Wanting to live in Queens? New York City’s largest borough is perfect for singles and young professionals, thanks to its convenient public transportation options, lively entertainment scene, access to green space, and more. Check out these five best neighborhoods in Queens for singles and young professionals!
Astoria
- Home Price: $397,118 median purchase price; $1,339 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of New York City neighborhoods
Located in the northwest corner of the city and roughly just a 20-minute train ride from Manhattan, Astoria is perfect for singles and young professionals looking for a safe, affordable neighborhood in Queens to call home! Locals can find a variety of housing options here, including brownstones, apartments, luxury condos, and even waterfront properties. Known for its stunning views of NYC, Astoria sports lots of parks, music venues, trendy restaurants, beer gardens, and other hip hangout spots. Residents also flock to Steinway Street, which offers boutique shopping and even more eateries for young adults to check out. Plus, movie buffs will be delighted to know that Kaufman Astoria Studios is located here, where hit TV shows like Orange Is The New Black and popular films like Star Wars were shot!
Things to Do in Astoria
Play tennis, run on the track, or take in the stunning views along the East River at Astoria Park. Explore outdoor art exhibitions, relax at outdoor yoga, or have a picnic near the waterfront at Socrates Sculpture Park. Watch short films or walk through exhibits like Refreshing the Loop and The Jim Henson Exhibition at the Museum of The Moving Image. Take advantage of one of the daily tours or stroll through the indoor galleries on your own to gain a deeper understanding of artist Isamu Noguchi at The Noguchi Museum. Order the Braised Meatballs, Wild Boar Lasagna, or Hanger Steak at Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar. Get your fix of Indian staples like Chicken Curry, Lamb Rogan Josh, or Vegetable Masala at Saffron Indian Cuisine. Sip on unique craft cocktails like the Mykonos Mule, Ocean Blue, or Bumbu Punch during happy hour at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Pick up Italian-inspired baked goods like Cannolis, Biscotti, or Pignoli Cookies for dessert at the family-owned La Guli Pastry Shop.
Flushing
- Home Price: $423,546 median purchase price; $1,171 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of New York City neighborhoods
Home to one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, Flushing is a diverse, multicultural neighborhood, food lover’s paradise, and great place in Queens for singles and young professionals to live! Housing options in this neighborhood range from high-rise apartments to brick townhouses, all at varying price points. If you’re looking to pursue higher education, you’ll be happy to know that Flushing is in close proximity to Queens College. Meanwhile, Flushing residents looking to start their careers in nearby areas like The Bronx, Long Island, or Manhattan can easily travel via the Whitestone Expressway or take the Port Washington Line. Known as one of the first five towns of Queens, residents can learn more about this historic area and explore NYC landmarks like the Bowne House through the “Flushing Freedom Mile” walking tour. And tennis fans, get excited—the main US Open stadium is found in this neighborhood, so you’ll have a front-row seat to all the action!
Things to Do in Flushing
Hit up the soccer or cricket fields at Kissena Corridor Park—or hop across Main St to walk through acres of perennials, view the wetlands, smell the roses, and more at Queens Botanical Garden. Grab tickets to events like the Louis Armstrong Legacy Monthly Jazz Jam or participate in a variety of cooking or art workshops at Flushing Town Hall, built way back in 1862. Learn about innovators of color, stroll through exhibits like Lewis Latimer: Electrical Pioneer, and attend events like the Virtual STEAM Series put on by the Lewis Latimer House Museum. Enjoy several dining options and find your new favorite outfit at retail shops like Adidas, Old Navy, or Marshalls at Flushing’s premier shopping destination, The Shops at Skyview. Fill up on Korean barbecue favorites like Beef Bulgogi, Top Blade Steak, or Sesame Soy Chicken at Meat Me BBQ. Head to Izakaya Nana for dishes that offer a balance between tradition and innovation—like the Crazy Nana Roll, Tornado Omelet Fried Rice, or Grilled Eel. Dine on Homemade Meatball Soup, Shrimp Fried Rice, or Live Lobster at Alley 41. Or spend date night in Downtown Flushing and order craft cocktails like The Grand, Apple Bubble, or Lucky Me at popular speakeasy, The Attic.
Glendale
- Home Price: $449,020 median purchase price; $1,174 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of New York City neighborhoods
Glendale is a safe, suburban Queens neighborhood filled with green spaces and plenty of things to do. Its tree-lined streets are not only scenic, but provide an abundance of housing options suitable for young adults—no matter if you’re hoping to purchase a brick Tudor or Colonial home or settle into an apartment complex. A big perk of this neighborhood is that it’s home to The Shops at Atlas Park, which features many stores, restaurants, fun events like Summer Concerts, as well as a movie theater and more. In addition, with several public transportation options like the Babylon Branch train and the subway’s M Line, residents also have convenient access to the variety of amenities and things to do in nearby Manhattan!
