Those who live in Woodside tend to say one thing about their neighborhood, “I love living in Woodside.” Whether they’re boasting about the sense of community or surprisingly calm atmosphere on the edge of Manhattan, everyone seems to agree that they enjoy living in this quaint Queens neighborhood.
History
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For nearly two centuries after the arrival of settlers from England and the Netherlands, Woodside was very sparsely populated. In the 18th century, the land was finally settled by farmers that learned how to cope with the wet land and make it profitable.
By the mid 18th century, the farmers had drained most of Woodside’s marshes, expanding the farmable land. Farmer success continued throughout the 19th century as produce from the area filled markets all over New York City.
It wasn’t until the 1850s that modern Woodside started taking shape. It was first developed on a large scale in 1867 by residential neighborhood builders Benjamin W. Hitchcock and John Andrew Kelly. Woodside is known today as “Irishtown,” as the population in the early 1990s was almost 60 percent Irish. Today, it’s more of a melting pot, but that’s what makes it such a unique community.
Accessibility
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In terms of regular subways, the 7 train can bring you to several stations in Woodside; 52nd Street, 61st Street, and 69th Street. To get to midtown from Woodside, you can expect an approximately 30-minute commute. Woodside is also on the Long Island Rail Road’s Main Line. It’s just one stop on an eastward train out of Penn Station on the LIRR.
Lifestyle
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Every neighborhood in New York City has a different vibe. When it comes to Woodside, it’s known as an “in-between” neighborhood, meaning it’s too often overshadowed by neighboring areas such as Sunnyside and Jackson Heights.
Woodside has an easygoing, laid-back vibe, drawing those trying to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city. The area has a true neighborhood atmosphere, with a lot of old-school businesses that have been around for many generations. While the streets aren’t too fancy, Woodside has just enough retail infrastructure to make living there extremely convenient.
Restaurants
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The most popular places in town are some of the packed Irish bars that date back to the area’s roots. If you’re looking to join in on this historical side of Woodside, check out Saints & Sinners, the go-to Irish pub on Woodside Avenue.
Another favorite in the Woodside area is a Thai restaurant, SriPraPhai, on 39th Avenue near the number 7 subway stop at 61st Street. It has an extensive 20-page, picture menu and a large outdoor space, drawing crowds every night of the week.
Costs
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In Woodside, you can find just about anything. There’s blocks with detached single-family homes as well as towering co-ops.
It’s difficult to find anywhere this close to Manhattan where you can score a $850 basement studio, or a 700-square-foot 1-bedroom apartment with a beautiful backyard garden for just $1,200.
With a little more space for your money than in neighboring Sunnyside, the median sales price for a home in Woodside is $467,149. The co-op median sales price last year was $285,500.
Final Verdict
PC: Wall Street Journal
If a walk through Woodside reveals anything, it’s certainly potential. It’s still waiting on the art galleries, music venues, and shops overflowing from neighborhoods nearby, but that’s exactly why Woodside is so endearing to its residents.
It hasn’t been overrun by new and modern construction yet, so get out and see Woodside while you can still get some incredible deals. This Queens neighborhood is starting to see more people moving from Manhattan for the extra space and value of a true neighborhood. Woodside could definitely be an area to watch.
