Forest Hills (Ridge, Morristown, Stamford: safest neighborhood, restaurants, gardens)

[indieandy]

I'm a young white professional considering getting an apt. in Forest Hills. I've looked at Astoria and other areas, but I'd like somewhere a little cleaner and neighborhood-like.

How is Forest Hills? Is everything you need within walking distance? Is it a safe place for my girlfriend to walk around at night? Are there bars/nightlife (doesn't have to be ALOT, just several good choices). How long is the commute to midtown?

I grew up in Jersey suburbs, so I'm looking to find a nice in-between (a la Morristown, Stamford CT, etc.).

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by indieandy

I'm a young white professional considering getting an apt. in Forest Hills. I've looked at Astoria and other areas, but I'd like somewhere a little cleaner and neighborhood-like.

How is Forest Hills? Is everything you need within walking distance? Is it a safe place for my girlfriend to walk around at night? Are there bars/nightlife (doesn't have to be ALOT, just several good choices). How long is the commute to midtown?

I grew up in Jersey suburbs, so I'm looking to find a nice in-between (a la Morristown, Stamford CT, etc.).

I don't see what the problem with Astoria was, it has more of the things you want than Forest Hills..

[DoomDan515]

Originally Posted by indieandy

I'm a young white professional considering getting an apt. in Forest Hills. I've looked at Astoria and other areas, but I'd like somewhere a little cleaner and neighborhood-like.

How is Forest Hills? Is everything you need within walking distance? Is it a safe place for my girlfriend to walk around at night? Are there bars/nightlife (doesn't have to be ALOT, just several good choices). How long is the commute to midtown?

I grew up in Jersey suburbs, so I'm looking to find a nice in-between (a la Morristown, Stamford CT, etc.).

Forest Hills is a far better choice then Astoria, trust me.

It's one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, has plenty to do, and have great public transportation options. And everything you need is close by. Metropolitan Avenue, Austin Street, and Queens Boulevard are the main commercial drags. Both Austin and Queens Blvd basically run right through the center of the neighborhood.

It's a very clean neighborhood aswell, unlike Astoria.

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by DoomDan515

Forest Hills is a far better choice then Astoria, trust me.

It's one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, has plenty to do, and have great public transportation options. And everything you need is close by. Metropolitan Avenue, Austin Street, and Queens Boulevard are the main commercial drags. Both Austin and Queens Blvd basically run right through the center of the neighborhood.

It's a very clean neighborhood aswell, unlike Astoria.

What's so dirty about Astoria?

[mead]

Forest Hills is nice and is VERY safe by city standards. However it is definitely lacking in bars. I can only think of a handful of real bars, but I'm sure some of the restaurants on Austin Street serve liquor.

Forest Hills is more of a family oriented place. If you're looking for a trendy neighborhood with lots to do for a 20 year old, I think you better look elsewhere.

[DoomDan515]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

What's so dirty about Astoria?

Steinway Street, 30 Avenue, 31 Street etc. I find Astoria to be a very unattractive and even somewhat depressing looking neighborhood. Forest Hills, esp. Forest Hills Gardens is the exact opposite.

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by DoomDan515

Steinway Street, 30 Avenue, 31 Street etc. I find Astoria to be a very unattractive and even somewhat depressing looking neighborhood. Forest Hills, esp. Forest Hills Gardens is the exact opposite.

I guess, they're not OPTIMAL areas for viewing pleasure.. but I've seen some pretty "dirty" areas, and these are very far from them in comparison.

[indieandy]

Originally Posted by DoomDan515

Forest Hills is a far better choice then Astoria, trust me.

It's one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, has plenty to do, and have great public transportation options. And everything you need is close by. Metropolitan Avenue, Austin Street, and Queens Boulevard are the main commercial drags. Both Austin and Queens Blvd basically run right through the center of the neighborhood.

It's a very clean neighborhood aswell, unlike Astoria.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check out those drags this weekend. I have been told that Austin St. has the best stores/restaurants.

[indieandy]

Originally Posted by mead

Forest Hills is nice and is VERY safe by city standards. However it is definitely lacking in bars. I can only think of a handful of real bars, but I'm sure some of the restaurants on Austin Street serve liquor.

Forest Hills is more of a family oriented place. If you're looking for a trendy neighborhood with lots to do for a 20 year old, I think you better look elsewhere.

As long as there are a few places where other young people go. I'm thinking of checking out Bay Ridge, but I hear that alot of their bars are filled with older "locals" (which I would never want to change... the locals should always have their spots). Any suggestions for someone in their early-mid 20s?

[indieandy]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

I guess, they're not OPTIMAL areas for viewing pleasure.. but I've seen some pretty "dirty" areas, and these are very far from them in comparison.

30th isn't too bad. Broadway and Steinway are pretty dirty though.