Whitestone, Queens

I'd have to disagree with some of the other reviewers who have complained about the transportation. This neighborhood houses mainly families and retirees, and just about everyone who lives here owns a car. It really depends on traffic, but that's the case for all of New York. It also really depends on the specific area of Whitestone that you're coming from/to. That said, I've never had any problems getting anywhere with my car. From where I live, it takes just 20 minutes to get to Manhattan, 15 minutes to Nassau County, 15 minutes to the Bronx, 20 minutes to Brooklyn, and half an hour to New Jersey. On the other hand, it does not have the best public transportation links to the subway, but there are plenty of buses.

Whitestone also has some of the best public schools in the city. P. S. 209, JHS 194, PS 79, JHS 185... there are plenty of schools including some with great kindergarten programs. This is also a safe neighborhood with clean parks, playgrounds, and many small stores. There are also some great restaurants in Whitestone. The people are usually very nice and they're often eager to help, but at the same time, few will bother you if you prefer to be left alone. I will say that while there are some bars, there isn't much of a nightlife, so it isn't really suitable for someone who is looking for that. There is a wonderful movie theater and bowling alley.

Other than that, after living in Whitestone for more than twenty years, I'd recommend it to just about anyone.

Across the bay from the Bronx is the Queens neighborhood of Whitestone, which is also somewhat close to LaGuardia Airport (close enough for viewing pleasure of the air taxis, but not close enough to suffer from much noise pollution). There is a lot of prime real estate here, if you are into that sort of thing, though cheaper apartments are being built as we speak. The area may appear nice and peaceful, but it’s ideal to have a car up here, as the nearest train station involves a fifteen minute bus ride just to get to it.

Whitestone is a neighborhood located in north-central Queens with the East River running to the north and Bayside Avenue to the south. The area was formerly known for its mansions built by rich New Yorkers in the late 19th century. Today, the neighborhood is made up of mostly single family homes, garden apartment complexes, and smaller apartment buildings.

150th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway helps to form Whitestone’s commercial district. Here you will find several restaurants, a florist, the bakery, a shoe-repair shop, a deli, and a barbershop. Ralph’s Barbershop and Stork’s Pastry Shop has served the neighborhood sine the early 1950s. Generation after generation have frequented many of these locally owned businesses.

There are also two major shopping malls in Whitestone, the Whitestone Mall on 153rd Street and the Waldbaum’s Shopping Plaza on 154th Street, which offer more than just your retail fix, but also, unmetered parking!

The nearest subway and Long Island Rail Road stations are on Main Street in Flushing, approximately 15 minutes away. Many residents believe that due to the inconvenience of limited transportation in the neighborhood the community is able to maintain its privacy and suburban character.

Whitestone’s schools have a great reputation in Queens and accompanied with the neighborhood’s convenient shopping, attractive residential streets, this is a great place to raise your family for many generations to come.