Once an industrial expanse of warehouses and taxi depots, Long Island City has seen remarkable change in the past two decades. Its waterfront is now lined with upscale, glassy new developments aimed at young professionals who seek luxury amenities and convenient access to Midtown. In 2018, Amazon chose this neighborhood as the site for one of its two new East Coast hubs, which means some industrial buildings and pothole-pocked streets will almost certainly give way to a gleaming new tech campus. New parks, restaurants, bars, and other amenities were already transforming this somewhat gritty area into a comfortable and scenic place to live and work — and with 25,000 new, high-paying jobs on the way, much more change is on the horizon.
The Mood
Though it's close to Manhattan, Long Island City has a feel all its own, of a new neighborhood sprung up out of an aging industrial area. With each new restaurant or bar, the vibrancy of its streets grows.
Heart of the Neighborhood
Long Island City has a robust art scene, with galleries and even some TV and movie studios, but MoMA's contemporary-focused PS1 museum is the artistic center of this community.
Neighborhood Quirk
Long Island City was once home to many bakeries and factories, including a Pepsi bottling plant whose iconic sign can be seen from Gantry Plaza State Park.
Best Perk
The views from Gantry Plaza State Park are truly unparalleled. Residents relish its acres of manicured green space and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.
Biggest Downside
As an industrial area converting into a residential one, Long Island City can still feel somewhat gritty. Many of its streets lack trees, and lifestyle amenities such as parks and grocery stores tend to be newer rather than well-established.
