Liberty Ave, Richmond Hill

It's important to note that Liberty Ave runs through a good portion of Queens, thus this review will focus on the "Richmond Hill" portion of Liberty Avenue where it intersects with Lefferts Blvd. The first thing you notice when looking at a map is that this place is pretty far out into queens. Have no fear, while the J/E trains aren't fantastic, you can be in midtown within 40 minutes on a good day. With that being said, the distance makes weekend travel to anywhere a nightmare, unless like many Richmond Hill residents, you have a car. The neighborhood has a very ethnic feel to it. West Indian, Guyanese and Indian merchants dominate the blocks surrounding the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Lefforts. The neighborhood offers some great cuisine but closes up fairly early. On the weekends, the streets are packed with people walking from market to market buying food. If you don't share a similar background with the residents, you will stand out, but they are by no means hostile towards outsiders. If you do have a car, parking is a bit tedious as there are many houses with driveways, thus tons of curb cuts and little street parking. You will, however, be close to the LIE, Van Wyck, Jackie Robinson Parkway and the Belt, which can pretty much take you anywhere in Queens or Brooklyn within 30 minutes on the weekends (traffic permitting). Not a good place for singles, as the social and night life options are limited and the bar scence is very local. It would be prefectly adequate for a couple or a family if you are looking for a bit more space and an interesting cultural vibe.