Things to Do in Glendale
Schedule a tee time at a popular spot for NYC golfers, Forest Park Golf Course. Check out nearby consignment stores like Gotham Thrift Shop and Ridgewood Thrift Shop for a diverse mix of vintage clothing, furniture, and more. Spend a day outdoors playing baseball, walking around the Ridgewood Reservoir, or having a barbecue at Highland Park. Challenge your friends to fun activities like basketball, soccer, or dodgeball at the Artistic Stitch Sports Complex. Savor dishes like Banana Pancakes, a Greek Omelette, or Romanian Steak & Eggs for breakfast at the Glendale Diner. Indulge in BBQ Chicken Pizza, Lasagna, or Shrimp Alfredo at the local Glendale Pizza. Select from a variety of German eats like Jaegerschnitzel, Sauerbraten, or Leberkase a la Holstein at Zum Stammtisch. Or pick from seasonal beers like the Crescent Fresh, Red Shift, or Buddy System to unwind at Finback Brewery.
Ridgewood
- Home Price: $428,957 median purchase price; $1,317 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of New York City neighborhoods
Bordering Brooklyn, Ridgewood is one of the best neighborhoods in Queens, and it shows off its roots with a variety of German restaurants and hang-out spots to kick back at. High-quality entertainment options are around nearly every corner, from hip bars and music venues to trendy breweries. Singles are also sure to find their fill of foodie fixes and coffee shops that dot this Queens neighborhood, offering a wide range of cuisine options to fit any craving. There are a variety of classic rowhomes, single-family houses, and Renaissance-Revival apartment complexes available in Ridgewood for young professionals to choose from when searching for the best Queens neighborhood for them!
Things to Do in Ridgewood
Take a guided tour to see a variety of historical exhibits or check out the seasonal gardens at the mid-17th century Vander Ende -Onderdonk House. Find used books in genres like fiction, poetry, and mystery, and be sure to hit up the espresso bar at Topos Bookstore. Play laser tag, book tickets for a paintball session, go to an 18+ roller skating night, and more at the Area 53 NYC amusement park. Listen to a live band, catch a comedy show, or go dancing with friends at TV Eye—the eclectic “nightclub like no other.” Enjoy brunch with friends on the weekend and eat dishes like Ricotta Cavatelli, Grilled Branzino, or Wagyu Beef Skirt Steak at Rolo’s. Order the Vegan Burger or Avocado Toast with a Classic Mimosa at the all-day cafe, Julia’s Ridgewood. Grab a Filet O Fish Sandwich, Mushroom Burger, or Nachos while listening to a late-night DJ at Nowadays. Or choose from a variety of cocktails like a Martini, Old Fashioned, or Mai Tai at the Sundown Bar.
Sunnyside
- Home Price: $410,644 median purchase price; $1,466 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 49% of New York City neighborhoods
Sunnyside may be an attractive Queens neighborhood for families due to its quiet, friendly nature—but these aspects also make it the perfect spot for singles and young professionals looking to settle down! Here, you’ll find a welcoming community, tons of bike routes, and several pet-friendly playgrounds. Residential streets showcase a variety of Victorian homes, modern apartments, brick row houses, industrial lofts, and unique Greek architecture. The Sunnyside Gardens Historic District—a planned “garden city” founded in 1924—also resides in this Queens neighborhood and provides lush green space for residents to enjoy. Young professionals looking for an escape from city life without losing great amenities will love living in Sunnyside—especially with the 7 Train allowing convenient travel to and from Manhattan!
Things to Do in Sunnyside
Socialize with neighbors, play a round of ping pong, or attend events like Oktoberfest at the member-only Sunnyside Gardens Park. Grab tickets to a show at the bilingual Thalia Spanish Theatre, which has put on over 240 productions of Spanish plays, traditional music, and dance shows. Shop for books, vintage clothing, handmade dresses, and more at nearby thrift stores like Sunnyside Thrift Shop and Bliss Vintage by Violet’s Volition. Begin your morning with an Iced Cappuccino, Frozen Latte, or Cold Brew at Full Moon Cafe. Satisfy your cravings with a Macro Bowl, Cinnamon Raisin Bagel, or Avocado Toast Sandwich at Brookside Market. Indulge in a Veggie Burger, a Roast Beef Sandwich, or Atlantic Salmon at The Lowery Bar and Kitchen. Feast on Italian favorites like the Margherita Pizza, Fritto Misto, or Mango Salad at Sotto Le Stelle. Or chow down a BLT Sandwich, Grilled Calamari, or Chicken Caesar Wrap at cozy corner diner Cafe 52.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes