Why Queens is One of NYC's Best Boroughs To Call Home
Queens offers some balance in lifestyle compared to the rat race and pace of New York City.
https://www.ny.gov/counties/queens is the largest of the boroughs and the most diverse by far. With over 2.5 million residents it is a melting part of people from all over the world speaking over 100+ different languages and bringing their unique cuisines along. Queens is home to so many culturaly vibrant neighborhoods, a plethora of beautiful parks and green spaces, excellent public schools and a hop, skip and a jump to New York City with more affordable home prices than some of the other boroughs. You can literally drive just a few short minutes and find any cuisine of your choosing.
Two major airports, LaGuardia & JFK (John F. Kennedy) provide easy access and convenience to residents from all over the borough. LaGuardia is closer to eastern Queens while JFK is closer to western Queens. Either way you have a choice which can benefit you pricing flights. Besides air travel, the proximity to several major highways provide ease of travel to almost anywhere in New York including Upstate (points north). The Long Island Expressway runs from Manhattan (through the Queens Midtown Tunnel) to Riverhead (on your way to the Hamptons), Grand Central Pkwy runs from the Triborough Bridge in Queens to the Queens-Nassau County Line. The Cross Island Parkway starts in Cambria Heights and runs to the Throgs Neck Bridge in Bayside (to the Bronx). So you can see why people say the location is primo!
Some of the best international food exists here for Greek (Astoria) , Chinese (Flushing), Latin & South Asian (Jackson Heights), Italian (Howard Beach), Korean (Flushing, Auberndale) and so many more. But if you are truly looking for the best place to live in Queens than Whitestone is that place with a perfect balance of suburbia feel meets urban influence.
Discovering Whitestone: The Gem of Queens
Whitestone is located in Northeast Queens bordered by the East River and two major bridges, Whitestone and Throgs Neck. This is no typical New York City neighborhood and feels light years away from the pace and hustle of the surroundsing towns. A deep sense of community and calm exist here. You can see and feel it.
Many first time visitors to Whitestone will say "It doesn't feel like Queens" or "I can't believe this is NYC"! Thats exactly the point and and what makes it so unique are the clean tree-lined streets, well maintained homes, beautiful gardens and laid back vibe. For the most part, you will find mostly single family detached homes in Whitestone creating more green space (some waterfront and luxury) as opposed to high density apartment buildings and large developoments which is why people often refer to it as quiet or peaceful. It is far less congested than Flushing and Bayside and most other Queens neighborhoods.
Whitestone's History
Whitestone was orignally settled by the Dutch but later became home to very wealthy families and developers who came here for the peace and quiet, escaping the rat race of the city. (even then!). Its name was chosen back in the 17th century due to the white limestone that bordered the shores. I find it difficult today to imagine the waterfront without the bridges. Later, Whitestone became a refuge for summer vacations and weekend retreats (1900's) especially for celebrities (Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Harry Houdini and many more) and artists who formed their own little colonies here. Over the years much has changed as Queens has become more urbanized however Whitestone has evolved and diversified but has been able to hold on to its roots in preserving the community with low density housing.
How Whitestone Has Changed in Recent Years
Despite the many changes over the past couple of decades, Whitestone has managed to hold on to the small town charm without getting stuck in the past.
In the past few years there has been an influx of families as well as professionals moving from Brooklyn and Manhattan for the easy commute, quiet and the strong sense of community. They bring with them urban influences which have become part of the fabric here. Whitestone is a perfect balance of suburban yet urban which is what home buyers here today are looking for. They trade the hustle of the city and more congested areas like that of Brooklyn without giving up culture and convenience.
New cafes and coffee shops, trendy and modern, are popping up to meet the expectations of a new generation of residents. That said, there are still many old school pizzerias and businesses that have been here for generations. They exist side by side to serve a more diverse community. One that is a broader representation of Queens while still preserving overall tight knit community feel.
Many homes in Whitestone have been updated and expanded to meet the lifestyle of a new generation. Throughout Whitestone, you'll see many homes being revovated throughout the year. Open floor plans have replaced the small closed off rooms from the past. Home offices, fireplaces and dual use spaces (especially since the pandemic) are common in many homes today. Utility and function are top priority.
The Culture, Community and Cuisine in Whitestone
Whitestone offers a very diverse culinary experience. Some local favorites are: Italian - Riviera Restaurant German- Jagerhaus Biergarten, Greek - To Steki, Chinese - Legend of Taste, Japanese - Casa Asia to name a few. There are also some great local deli's like Tony's of Beechhurst, Sergimmo Salumeria and Cherry Valley offering the best heroes and a plethora of delish gourmet products. While the traditional bakeries are gone a new generation of cafe-type bakeries have taken their place. A couple of local standouts are: Aphrodite Sweets - Greek pastries and excellent cappacinos and Tutto Calcio - Italian pastries (cannoli's) and really great espresso. You don't have to go far for great food!
Culturally speaking, Whitestone offers a blend of past and present; old and new. The success of this community has been in honoring the past and it's history while celebrating and adapting to the new. Nothing is static, we embrace and evolve.
What Makes Whitestone Truly Unique?
- What really sets Whitestone apart from other neighborhoods in Queens is the openness and sense of space. With very few high-rise buildings there's much more green space. Less density.
- Whitestone has very few commercial businesses. The majority of homes in Whitestone are single-family and there is no major thoroughfare cutting down on population, traffic and noise. Quieter.
- Taking a drive around Whitestone you will notice how well homes are cared for and maintained. Beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens everywhere. Homeowners in Whitestone take pride pride in their properties and it shows. Curb Appeal
- While many areas of Queens are lovely Whitestone leans more suburban than many of them due to the wider streets, larger lots and amount of greenspace. Stronger Suburban Feel.
- Community involvement and advocacy are very important for the health of a neighborhood. Both our local council rep Vickie Paladino and the our Civic Association" https://www.welovewhitestone.com/ work together have created strength and unity in our community. Community Advocacy
Real Estate in Whitestone: A Smart Move
In the past decade alone, prices of homes in Whitestone have nearly doubled bringing a great return on investment here. The median price of a single-family home is $934k mid year 2025 and you can take a look at homes for sale in Whitestone at https://www.sellwithacquaviva.com/area-properties to get an idea of home prices in our current market. Properties in Whitestone tend to run higher than many other parts of Queens however compared to New York City and Brooklyn a similar property will cost you substantially less which is why we are seeing an influx of home buyers from these locations purchasing homes in Whitestone. Buyers from these areas feel like they are getting a deal!
While single family homes can be pricey you can purchase a coop or condo in Whitestone for significantly less investment. This gets your foot in the door and gives you the ability to utilize the same amenities for less investment while building equity for a future purcahase. A win-win!
Whitestone's Value Proposition
In a city known for its hustle, vertical living and density Whitestone is the extreme opposite. It is a peaceful, community based neighborhood that still has that throwback charm from decades ago. It is the only neighborhood I know of in Queens that has the perfect blend of:
- Strong suburban feel with urban influences
- Long-term generational roots with a new and diverse generation of home owners
- Space to grow and move up with consistent appreciation and return on investment
If you are looking for a great neighborhood without sacrficing access to New York City than Whitestone may be the perfect place to live.
Final Thoughts: Is Whitestone the Best Place to Live in Queens?
I think so. Having lived in Whitestone for decades but also knowing many other neighborhoods (also very nice) in Queens, I haven't found one that offers what Whitestone offers. The location, culture, history and small town feel make it one of the best places to live in New York City. Whether you are a first-time home buyer, a growing family that is upsizing or just looking for a quiet place to plant roots, Whitestone has it all.