Broadway, Astoria

The fact that it shares the same name as Manhattan's Broadway invites comparison, but there are few similarities. You know what you're getting with a street in Astoria, and it certainly isn't flashing signs, dinner theater, and girls kicking up their legs in a choreographed line. Broadway in Astoria is made up of mostly two-and-three story buildings, a mix of residential and commercial. It is a vein of sorts for Queens, since it's a long street that provides a commercial focus for residents from the even quieter residential side streets. But it has the feel of a main street in a small town, rather than a central line in a major metropolis. Distinctive here is the relatively low rate of mega-chains, and the high rate of mom-and-pop establishments. You get the impression every nail salon, every martial arts school, every diner and bakery, has an owner who lives right around the corner. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the residents is really impressive. Unlike neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn, where various immigrants settled in uniform clumps—Chinatown, or the Polish Greenpoint in Broolyn, or the Lower East Side's Jewish settlement—Astoria is a truly diverse place, with a mix of cultural backgrounds on every street.

33rd street truly is the heart of Astoria's Greek district. With the various night clubs and bars that routinely feature "Greek Music" weekends, one can't walk very far without hearing the joyful sounds of happy, drunk Greeks. It is a fun neighborhood to hang out in, although not recommended for spending time their alone at night. A great feature on this street is PLATOS, with its tell-tale white columns on the outside and a night of mayhem and fun on the inside. 33rd street i close to the NWQ like, which is useful since two of those run express. Living here is probably a bit far if you work downtown, but you can't really beat the atmosphere. The neighborhood is fairly quiet during the day, as most of the party goers are sleeping off their nights.

Similar to the nearby street in this section of the Brooklyn borough, 33rd Street doesn’t have much to offer in the way of food or fun. There are a few small businesses but nothing worth visiting. This mainly residential street is really geared toward people familiar with the neighborhood, and familiar they were. I gathered a real sense of neighborhood in this section of Brooklyn, and a real sense of family. Another perk of living in Brooklyn is that apartments and rents are cheaper, so you might consider this area and the Brooklyn borough for a move to the city.