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I am a young professional, moving to the city from out of state. I will be working in Bayside, Queens. I am having a lot of trouble narrowing my apartment search to neighborhoods that are commutable to Bayside. I am looking for the following things:
- Young professional vibe and decent nightlife in Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan (I love Astoria, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, UES, LES, East Village, but these neighborhoods all seem too far to commute)
- Commute under 50 minutes via public transportation, preferably with only 1-2 transfers OR an area where keeping a car and driving to work would be feasible (this is what is killing my search)
- Convenient to Manhattan via public transportation
- Money is not a factor. I will pay and get roommates to live in an area that is appealing to me.
Does this exist?! I am starting to think that my best bet might be to live in midtown and take the LIRR to Bayside. I guess I could live anywhere along a subway line that goes directly to Penn Station and then take the LIRR from there. Is this my best option? Are there any neighborhoods in Brooklyn or Queens that have what I want but are more convenient or would allow me to drive?
I am a young professional, moving to the city from out of state. I will be working in Bayside, Queens. I am having a lot of trouble narrowing my apartment search to neighborhoods that are commutable to Bayside. I am looking for the following things:
- Young professional vibe and decent nightlife in Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan (I love Astoria, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, UES, LES, East Village, but these neighborhoods all seem too far to commute)
- Commute under 50 minutes via public transportation, preferably with only 1-2 transfers OR an area where keeping a car and driving to work would be feasible (this is what is killing my search)
- Convenient to Manhattan via public transportation
- Money is not a factor. I will pay and get roommates to live in an area that is appealing to me.
Does this exist?! I am starting to think that my best bet might be to live in midtown and take the LIRR to Bayside. I guess I could live anywhere along a subway line that goes directly to Penn Station and then take the LIRR from there. Is this my best option? Are there any neighborhoods in Brooklyn or Queens that have what I want but are more convenient or would allow me to drive?
The subway does not go to Bayside. So the only viable public transportation option between Manhattan and Bayside is LIRR.
The only other neighborhood that I would suggest to you in Queens is Forest Hills which has LIRR station as well convenient subway service to Manhattan and is closer to Bayside than the neighborhoods that you mention. So it would be feasible to commute by car from Forest Hills to Bayside. If money isn't an issue you could rent an apt. in a building that has parking garage for your car. Forest Hills has some night life of restaurants around Austin Street area as well as some on Metropolitan Avenue. There are also movie theaters on Queens Blvd., Austin Street & Metropolitan Avenue.
I think Astoria is do-able, but the commute might be more like an hour. Check the stations near the N/Q. You would take the N/Q and transfer to the 7 at Queensboro Plaza (the transfer is extremely easy and only involves stepping across the platform). Then the 7 to 61st St./Woodside where you would get the LIRR.
You could also look at Sunnyside, which is serviced by the 7 train and you could just take the 7 to the Woodside station and transfer to the LIRR. It is not as young and nightlife-friendly as Astoria, but you might find it to your liking. Long Island City would be another option. It is also serviced by the 7 train and has a young/vibrant scene and a slew of expensive condos, although I think Astoria is much more interesting.
From what you described, I don't think you would enjoy Forest Hills (just IMHO).
I think Astoria is do-able, but the commute might be more like an hour. Check the stations near the N/Q. You would take the N/Q and transfer to the 7 at Queensboro Plaza (the transfer is extremely easy and only involves stepping across the platform). Then the 7 to 61st St./Woodside where you would get the LIRR.
Actually, you have to go up a flight of steps to make the transfer.
Just an FYI, but I think it might be better to take the bus to the LIRR. Depending on where the OP is, they could take the Q18 to Woodside, or take the Q19 or Q66 to Flushing (which, BTW is in a cheaper fare zone than Woodside).
Thanks for all of the replies. I have been doing a lot of calculations, considering subways, commuter rails, and buses, and it seems I will have a number of transfers on different types of transportation (e.g., subway to commuter train to bus) if I want to live anywhere near Manhattan. I'm sure people make it work, but I just can't see myself traveling 3 legs of a trip twice a day. If it was all subway it might be doable, but I really can't see the subway/bus/commuter rail combo going well for everyday transportation, especially in the middle of January when it is snowing and lines are delayed.
It kills me to think about spending $7000-$8000/yr on parking, gas, and insurance to keep my car...but I think it might be my only real option if I want to keep the commute <1 hr. I've never been to Kew Gardens/Forest Hills, but will be looking at these neighborhoods next weekend. That would put me at a really easy commute by car. Would Astoria-Bayside or LIC-Bayside (in reverse, around rush hour), be a terrible commute via car? I know it's about 30 minutes with minimal traffic on the LIE, how would that be at peak times?
Thanks so much for the help. I'm doing as much research as I can but there's only so much information that you can find on the internet.
I think Astoria is do-able, but the commute might be more like an hour. Check the stations near the N/Q. You would take the N/Q and transfer to the 7 at Queensboro Plaza (the transfer is extremely easy and only involves stepping across the platform). Then the 7 to 61st St./Woodside where you would get the LIRR.
Depends Henna...The Manhattan bound trains N/Q/7 are on the lower level. The Flushing bound 7 and the Astoria bound N/Q trains are on the upper level. Coming from Astoria on the N/Q going to Flushing on the 7 requires going up the stairs to the upper level.
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