Zany's New York City Apartment Guide 2001

ISBN: 9781929377121

¶¨¼Û: 33.00

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he fact that Queens is looked down upon by
Manhattanites??? mainly because the borough remains a
predominantly working class area??? is good news for
would-be bargain hunters in the housing game. This preju-
dice has meant that the surprisingly quaint neighborhood
of Astoria has yet to be dobbered by the housing boom that
has hit most of Brooldyn s boroughs. Consequently??? if you
venture out to Astoria you can still get a sizeable bang for
your buck.
Astoria has a rich history. In 1652??? William Hallett??? an
Englishman??? purchased 1???500 acres of land from the
Dutch governor??? Peter Stuyvesant. Though the region s
natives did not relish in this sale??? they were coaxed by
t
beads??? seven coats??? four kettles??? a blanket and a bit of
HaUett s smooth talking into a peace treaty with the
Englishman. By the 1830s??? this small community had
been elevated to the status of a village and named Hallett s
Cove. In 1839??? a local fur trader named Stephen A. Halsey???
who dreamt of making Hallett s Cove an affluent and
bustling sector??? proposed that this site be called Astoria in
an attempt to lure the wealthy John J. Astor into investing
in this developing community. Astor was not impressed
by Hallett s sycophantic attitude and contributed nothing
to Astoria s development; nevertheless??? the name stuck.
Bound by the East River in the North and the West???
Grand Central Parkway??? the Brooklyn-Queens
Expressway??? and LaGuardia Airport in the East??? and 35th
Avenue and Sunnyside in the South??? most of Astoria s
charm has to do with its proximity to Manhattan and its
reputation for being a safe yet sprightly neighborhood.
The area can boast two major claims to fame: first??? the
penchant of Hollywood film makers for featuring this
friendly neighborhood and second??? the fact that Astoria???
often referred to as \"Little Athens; houses the largest con-
duster of low-rise tenements and
brick row houses. Dark-suited
older men retire to the benches lin-
ing the sidewalks??? and mingle ant
socialize with their acquaintances.
Greek pastry shops and cafes
around 31st street and Ditmars
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Boulevard beckon any passerby --
with goodies??? pastries and some strong
Greek coffee. Although you do not have to be
Greek (or Italian) to fit in here??? it doesn t hurt since thel
are quite a few exclusive social clubs and many of th
shops are lined with alphabets foreign to the America
reader.
Astoria may be proud of its roots and cultural he1
itage??? but it is by no means unwelcoming or xenophobi~
The people are always ready to lend a helping hand??? an
once settled??? one cannot help but love the community fe~
of Queen s little treasure.
\"Lots of profe??????
sionals??? amenities everywhere???\" but \"not entirel
clean--it ain t the upper Westside??? here??? but it
not awful.\" \"Starbucks is coming??? a sure sign th~
the neighborhood is being ruined.\" Also??? the \"1
(Never) and R (Rarely) trains are a big reaso