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I have been living in Astoria for over a year. I appreciate it's easy access to the subway, the food, and that it has enough nightlife to hold me down. Because of extenuating circumstances I need to move out of my current apartment. I can either find a new place in Astoria or move to my friends place in Greenpoint.
From everything I can tell Greenpoint seems like a wonderful neighborhood. But do you think I will like it?
I like to drink. Will the nightlife satisfy me?
I understand on weekends and at night the G is horrible, but during commuting times, is it that bad?
Is it as out if the way as some people make it seem?
Give me all and any info that will help make my descision easier.
Should I stay with old reliable Astoria, or venture into the land of the Hipster?
To clarify my last statement... I like many aspects of the culture they bring, but I'm not particularly fond of them. Got plenty of them in Astoria at this point.
It's kind of a toss up. There are more train issues with the G than the N. I find there is more variety of places to go and eat in Astoria over Greenpoint.
Not sure where in Greenpoint your friend is, but walking to the L @ Bedford is always an option or taking the B61 bus to the 7 and N trains at Queensboro Plaza.
If you choose to stay in Astoria, I would recommend either staying by Astoria or Ditmars on the N trains for those times they decide to run express out of nowhere. The other option is being by the R and V on Steinway.
ETA: Since you stated you would prefer to be away from hipsters, then yes stay away from Greenpoint. You can't avoid them at all there.
To clarify my last statement... I like many aspects of the culture they bring, but I'm not particularly fond of them. Got plenty of them in Astoria at this point.
Let me put it this way. If you think the light hipster density in Astoria is bad, Greenpoint is 1000x worse.
The thing is I don't want to let the presence of hipsters be the determining factor. I don't like yuppies but I have lived in UES. I'm going to be me anywhere I go regardless of who is around me. So anyone have anything else to add? I get it, many hipsters exist in greenpoint.
Ok, hipster issue aside...the G train is a real drawback. It does not go to Manhattan, comes less frequently than other trains, and is generally inconvenient. It takes me about 45 minutes to get from Greenpoint to my job in lower Manhattan and I live right by the train. For reference, it took me about the same time from Washington Heights, literally four times further away. To be honest, I do sometimes find it frustrating to be so physically close, yet so far via transit.
That said, it almost always runs on schedule and is almost never crowded.
As for night life, Greenpoint is probably a little sleepier than Astoria, but it has plenty of bars and restaurants. It also has cafes, art galleries, music venues, and a (really small) book store, if those things appeal to you.
Where would you be living?
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