Long Island City

Anyone here live/lived in Long Island City? I am looking for any insight/information you can share about the neighborhood.

Specifically, what sections/buildings do you recommend and any that you would stay away from. Any experience with the schools (public and/or private)?
How is the community as a whole? Any other information you would like to provide?

TIA!!!

Re: Long Island City

LIC is a big place. What parts of it are you interested in?

Re: Long Island City

both my brothers live in long island city. what do you need to know.

Re: Long Island City

DH and I currently live in Forest Hills, but are considering moving to LIC. I am not at all familiar with it and really doing some basic research.

Are there different neighborhoods within LIC? Are certain areas considered more desirable than others? Are there any sections you would recommend living in as opposed to others?

Re: Long Island City

My mom grew up in Sunnyside right next door to LIC. I know the area has gone through some revitalization in the past couple of years. LIC has great restaurants (Vernon Blvd). Hunters Point is the hot area and generally a safe neighborhood. The areas to watch out for a closer to Queens Plaza. IMO, I think you a better staying in Forest Hills school wise if you are planning to have your children attend public school.

Re: Long Island City

Used to work in LIC. If you are looking to rent, I'd suggest trying to find a rental in one of the two towers they have in Hunts Pt. The area is really nice and those buildings (by the tunnel) are co-ops but a lot of people bought them and rent them out.

It's a nice place, I think it's a tiny bit "quiet" on the weekends but you are in such a great location for Manhattan.

Re: Long Island City

I live in Long Island City and have been here for 4 years. We live along the East River in the western most edge of Queens - right by the piers. There are LOADS of new buildings being constructed - I think there are 30 (no joke) within a 5 minute walk from our apt. Our building was the first high rise in the neighborhood - now there are 7 (so far) along the river.

It's getting crazy expensive to live here - and I'm starting to feel like the old lady of the block - and I'm 34!

It's a combo of luxury high rise apartment buildings and single family row houses. The neighborhood used to be Italian American with heavy industry. Now all the industry is gone and it's much more yuppie - but there is still a really nice contingent of people who have grown up here - a lot of little old ladies who sit outside their apts at night and talk - and who organize activities at the catholic church - St. Mary's.

There are lots of parks, a great police precinct - galleries, day care, a school, yoga, etc. There's even a kayak club that kayaks the east river to Brooklyn - for free! I have a young daughter and it's an incredibly family friendly environment. The most traffic you see on a sunday is stroller traffic getting to Andrews Grove park.

I personally HATE water taxi beach on the weekends - brings in 1-2,000 people to my quiet neighborhood on the weekend nights and a lot of them are in their early 20s and walk around drunk, etc. So the community is trying to get it more under control - but again, I do feel a bit like a little old lady around here sometimes.

It's a wonderful place - the store owners all know you, the restaurants are great, the catholic church is very community driven, and there are some really cute shops along Vernon Boulevard. There are some high end stores cropping up - but honestly, I dont think they'll make it.

The only thing its missing is a supermarket - but everyone uses Fresh Direct or goes to Brooklyn or Grand Central for groceries.

If you have any questions - feel free to post them or FM. There is also a good website - queenswest.com - lots of rental info/real estate, etc.

We're giving up our awesome apt on May 1. It has a 1300 square foot terrace (the terrace is bigger than the apt) with unbelievable views of the NY skyline. . . Our building has a bunch of openings if you're interested.

Just wanted to add that the elementary school is in our building - Robert Wagner school. It's supposed to be good and is on the small side - 20 kids in a classroom. Long Island City High School is nearby - but people in my building send their kids either to private school for High School or they have them take the tests for Stuyvesant/Hunter College HS, etc.

Message edited 3/17/2008 4:36:26 PM.