Sunnyside

Is a middle-class neighborhood in the Western portion of the New York City borough of Queens. It shares borders with Hunters Point and Long Island City to the west, Astoria to the north, Woodside to the east and Maspeth to the south.
This is a very small area, but stands out in its friendliness. You will know your neighbor, and people here are not shy to smile to you on the street once you become a recognizable face. There’s 3 area parks, one with a dog run. There is a variety of great dining and bar options. “Newer” establishments tend towards a sort of upscale hipster style, while classic ethnic eats abound. There’s a strong Irish, Colombian, Tibetan/Nepali, Ecuadorian, Turkish, and Romanian presence here. Lots of pubs, but don’t expect anything fancy in terms of nightlife. Probably not a great place for a 20-something to get their “party” down, but great affordable option for someone looking for a bit of a more relaxed, neighborhood vibe.

Schools are considered to be good, and there’s a very strong middle class family presence here; many jokingly refer to the neighborhood as “Cheap Park Slope” due to the amount of baby carriages. Lots of social options for fathers, mothers and children such as “mommy and me yoga” classes, infant play groups, day care events, and two great play spaces (Sunnyside Plays and Sabrina’s Play Space).

The North Side’s area called “Sunnyside Gardens” is a historic gem, and offers the only other private park in NYC besides Gramercy Park. It makes the townhomes in that area very desirable and hence pricier than the rest of the neighborhood.

The bustling Queens Boulevard bisects the neighborhood, with the area’s main transportation line—the 7 train—running above it. Off the avenue, you’ll find small parks and quieter residential streets, as well as Sunnyside Gardens, an enclave of homes that was one of the country’s first planned communities.

Though Sunnyside has existed under the radar for years, it’s getting attention from Manhattan and Brooklyn expats searching for affordable alternatives (it doesn’t hurt that your Midtown commute is a lot shorter than from several “hot” parts of Brooklyn).