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I recently got a job at the North Shore-LIJ hospital in New Hyde Park and I am planning to move closer to the area. I don't want to live in New Hyde Park because there doesn't seem to be much going on there! It's my first time living in the city and I would like to live in an area where there is some nightlife yet a relatively safe area as I will be on my own. I'm a 22 year girl so I'm not interested in the residential areas of Queens. I definitely want to be in Queens but I don't know what areas are fun/safe and still not a ridiculous commute (I won't have a car) into New Hyde Park. I know there are buses that run straight to the hospital but I am REALLY unfamiliar with public transportation there. Also, areas that are not SUPER EXPENSIVE! I need to start searching for roommates as well and I'm not not sure how much rent can be for a decent place in Queens. I know Astoria is supposed to be great but that would be a long commute to New Hyde Park and I have been told it can be quite expensive.
So 3 questions:
1. Some good areas to live in Queens with nightlife that are not a long bus/train ride to the hospital in New Hyde Park?
2. What buses/trains run to New Hyde Park from the area you recommend (if you know)?
3. Any good sites to search for roommates? (I know craigslist but any others?)
Thanks in advance! I am super nervous about being on my own out there so I really appreciate everyone's help!
Woodside / Sunnyside / Jackson Heights (Historical District). Queens Blvd is loaded with Irish Bars and you can get into Manhattan pretty quickly on the 7.
If your near the Woodside LIRR stop the commute wont be that bad.
In Bayside the LIRR doesn't transfer through Jamaica to get to NHP. IMO there isn't much going on in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens.
You can't take the QM6 express bus (which is $5.50) because going to LIJ its drop off only in Queens (you can't board) & from LIJ, its pickup only in Queens.
As for living:
along Queens Blvd from Forrest Hills to Elmhurst is pretty vibrant & the E/F subway already run there, so its probably a 4 minute subway ride - 50-70 minutes total. Woodside is about 15 minutes on the E/F from Union Tpk which translates into 55-70min without the walk to the subway & missed connections.
Jackson Heights along the 7 if your up for a more international Mama's Empanadas/masala vibe, but then to get to work you'd have to take the 7 to Broadway/Roosevelt Ave & have that heinous escalator ride to transfer to the underground lines.
If you live in Bayside along Northern Blvd, you take the N20/N21 bus to Great Neck & transfer to the N25. Nassau buses don't run as frequently as MTA buses - decidedly less delicious in winter. The LIRR schedule amounts to 15m walk to LIRR + 10m ride+15m wait +10m bus. Plus its $4.50+2.25 one way.
You will not find any "cool" neighborhoods in Queens or Western nassau within reasonable commuting distance from LIJ.
Queens by its nature is a residential borough. There are some more "hip" areas as other's have posted, but they are not near LIJ. Either accept being uncool and focus on working at LIJ, or find a job a hospital in the city or closer to the city if you really want to be "cool".
The best places for you would be either Forest Hills or Bayside by Bell Blvd. The problem though is that North Shore LIJ commute is tiring if you have to take the bus or LIRR everyday. I highly recommend that you purchase or lease a car so that you can still have a decent social life.
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