Borough Spotlight: Moving to Queens

Arguably the most ethnically diverse corner of the world, Queens is the NYC borough that literally has it all – and without all the bells and whistles of some other places in New York. The more low-key sister of the boroughs, Queens is jam-packed with culture and awesomeness, but they aren’t as loud about it.

It’s a borough that tends to walk the walk rather than talk the talk.

Photo Credit: NY Times

With an estimated 2015 population of 2,339,150, Queens saw a population growth of a whopping 4.9 percent over the last five years. For those looking for a city lifestyle that is still home to entire sections of straight-up suburbia, Queens is bursting with a rich culture, a deep appreciation for all kinds of food, and pretty close to zero pretension.  

Here are some fun facts you might not know about Queens, along with some necessities that will be helpful for your move:

• Queens was established as one of the first 12 counties of the province of New York in 1683.

• The largest of the five boroughs, Queens became part of Greater New York in 1898.

• With tons of sprawling parkland, Queens is home to three of the top 10 largest parks in NYC, including Forest Park, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and Alley Pond Park.

• Home to the New York Mets, CitiField in Flushing is buzzing with all-American fun in the summertime. And they don’t only feature baseball games. CitiField also hosts obstacle-course races, concerts, corporate events, proms, weddings, and more!

• Queens is known for having some of the best pizza in the world!

Local Tip: Check out these 7 Queens pizzerias that will blow the taste buds out of your mouth.

• Queens has designated neighborhoods where you can get some of the most authentically ethnic food in the world outside of their home countries. Craving Greek? Head over to Astoria. Looking for Chinese or Korean BBQ? Flushing is the place to be. Glendale will fill you up with German eats; Jackson Heights is known for its Indian and Colombian cuisine, and Corona will provide you with some of the best Dominican food you’ve ever tried. You can tour the world all in one borough.

• You can encounter real pockets of suburbia here. In neighborhoods like Bayside, Forest Hills or Douglaston, for example, finding a home with a backyard and a pool isn’t as rare as some might think.

Photo Credit: Minimally Minimal

• Queens is home to tons of museums and art centers, including the New York Hall of Science, the Motion Picture Museum, MoMA PS1 and the Queens Museum. More into nature? The Queens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis that is home to 25 exquisite gardens. 

• The median price for a Queens home is $560,000, while the average cost of renting is $2,626 per month.

• It’s a good idea to do your utility research in order to have all of your necessities smoothed out before arriving. By having your water, electricity, cable, gas, etc., all set up and ready to go, it will make the transition that much more streamlined.

Check out these four tips for a successful move to Queens:

Photo Credit: The Odyssey Online

1. Give yourself planning time.

With any move, it’s crucial to pay extra attention to the planning process. Make sure that you start preparing at least six weeks prior to your moving date.

Pro Tip: It is important to check on the moving truck accessibility for Queens. Additional charges are incurred if the household goods need to be transferred to a smaller truck to navigate through a gated community or a crowded downtown.

2. The sturdier the box, the better.

Make sure that you invest in some good, durable moving boxes. Your most prized and personal possessions are going to be making their way to this popular borough, so it’s imperative that they are protected as best they can be.

Pro Tip: Check out your local liquor stores, banks, etc. They tend to give boxes away for free!

3. Pack smart!

Think about your current items – think about what you absolutely NEED, and what can likely get tossed or donated. Bring your essentials, but consider getting rid of that old ironing board and investing in some new kitchen appliances once you’re settled in.

4. Take inventory and provide the contents' details on those boxes.

It pays to be extra-organized. Take pictures of all of your belongings so that you know exactly what you are or aren’t bringing with you. And don’t forget to label those boxes with as much detail as possible. Nothing is worse than arriving at an empty house or apartment with a truck load of un-labeled or sort of labeled boxes. The better the details on your boxes, the easier it will be when you start to unpack and fill your new space.