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NYC Neighborhoods

Manhattan

Brooklyn

The Lowdown

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NYC/Queens/Long Island City

Overview

Avg. Rent
1 Bed $1,838

2 Bed $2,213

3 Bed $2,531

Long Island City (LIC)

More commonly known as LIC and not to be confused with Long Island, Long Island City is the first neighborhood in Queens east of Midtown Manhattan. Located along the East River between the southern edge of Brooklyn and Astoria, LIC is a logistical gold mine. Quietly hosting two major access points into Manhattan, the Midtown Tunnel and the Queensboro Bridge, it's no wonder that LIC flourished as a nexus of industrial commerce.

As industry began to leave Manhattan and move to the other side of the East River in the late-1800s, the waterfront neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens blossomed with commercial activity. In the 1970’s & 80’s, a large number of industrial buildings were converted into art studios, creating a thriving artists’ community. More recently, the large industrial buildings that are a signature of LIC's aesthetic are slowly being converted into residential loft condos, signaling the emergence of a new era in LIC.

In the area nearest the waterfront, known locally as Hunter's Point, one will find multiple, large scale residential development projects in progress. Right along the water's edge, the Gantry Plaza State Park features three piers jutting out into the East River, putting Midtown Manhattan almost within arm’s reach and offering coveted views of the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks. Toward the northern edge of LIC is Queensboro Plaza, a thriving commercial center and major subway junction for Queens. Highlights: PS1, Gantry State Park, Noguchi Museum