Kew Garden Hills - Flushing, NY

During the 1700s, the area now known as Kew Gardens Hills was owned by William Furman, whose farm was sold off a number of times. By the 1800s farmland still prevailed, though advancing transportation hastened development in surrounding communities. Abraham Wolosoff purchased and designed his own community in Kew Gardens Hills, giving it the name currently used. Subway construction, proximity to Manhattan and completion of the Grand Central Parkway attracted hundreds of new residents, with 1,200 homes built by 1939.

After choosing your Kew Gardens Hills apartment, stop by the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, located on the campus of Queens Community College. This museum offers unique exhibits and diverse art collections. For dance, theater performances, and concerts, head to the Selma and Max Kupferberg Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. The Queens College Choral Society performs an annual spring concert here, as well.

Neighborhood restaurants consist of a variety of cuisines, and most of them line Main Street. One such eatery is Naomi's Kosher Pizza & Israel Falafel. This cherished spot has an older ambiance, no doubt a result of its over 30 years of existence in the neighborhood. The place is friendly and gets busier by night, with the chatters of satisfied customers buzzing through the restaurant. People enjoy the pizzas, but the falafels bring them back to the restaurant time and time again. Locals regard Naomi's as the best falafel spot in Queens, filling up customers with authentically cooked falafel rice balls on warm pita bread, with self-serve homemade hot sauce on top and an unlimited mini-salad bar.

Kyoto Sushi headlines the Asian cuisine in the area from its location on the Union Turnpike. The restaurant combines beautiful food presentation and service with modern furnishings and East Asian decor. They even have a few Japanese-style private booths available, where you'll take off your shoes and dine in a manner much closer to the food's country of origin. Staple Japanese and Thai foods populate the menu, served quickly and stylishly. Diners praise the variety of fresh sushi rolls and the large portions of Pad Thai. Try the pineapple fried rice for a unique surprise you won't find anywhere else; the rice is served inside an actual pineapple.

After dinner, why not head to Max and Mina's Ice Cream on Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills for dessert? The parlor has received national attention for its ever-changing eccentric flavors, even earning the number one spot of the top 10 unique ice cream parlors in America in the book, Everybody Loves Ice Cream: The Whole Scoop on America's Favorite Treat.

Residents have a few local bars in Kew Gardens Hills and also travel to other areas in Queens for nightlife activity. In the neighborhood, Parsons Ale House serves as a main hangout spot. The spot draws a large crowd for drinks, pool, appetizers, music, karaoke, and more. Come on Friday nights for shots priced at $4.

With its walkability, bike lanes, available buses, and subway system, you won't need a car when you move to an apartment in Kew Gardens Hills, but if you decide you want one, this neighborhood is near several major highways such as the Van Wyck Expressway and the Jackie Robinson Parkway. You'll find several public parking lots available for a small fee, providing both temporary and long-term parking.

Cab services available for use in the neighborhood include Flushing Car Service, Jewel Car Service, or simply the Uber app on smartphones. For public transportation, residents can take advantage of the many local MTA bus routes and nearby subway stations to get around the city and to commute to work destinations. Air travel is satisfied by the JFK International Airport, just a quick ride away.

You can take your children to one of the many local playgrounds in Kew Gardens Hills, such as Emerald Playground on 164th Street with basketball courts and a kids' play area. A few additional neighborhood playgrounds include the baseballs fields and basketball courts of Freedom Square Playground and the Pomonok Playground across the street from Queens College.

Kew Gardens Hills residents enjoy time at Kissena Park with its idyllic setting including the Kissena Lake, dog-friendly walking paths, a golf course, and even a velodrome to test out your cycling skills. West of Kew Gardens Hills sits the famous Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a 1,255-acre expanse bursting with activity. The fourth largest public park in New York City, locals love to ride their bikes through the park or savor a peaceful family picnic on its lush grasses. The park is also home to the venue for the U.S. Open tennis tournament and the New York Mets' baseball stadium, Citi Field.

The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy holds a summer event at the park with a magic show, face painting, and more. The Annual Breakfast event hosted by the Civic Association of Kew Gardens Hills honors important community members.

Kew Gardens Hills has an above-average cost of living compared to national and state averages. As compared to the rest of New York City, Kew Gardens Hills sits about even. Prospective Kew Garden Hills residents can expect to pay about $2,050 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

Living in Kew Gardens Hills allows for easy access to MTA subway or bus rides for around $2.50. Gas prices in the neighborhood are about 12 percent higher than the national average. Pay a visit to the local pubs for beers costing about $6 each.

Kew Gardens Hills' commercial areas exist on Main Street, Union Turnpike, Parsons Boulevard, and Kissena Boulevard. The convenient National Wholesale Liquidators location on Kissena Boulevard allows residents to save money shopping for basic necessities, appliances, home furnishings, clothing for the whole family, and more. For more high-end clothing, Elzee's on Main Street sells fashionable skirts, tops, dresses, and shoes.

Many other neighborhood businesses dot the streets as well, such as K & J Personalized Party Favors and Announcements, which helps make your gift-giving more memorable on those special occasions through customization products and services. Maestro Piano Company on 72nd Drive is a one-stop-shop for all things related to this renowned instrument, providing valuable services like piano buying/selling, repairs, tuning, and rentals.

Grocery and food stores also thrive in Kew Gardens Hills. Purchase some hearty breads at Avraham Bakery in the neighborhood; make sure to try the homemade, 100-percent-whole-wheat rolls and the desserts. The Queens Botanical Garden hosts a seasonal farmers market with outdoor vendors selling plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.