Top Four Reasons to Move to Long Island City

Hundreds of thousands move to New York City yearly, with another 100,000 and change jumping between boroughs. Whether the move is for work, to be closer to family or to get a fresh start, there is something for everyone in the Big Apple. The next big question is where to move to in New York. With a higher cost of living and world-famous traffic jams, where you plant your roots in the city can have a huge impact on your daily life.

According to data from the IRS, Queens is one of the fastest-growing boroughs in the city, just after Brooklyn. But the boroughs are large enough to be cities on their own, so where in Queens should you go?

Why not give Long Island City a shot?

Not That Long Island, the Other One…

Long Island City is technically on Long Island itself, but it falls in the borders of Queens, bordered by Astoria to the north and the East River to the west. The area was an independent city in the late 1800s until being annexed into New York City in 1898. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in NYC and is known for being a great place to live for families and young professionals alike.

Here are the top four reasons to consider if you’re looking to move to Long Island City.

Lower Rent

It’s no secret that rent is not cheap in New York City. According to RentCafe, New York’s housing costs are over 200% higher than the national average. However, there is a lot of variation between boroughs, and Queens is on the cheaper end, with rents up to 38% lower than in Manhattan. LIC is one of the more affordable neighborhoods. While you still won’t get a lot of space (it is New York, after all), the savings can be well worth it when it comes to your standard of living.

Shorter Commute

Manhattan is a great place to work but an expensive place to live. That’s why so many people choose to commute instead. But driving into the city isn’t easy either. If there is one thing New York is known for, it’s traffic (and pizza.) Those looking to move to Long Island City are in luck! The neighborhood has some of the shortest commute times in the city, with an average commute of 36 minutes. Add in the numerous options for public transportation, and getting around is pretty easy!

Arts & Culture Scene

When you think arts and culture, neighborhoods like SoHo and Greenwich Village are probably the first to pop in mind, but Long Island City has its own thriving arts scene. There are dozens of local galleries and studios for rent, providing a creative space for everyone, from playwrights to painters. Culture Lab LIC is the community’s arts and cultural hub, providing gallery and theater space along with plenty of art classes. MoMA PS1 is a former school turned contemporary art space and is an affiliate of the Modern Museum of Art.

Good Schools & Family Life

For those looking to start a family in the Big Apple, Long Island City offers a great compromise between suburban life and big-city living. Niche.com gives the neighborhood an overall A+ rating, with an A for families and a B+ for public schools. Despite being in one of the country’s most densely populated cities, Long Island City has no shortage of green space thanks to its proximity to the waterfront. Parks like Gantry Park, Hunter’s Park South Point, and Queensbridge Park offer plenty of places to picnic, play, or just enjoy the sunshine while providing stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline.

Storage in Long Island City

Having room to fit all your stuff is still a challenge anywhere in the Big Apple; Long Island City is no exception. Renting a self-storage unit from Storage Post makes tiny living a bit less difficult. We offer a variety of sizes to fit any storage needs, whether you need a locker to store your seasonal decor or a large unit to help you downsize. In addition to our space-saving solutions, Storage Post Long Island City offers premium amenities, such as climate-controlled units and convenient drive-up units, along with plenty of onsite parking and friendly, helpful staff. Come down and visit us today, or take advantage of our convenient online rental system and save yourself a trip. We hope to see you soon!