Queens
, New York is an ideal location for anyone who dreams of moving to the Big Apple but needs somewhere more family-friendly and with a lower cost of living. What’s more, New York City’s largest borough offers plenty of entertainment, cultural diversity, and a reliable job market. Queens was established in 1683 as one of the original 12 counties of New York
. Since then, it’s grown into NYC’s second most populous borough, with a current population of 2.5 million. With approximately 47% of its residents born outside of the U.S., Queens is the most linguistically diverse place on Earth and is one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the country. If you’re thinking of moving to Queens, there’s a good chance you’ll fit right in, but you still shouldn’t move to NYC without knowing all the facts. Luckily, Jerry
—the reliable super app
that helps New Yorkers save on everything from renters insurance
to car insurance
—has created this handy guide containing everything you need to know before the big move. What you need to know about Queens before you move
Located on the western tip of Long Island, bordering Brooklyn, Queens is both geographically large and populous. The borough has diverse housing, from traditional NYC high rises in western neighborhoods like Long Island City to low-rise structures and single-family homes in the eastern part of the borough.
Here are seven things you should keep in mind before signing a lease or buying a home in Queens.
1. Its cost of living is higher than the national average but less than the rest of NYC
Let’s not forget that Queens is a part of NYC, with many of its neighborhoods just a few minutes’ commute from Manhattan. This means that the borough’s cost of living is higher than the national average (about 50% higher), so you’ll have to be prepared to shell out some extra cash if you’re moving from the South or Midwest.
However, many parts of Queens have significantly lower costs of living than other NYC boroughs
—in fact, up to 40% lower. The average monthly rent in Queens is $2,780, while home prices circle $862,483. However, you’ll find incredible variations in rental and mortgage costs depending on where in Queens you are.
Neighborhoods that border the east side of Manhattan, like Astoria and Long Island City, tend to be more expensive. But, the closer to Long Island you go, the lower your prices will be. For instance, a three-bedroom rental can be found in Woodhaven for $1,800-$2,300, while the average rent for a one-bedroom in Manhattan is $4,075.
2. The job market is incredibly robust
Queens has the second-largest economy of the five boroughs, so chances are you won’t struggle to find a good job, with ample opportunities in the healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment, retail, and transportation industries.
This is thanks, in part, to some major professional hubs that employ millions of Americans. Mount Sinai Queens and New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital offer endless job opportunities to those in the healthcare field, while aspiring pilots can find employment at one of NYC’s two airports, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia.
Want to work in sports? You can find employment at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Citi Field (home to the New York Mets baseball team), the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (the site of the U.S. Open tennis tournament), and more!
Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other parts of New York are also easily accessible, so if you find that commuting for work is necessary, we can assure you it won’t be a problem. In fact, more than 75% of Queens residents don’t work inside the borough, itself.
3. Public transportation makes most of Queens easily accessible
New York City has the top-rated public transportation system in the country, and Queens benefits greatly from this.
Thirteen subway routes traverse Queens, servicing 81 stations on eleven main lines. Add in an extensive bus network, and you’ll have no problem commuting throughout most of the borough—or to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond.
Just keep in mind that the northeastern portion of the borough isn’t quite as accessible by subway, so you’ll have to rely primarily on buses.
Prefer driving your own vehicle? Thirty-eight percent of Queens residents drive themselves to work. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to fight some pretty significant bridge traffic if you’re heading into Manhattan every morning.
4. It’s one of the most diverse places in the world
Approximately 2.5 million people live in Queens, with more than 50% of those people speaking a language other than English in their homes. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, there are more than 160 languages spoken in the borough, making it the most linguistically diverse place in the entire world.
Over half of Queens’ current residents are foreign-born, which means that you’ll have constant access to ethnic cooking and culturally diverse celebrations. Just make sure that you’re comfortable communicating with people from all corners of the earth and all walks of life.
5. There are fantastic opportunities for education
There are so many things that make Queens one of the most family-friendly NYC boroughs, but its fantastic schooling systems should occupy the top space on the list.
Queens has a vast range of schools to choose from, ranging from general studies public schools to specialized STEM or arts high schools. You may have even heard of Townsend Harris High School, which is ranked as one of the best schools in NYC as well as one of the top 100 high schools in the entire country.
