Howard Beach, Queens

Howard Beach is a waterfront / waterview community that has been traditionally underrated. The population is primarily Italian and Jewish. A good percentage of the residents are there for life, so you see a lot of retirees and older residents. There are diverse housing options, including co-ops, private homes, condos, and garden apartments, all in a wide range of prices. Cross Bay Boulevard is the heart of Howard Beach, where you'll find tons of restaurants and stores. However, the diversity of the stores isn't great; there aren't too many trendy stores for upscale shopping. The prices in Howard Beach are diverse (mainly due to the fact that there are so many different kinds of housing), but a lot of its residents love it because it offers Long Island-style living, but with far lower property taxes. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the recreational activities have to do with the water. There are boat clubs, fishing stores, etc. Some of the problems with Howard Beach include the fact that many outsiders associate it with the mafia, and the commute to Manhattan takes an hour or more. Another important issue is the fact that the homes here are prone to flooding.

Howard Beach is a neighborhood along the southwestern section of Queens. Ozone Park borders the north, East New York lies along the west, and Broad Channel is to the south.

Recreation in the area revolves around the water, with plenty of opportunities to sail, fish, and crab. The Frank M. Charles Memorial Park, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, has ballfields and playgrounds for the kids.

There is not a lot of nightlife in Howard Beach and some of the singles do complain about this fact. There is no shortage, however, of eateries, primarily Italian restaurants and pizza parlors. A few Chinese restaurants also populate the neighborhood. Cross Bay Boulevard is where you will find most stores, including Waldbaum’s Supermarket. There are also several bait and tackle shops for your fishing needs.

It is nearly an hour commute via subway to midtown Manhattan during rush hour. Rush hour express buses serve midtown but not downtown.

Waterfront property usually means that there is an affluent community nearby (though this is not always the case for New York City), and this neighborhood is no exception. This little community is near Hamilton Beach, and it is populated by many rich Italian-Americans (the likes of both John Gotti and Joe Massino have called Howard Beach their home; the area is notorious for being affiliated with organized crime members). Also making the area their home are Irish-, German-, and Jewish-American families. The neighborhood looks much like the sort of suburbia you find outside of New York City, which is appropriate because out here you almost are outside of the city.

Howard Beach is a dynamic section of Queens, with a predominantly Italian-American population. Historically, the area was built along the water for commercial reasons, as it surrounded by water. The area has bee home to various celebrities and musicians, such as John Gotti and Woody Guthrie. For a great deal of its history, Howard Beach was known for its infamous residents, many of whom were apart of the mafia. Today, the neighborhood is much safer, and despite is checkered past, saw great developments even during times of strife. An important element of Howard Beach is naturally the water, with various sections situated strategically around the most beautiful sections of the water including Bay Harbour, Hawtree Creek, and Sand Beach. The main thoroughfare of Crossbay Boulevard is filled with various restraunts, some chain and some locally owned, as well as motels, jewelry shops, hair salons, gyms, dance and fitness centers, tanning and nail salons, medical offices, banks, and even the Crossbay Motorcycle store. The neighborhood is a family neighborhood filled with public, private, and parochial schools as well as various places of worship, including temples and Roman Catholic churches. This neighborhood is convenient and well connected, with real estate options ranging from homes to condominiums to rental propertied. Homes in Howard Beach are free standing with lawns, a nice shift from Manhattan living, with prices ranging from $200,000 for two bedroom homes to nearly $700,000 for the most modern waterfront housing. The waterfront homes are more expensive and decadent, many with private docks and access to the water. Frank M. Charles Memorial Park provides all residents of Howard Beach with a chance to enjoy the water, with playgrounds and recreational facilities. Howard Beach is a fantastic place to live.

Transportation: A Train to Howard Beach