Best Neighborhoods in Queens

For those considering moving to Queens, finding an address in a part of the borough that makes you (and your family if that’s who you’re relocating with) feel safe and at home may seem like a given. However, it’s worth spending some time researching where you’ll both feel secure and happy with the amenities you’re hoping to find in a neighborhood.

To help you in your search, you may want to consider the Queens neighborhoods in the area that have the lowest crime rates as you inform your decision-making process.

Factors to consider when finding a new neighborhood

Beyond safety as a priority, taking some time to ask yourself some questions can you help you get a sense of what other features you’ll need and local amenities you’ll want in your perfect Queens neighborhood:

• What are your necessary neighborhood amenities? Would you like to be close to good schools (if you’re moving with children)? Is having a grocery store or laundromat within walking distance a must-have? Hoping to hop on over to a nearby park or playground from your new address without much fuss? Are any of your ideal neighborhood amenities negotiable? Which ones aren’t? Knowing what factors will make you feel right at home will help you narrow down the locations in your search.
• What about your budget? Though Queens is on the more affordable side when it comes to living in NYC, cost of living and housing prices in particular will vary between neighborhoods in the borough. Having your checklist of ideal neighborhood features and your budget side-by-side will be a powerful tool to help you determine which area will meet your needs without breaking the bank.

Five of the Safest Neighborhoods in Queens

The following list of neighborhoods in the borough are in police precincts that currently have the lowest crime rates in the borough. To better put the rates in perspective: the highest crime rate in Queens currently is in the 103rd precinct, which serves the eastern neighborhoods of Hollis, Hollis Park Gardens, Jamaica, and Lakewood. Many of the neighborhoods with the lowest crime rate do have a few things in common: most are quieter, residential, and have a diverse population. Each has their own charms and features though. When it comes to safety as priority #1, these are the Queens neighborhoods you may want to check out:

• Auburndale
• Forest Hills
• Fresh Meadows:
• Laurelton
• Rego Park

Auburndale

• Crime rate: 7.47 crimes per 1,000 residents
• This neighborhood is located in the northeastern part of Queens and is described as upper-middle class. Housing prices here can be a bit more affordable, relatively speaking. Beyond where you hang your hat, you’ll be excited to know that there’s plenty to enjoy nearby. You’ll have a wide variety of shopping, cafes, and restaurants in the area. If you’re moving with little ones, you might spend afternoons at the nearby Francis Lewis Playground. In addition to the playground equipment, there’s also basketball and handball courts as well as fitness equipment. You’ll also be happy to know you won’t be too far from enjoying some of Long Island’s beautiful beaches. If you want to make a jaunt to other parts of the city for work or play, the neighborhood is actually split by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), that’ll take you to plenty of spots in Queens and into Manhattan.

Forest Hills

• Crime rate: 6.1 crimes per 1,000 residents
• This quaint, mostly residential area of Queens is lined with rows of tulip trees paired with Tudor-style houses. For those curious about previous inhabitants, this was once the home of the Ramones and Simon & Garfunkel! The neighborhood’s major thoroughfare is Queens Blvd, though Austin Street has many charming cafes, restaurants, and shops. One of the biggest draws to the area is Forest Hills Stadium, a live performance venue with big acts regularly coming through for shows. If after a concert you’re hoping to find a place to keep a lively pace, you might check out the Station House or The Billiard Company for a tasty libation. Getting out into the city and back again can be done with ease on the E, M, F, and R trains, buses and the LIRR as well.

Fresh Meadows

• Crime rate: 7.5 crimes per 1,000 residents
• This neighborhood in Queens is also located in the northeastern part of the borough. It’s diverse, with a mix of having a suburban and urban feel. It’s also largely a residential neighborhood, where almost 30% of the residents are families with children. If you find yourself moving to this area with little ones, you’ll be happy to know there’s plenty of greenspace to enjoy together. Residents also describe the area as pretty walkable and dog-friendly. Fresh Meadows Park at 188th street is a great spot to sit and take a breather in the shade. The neighborhood also bumps up against Cunningham Park, which has picnic areas, a bike trail, and a dog run. For a strictly playground day, you can check out the charmingly named Holy Cow Playground on Peck Ave, named after famed Yankees shortstop and radio/TV broadcaster Phil “Holy Cow” Rizzuto. After a busy day outdoors, you may find the locals recommending dinner at Fillmore’s Tavern not too far away on 65th Avenue.

Laurelton

• Crime rate: 7.7 crimes per 1,000 residents
• This neighborhood was modeled after an English village and also features Tudor-style housing with mostly single and two-family homes. While there’s some newly constructed housing, there aren’t highrises. This lends itself to the small town feel of the neighborhood. Further supporting the vibe of the area, it’s diverse, but an active middle-class neighborhood. Laurelton, like many others in Queens, boasts more reasonable housing prices in comparison to its other NYC neighborhoods. Places like Laurelton Playground on Brookville Blvd (with its skate park, handball courts, and of course, a playground) and nearby Springfield Park (with BBQ areas, baseball fields, and dog-friendly spaces) make it easy to enjoy the outdoors right where you are. If you’re trekking out in the direction of Manhattan though, area buses and LIRR, with stops taking you to Midtown and Penn Station, can help you get where you’re going.

Rego Park

• Crime rate: 6.1 crimes per 1,000 residents
• Curious about the origin of this neighborhood’s name? It’s namesake came from the Real Good Construction company that bought up the land (previously farms) and developed it in the 1920s. Just next door to Forest Hills (they share the 112th police precinct and the predilection for Tudor-style homes), Queens Blvd is also the major thoroughfare through this part of the borough. Along that stretch, you’ll find a variety of shops, cafes, gyms, nightclubs, restaurants, and the like to meet your needs. Speaking of shopping, you can also get your fix of big box stores at the Rego Center. Beyond retail establishments, there’s a good amount of greenspace and residents report that the neighborhood is pretty walkable. Juniper Valley Park (in neighboring Middle Valley), Real Good Playground, and Lost Battalion Hall (the area’s recreation center) are just nearby to scratch that recreation itch. If you do need to venture out of the neighborhood, you won’t have to go too far to find public transportation. The R and M trains are nearby and transfers to the E and F aren’t too complicated to get around Queens and into Manhattan. You can get to Grand Central in about 30 minutes. Express buses are also an option.

Wherever you decide to hang your crown in Queens, Piece of Cake Moving and Storage can make your move a breeze. As NYC moving experts, we regularly move New Yorkers (and soon-to-be NYers) to any and all parts of the borough. You can rest easy that your move will be smooth and stress-free with our 5-star services, from moving supplies to our Platinum Packing Experience. When you work with our professionals for your next move, you can count on getting the royal relocation treatment.