Why We+You Love Queens

We often hear from our readers how much they love living in Western Queens. Maybe it’s a kind word from someone perusing BORO at a favorite restaurant or while waiting for the train, or perhaps it’s a comment on a Facebook post, but one thing is clear: you love your borough.

So, we dug a little deeper to ask readers a simple question: “What do you love most about living in Western Queens?”

~ Leith McMenamin, Student ~

Long Island City is my favorite neighborhood in New York City. I love it because I can get my favorite coffee at Sweetleaf and a delicious mimosa-heavy brunch at Dominies Hoek. The cultural diversity here means that we have some of the most interesting restaurants in the city. Luckily, Gantry Plaza State Park is pretty enough that I want to work off all that delicious food!

~Ran Craycraft, Founder and Blogger at whyleaveastoria.com~

This place has a way of consuming you – in a good way. Astoria was my seventh city as an adult and even though I wasn’t a familiar face on the block, the neighborhood instantly gave me a chance. I love that Astoria has an open-door policy and we constantly evolve as a community, every day becoming an even better place to live.

~Heather Park, Director Digital Media NARS Cosmetics~

There’s still this incredible quality of realness about Astoria that I cherish. It’s old and new worlds living together; an incredible diversity of cultures, countries and cuisines that co-exist in an authentic, harmonious community. Also, people here are pleasant and polite, not pretentious – a refreshing rarity.

~Emma Cason-Pratt, Graphic Designer~

Queens has a good mix of the old and new. Old families, who have raised generations here, foster a sense of safety and community that you just don’t get in the other boroughs. New restaurants, shops and nightlife make Queens a destination for the budget-conscious who want Manhattan-quality for an affordable price. All that and it’s a quick ride into the city or to the airport.

~Jean McClean, Bookkeeper~

I love Western Queens for the diversity of restaurants. Where else can you have Italian, Mexican, sushi, Indian or any other type of ethnic food you can think of, all within walking distance or a short bus/subway ride away?

~Megan Siefert, Hair Stylist~

I love the restaurants, old and new. The way restaurants challenge themselves and reinvent food is exciting and so convenient! The vintage shops and Steinway Street shopping make it enjoyable to go shopping and not be bombarded with crowds. Astoria Park challenges me to get fit and stay healthy while the pool gives me a chance to cool off and relax over the hot summers. Every day I have the pleasure of walking through Sunnyside Gardens to get to work.

~Christine Haber, Local Artist~

I been living in Astoria, Queens for the past fifteen years. I love it here so much that I started silk screening the I HEART ASTORIA t-shirts. I also work local at Sweet Afton. Living and working in Astoria is so great because of the people and community. Astoria has so much to offer, you never have to leave.