Nestled on the western shoreline of Little Neck Bay, Bayside in Queens at first glance seems like a different world. Slower-paced, suburban, its streets lined with single-family homes and locally owned shops. But deep within, Bayside remains quintessentially New York City. It presents just another side to this city of a thousand faces.
Here is what you need to know about moving to Bayside, Queens, NY.
The neighborhood is composed of smaller enclaves
Bayside is a beautiful patchwork quilt of enclaves which can be considered neighborhoods in their own right. However, residents will always say they are Baysiders first before anything else.
These enclaves include prominent Bay Terrace in the northern section of the neighborhood; it fronts Little Neck Bay and East River. Oakland Gardens is another one of these enclaves, commonly referred to by locals as South Bayside.
Bayside Hills, Bellcourt, Weeks Woodlands, and Tall Oaks are some other notable enclaves within the neighborhood.
Single-family homes dominate the real estate market
Bayside is a haven for homebuyers who want to search for their dream home among an impressive selection of single-family properties.
One can find just about anything, from discrete and detached homes and romantic Tudor-style and Colonial residences that evoke the grandeur of a bygone era, to elegant Cape Cod and ranch homes, two styles that have become a part of the American architectural landscape.
Single-family homes are not the only residential real estate on offer in Bayside, Queens, NY however. A small but no less significant portion of the local housing market comprises co-ops, condominiums, and garden apartments—all ubiquitous in New York City real estate as a whole.
Bayside has an interesting history
The Bayside, Queens, NY of today is an affluent and highly sought-after community to live in. People do not simply move here because of trends—they do because they want to. A testament to this is the relatively high home ownership rates in the neighborhood. But once upon a time, Bayside almost became something far grander.
Bayside was on the same trajectory as other North Shore communities in the early 1900s, a choice address for New York City’s elite. Legendary movie stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson also moved here to be closer to the movie studios in Astoria. Eventually, Bayside’s acting community grew and rumors of a new studio in the neighborhood began circulating. However, this never happened.
One of Bayside’s best features in the early 20th century was its easy access to the water. But in the 1930s, the connection between the neighborhood and East River was severed by the construction of the Cross Island Parkway, which traveled its way down Bayside’s entire shoreline.
Some historians posit that this led to the impeded development of Bayside. While its neighbors, including Sands Point and Little Neck, went on to become communities of grand, palatial estates (East Egg, that iconic mansion from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, was said to be inspired by one of these mansions), such growth never fully materialized in Bayside, Queens, NY.
Instead of becoming a symbol of the excesses of the early 20th century, Bayside became a quieter, upper-middle-class suburb with a tight-knit community.
It is easy to get to Manhattan
Although Bayside, Queens, NY feels like worlds away from the hustle and bustle of big-city life, the neighborhood is not entirely removed from everything that has made New York City a coveted place to live.
From Bayside, residents can access three different highways: Long Island Expressway (1-495), Clearview Expressway (I-295), and the aforementioned Cross Island Parkway. Cross Island Parkway then links with Throgs Neck Bridge and Whitestone Bridge, connecting Long Island to the southern section of The Bronx. Taking the I-495, meanwhile, will take you west, where there are three connections to Manhattan: Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, and Brooklyn Bridge.
For public transportation, Bayside Station connects the neighborhood to Manhattan—the travel time takes approximately 25 minutes. Several bus lines also serve the area.
Bayside’s schools are unparalleled
For homebuyers who are looking to raise their own families in the future, Bayside presents an excellent selection of public schools. The local school districts, NYCDOE 26 and 207, rank among the best in New York City.
Notable public schools in the neighborhood include P.S. 188 Kingsbury (#17 among New York City public elementary schools according to the U.S. News & World Report) and P.S. 203 The Oakland Gardens School, which holds the 15th spot in the same ranking report.
Let Angel Recalde help you with your move to Bayside, Queens
Angel Recalde, New York City’s luxury real estate guy, can help you discover stellar real estate opportunities in the affluent neighborhood of Bayside in Queens. Tap into his intimate knowledge of the local real estate market to find your dream home in this wonderful waterfront community.
Connect with Angel Recalde today at 917.239.9987 or angelrecalde1(at)gmail(dotted)com for a private consultation.