Are your kids college-bound? They can choose between LaGuardia Community College, Queens College, St. John’s University, and York College—or make the short commute to nearby world-renowned campuses like Columbia University, New York University, the Juilliard School, and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
6. The weather can be less-than-perfect
Certain parts of New York State are infamous for their snowy climates (we’re looking at you, Buffalo), and while Queens is much closer to the ocean and generally warmer than upstate, it’s still important to note that you shouldn’t expect sunny, comfortable weather all year round.
Summers can be incredibly hot and humid (thank goodness Queens has plenty of beaches!), while winters get cold and windy. Queens averages 25 inches of snow per year.
7. You better root for the Mets
If you’re from outside of NYC, you may associate the Big Apple with the New York Yankees, but if you’re going to move to Queens, then you better root for the Mets!
Does Queens live up to its stereotypes?
If you think “expensive” when you think of New York City’s five boroughs, we’re sorry to say that you’re probably right. Even though Queens is one of the most affordable parts of New York, it’s still significantly more expensive than other American cities.
However, we’re happy to say that Queens also lives up to its reputation for diversity. Walk down any main street in Queens and you’ll be met with enticing culinary smells from all over the world. Pop into a grocery store and hear dialects from countless countries far away. And if you, yourself, are a U.S. immigrant, you'll have no trouble finding a place that feels like home in Queens.
Key Takeaway Queens’ high cost of living is balanced out by its diversity, great job opportunities, robust public transportation system, and top-notch educational institutions.
Finding a place to live in Queens
Finding a place to live in Queens can be quite intimidating, both because of the area’s high cost of living and because of the borough’s overwhelming size.
The first thing you’ll want to do is establish a budget. The average monthly rent in Queens is $2,780, while homes sell for around $862,483—however, the actual price you’ll pay depends largely on the neighborhood you choose to move to.
Areas closest to Manhattan will be the most expensive, with Long Island City ranking as most likely to break the bank. Here, a studio will cost you about $2,700 a month, while a three-bedroom will have a massive monthly rent of around $7,600. Other expensive neighborhoods include Astoria, Ridgewood, Maspeth, and Forest Hills.
If this sounds way out of your budget, don’t worry—there are far more affordable areas elsewhere in Queens. In Murray Hill, which is located near Flushing, you can expect to pay around $1,619 per month for a studio and $2,800 for a three-bed. Other affordable neighborhoods include Woodside, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, and Ditmars Steinway.
Once you figure out what you can afford, you should then consider your family’s demographics, as well as why you’re moving to Queens.
For example, if you’re a young, single, working professional, you’ll probably want to choose a neighborhood with easy access to Manhattan, such as Astoria or Long Island City. While Murray Hill is affordable, NYC’s subway systems don’t reach that far into Queens, so your commute will be a hassle.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood, you might be more inclined to consider somewhere with more single-family home options, like Jackson Heights—which is famous for its rowhomes and Tudor-style houses—or Jamaica, a quiet neighborhood with easy access to the area’s major college campuses.
Keep in mind that New York City’s housing and rental markets are pretty cutthroat, so it may be wise to invest in a professional real estate agent or rental broker who can help you secure a great place to live.
Pro Tip Using a realtor or broker is a great way to narrow down which Queens neighborhood is affordable and practical for you and your family.
Moving to Queens checklist
Once you've figured out where you want to live and how much you can afford to spend, it’s time to get packing! Our handy checklist will walk you through the entire process, from packing up your old place to spending your first night in your new home.
Before you go
Before moving day, you should:
Pack up
your belongings in organized and labeled boxes, and don’t forget the bubble wrap! If this sounds like a big task, consider asking your friends
for help!Make a list of people you need to notify that you’re moving, such as your landlord, employer, utility company, and insurance provider
.
After you get there
Once you arrive in Queens, you’ll be eager to unpack your boxes and get settled—but there are a few essential steps you have to take first:
Update your mailing address, voter registration, and healthcare information.
Explore your new neighborhood! Look for everything that’s important to you, from nightlife and restaurants to libraries and dog parks! And don’t forget to be on the lookout for the perfect cup of New York coffee
.
How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Queens
Moving to a new city means you’ll have to handle a lot of logistics, including hunting for new renters, homeowners, and/or car insurance policies.
A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
“Jerry
was absolutely worth it. I saved $150, which might not sound like a lot, but really helps me as a New York City resident.” —Jameson T.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
FAQs
4.7
