Long Island City – Urban, Suburban, Or Both
Long Island City is a neighborhood located at the western corner of Queens. It is one of NYC’s fastest-growing neighborhoods and is known for its arts community with a high concentration of art institutions, galleries, studio spaces, and waterfront parks.
Brief Overview of Long Island City
Long Island City (LIC) is both a residential and commercial neighborhood resting on the western tip of Queens. It is bordered by Astoria, Newtown Creek, New Calvary Cemetery, and East River.
Long Island City was primarily an industrial neighborhood. The residential expansion here only started around 2001. Hence, most of the residential buildings in this area are relatively new.
Several housing options exist in Long Island City—from condos to apartments, brownstones, and tiny single-family homes. A lot of residential buildings also feature well-maintained historical and architectural elements.
You can spend your time roaming art galleries, hip nightclubs, or expensive restaurants. But if you do wish to get to Manhattan, hop on the #7 subway at Hunter’s Point, and you will be in Midtown in five minutes. In fact, this is what makes LIC a smart choice for people who work or plan to work in Manhattan.
Though the city rests in a different borough, it is just three miles away by subway. In fact, LIC lies so close to Manhattan that you might even be able to walk there across the Queensboro Bridge. What’s more, this emerging hot spot has everything that’s great about NYC that you might never want to cross the river again.
Moving to Long Island City can be a great choice if you wish to stay away from yet close to the crowded and busy Manhattan. Additionally, there are many things to enjoy that make this place a great neighborhood for you and your family.
Homes for Sale
Education in Long Island City
Education opportunities are plenty in Long Island City. The island is home to numerous high schools, some of which offer specializations. However, the specialized schools shouldn’t be confused with the elite specialized high schools. The latter provides programs that are included at specialized high schools. Some of the most notable high schools that offer specialization in the area include:
- Academy of American Studies
- Aviation Career and Technical High School
- Long Island City High School
- Academy for Careers in Television & Film
- Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
- High School of Applied Communication
- William Cullen Bryant High School
Furthermore, several institutions of higher education also exist in Long Island City, such as:
- Columbia University’s Depression Project
- LaGuardia Community College
- Briarcliffe College
- DeVry University
- City University of New York School of Law
- Touro College
The Climate in Long Island City
Long Island City lies in the transition zone between a humid subtropical climate and a hot-summer humid continental climate. The area enjoys 200 sunny days, 49 inches of rain, and 62 inches of snow per year. The summers are humid and hot with occasional thunderstorms, spring and fall with mild weather, and winters are cold with snow, rain, and stormier conditions. The most pleasant months on Long Island City’s are June, July, and August, while January and February happen to be the least comfortable.
Public Transportation in Long Island City
Several major forms of transportation serve Long Island City, including MTA, ferry, and aviation. The area is served by the Long Island City and Hunterspoint Avenue stations of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The East Side Access project brings LIRR trains to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and will open a new train tunnel beneath the East River connecting Long Island City and Queens with the East Side of Manhattan.
Furthermore, the neighborhood holds eight subway lines, bus lines, and CitiBike stations. It also has the East River Ferry that stops at Hunters Point South and the Gantry Plaza State Park.
The NY Waterway serves several points along the East River. It is a part of the NYC Ferry’s East River route, which runs between East 34th Street Ferry Landing in Murray Hill and Pier 11/Wall Street in Manhattan’s Financial District, with five intermediate stops in Queens and Brooklyn.
Additionally, LIC lies near two of NYC’s major airports—John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
Make Your Home in Long Island City
Neighborhoods to live in are plenty on Long Island City. Depending on whether you prefer staying closer to the beach or having an easy commute to New York City, you can find the best area to call home. Regardless of where you choose to stay, Long Island City will offer you easy access to Brooklyn, and the neighboring boroughs, therefore creating a perfect balance between urban and suburban.
