'd greatly appreciate it!
3. Our max rental budget is $3,000. Can people please comment on how realistic it is to find 800-1000 sqft apartment, with in suite laundry (too much to ask?), in the above two mentioned areas?
My family is planning a move to NYC end of this year from Toronto, Canada, and we've narrowed down to Astoria or Bayside for renting a 2 bedroom apartment. Husband's work will be in midtown, and would like to keep commuting time to under 1 hour. We have one 5 year old daughter, so school is important too!
I'm looking for some input on the following questions:
1. From my research so far, it appears that commuting time from Bayside (via LIRR) wouldn't be that much longer than from Astoria (via Metro), other than the train being less frequent. Can residents in either of the area provide your views on this?
THANK YOU!
Astoria is much closer to Manhattan than Bayside. The subway fares are much cheaper than the LIRR fares.
Definitely Astoria. The LIRR isn't worth it with all the buses and fairly easy accessibility to a subway (throughout Queens at least). The one thing Bayside does have is its location in a top school district.
If location is key, then Astoria. If school is key, Bayside. Cost? Either way, depending on your financial situation and prioritising what type of housing you need. However, I don't see why Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Park Slope et al don't seem to make it on the list? Those have some good schools and reasonable commutes as well. All are more family friendly than Astoria.
If location is key, then Astoria. If school is key, Bayside. Cost? Either way, depending on your financial situation and prioritising what type of housing you need. However, I don't see why Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Park Slope et al don't seem to make it on the list? Those have some good schools and reasonable commutes as well. All are more family friendly than Astoria.
I would add Forest Hills in Queens which has good schools and a reasonable subway commute to Manhattan.
As someone already mentioned, for school, Bayside and for the commute Astoria.
However, this is only temporary for 2yrs or so, I would go with Astoria because I have not see too many gangsters in kindergarten and elementary schools lately. I tend to think in the early years, home is where toddlers should gain the fundamentals.
As someone already mentioned, for school, Bayside and for the commute Astoria.
However, this is only temporary for 2yrs or so, I would go with Astoria because I have not see too many gangsters in kindergarten and elementary schools lately. I tend to think in the early years, home is where toddlers should gain the fundamentals.
lol... I think you're being funny, no? Unless I'm being naive, and should consider gangster intrusion in kindergarten in these named areas? Thanks!
I would add Forest Hills in Queens which has good schools and a reasonable subway commute to Manhattan.
Thank you! We're not the kind of Type A personalities that does comprehensive review of every neighbourhood, and go through a process of elimination. (Although I wish I could be that thorough :-). I just picked Astoria for its short commute and Bayside for its school, and happy to have Forest Hill as a happy medium. The goal is to live in a safe area with good schools and easy access to mid town.
Husband also works long and unpredictable hours. How easy is it to get a cab to go to Queens in the middle of the night?
My vote goes to Forest hills.
A good compromise between good schools and a reasonable commute.
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lol... I think you're being funny, no? Unless I'm being naive, and should consider gangster intrusion in kindergarten in these named areas? Thanks!
