Did you know that if Queens decided collectively to rebel from the concrete establishment that is New York City and do its own thing, it would very likely establish itself as the fourth largest city in the United States? That’s larger than Philadelphia and Houston and even Nebraska. Yet those on a roommate finder search often talk about the borough like it’s a second-rate choice when you can’t find that perfect place for less than a small fortune in Manhattan.
But we can prove you wrong! If you’re considering living in Queens – or hadn’t even given it a second thought until right now – here are 5 tips to really living it up and enjoying the best of this NYC borough.
Start by Getting Used to the Diversity when Embarking on a Queens Roommate Finder Hunt
When we say diversity, we mean pretty much everything. The neighborhoods in Queens cover just about every walk of life, from Japantown to Koreatown, to the young professionals of Astoria and Flushing and even the overhyped glamor of Forest Hills. If you’re looking to live among a niche culture, Queens is the place to be.
Everything is Cheaper in Queens
The average apartment rent in this part of the world is as much as $1,000 cheaper per month. That’s a huge difference! Just image how many extra cocktails or groceries you could buy in a month. And it’s not only the apartments that are cheaper; utilities, food and the overall cost of living is lower than living in the city. Just by moving from Manhattan to Queens, you’ll probably save around $20,000 a year. That is a lot of cash!
Just Because You Reside in Queens Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Work in Manhattan
It is actually the complete opposite. Astoria, which is one of the hottest up-and-coming places in Queens, is a mere 20-minute train ride into Midtown Manhattan and the drive takes even less time. In fact, the commute time isn’t any longer than that of Brooklyn residents who work in Manhattan. So the extra ten or twenty minutes of commuting each day is certainly worth the big savings you’ll be enjoying. Ready to start your roommate finder search yet?
Thanks to Gentrification, Queens is A Great Place to Live
While Queens has never quite had that hipster, artistic vibe Brooklyn had, its form of gentrification hasn’t been as noticeable, but the variety of small, ethnic enclaves are very quickly becoming bigger and better developed and the wealthier areas like Elmhurst and Jackson Heights are spreading into the nearby neighborhoods. All throughout Queens, gentrification has become a slow and steady reality, rendering it a viable location for many people over the last decade.
There Are Incredible Cultural Benefits to Be Had Living in Queens
Because of the high diversity and the wide range of separate, flourishing cultures in Queens, the area has some of the best free events on offer in New York City. Passport Fridays are now on offer at The Museum of Art which includes a free dance or outdoor musical performance complete with a film and loads of international culture. The Thalia Spanish Theater hosts weekly Latin Festivals and Noguchi Museum offers free concerts in the sculpture garden every second Sunday.
Queens Really is on the Up and Up
Queens truly is being gentrified in the same way as Brooklyn has been. It’s just a bus ride to Brooklyn instead of a subway ride which means you get the chance to make a call or check your emails in transit and without any commuting hassles.
Life in Queens is all about hearing the soothing sounds of crickets at night instead of the bustling roar of New York City transplants who haven’t yet found the basic, cheap and quieter wonder of areas deep in Queens. It’s deep into the borough that you will find a multitude of hidden gems, like quaint family-owned pizza places that have been around since your parents were kids. What’s more, living in Queens is like having roots in a city where so many people seem to arrive rootless. You get to feel a sense of belonging and content that wouldn’t otherwise be experienced in the crowded streets of New York City.
If you’re convinced it’s time to consider Queens for your next move, it’s time to use a reputable roommate finder website and find that perfect match in the perfect spot – and save a load of money while you’re at it!