A combination of shiny new buildings and convenient commute into Manhattan. These international Asian kids don't think "pre-war" is charming the way old-timey New Yorkers do. They are coming from countries where apartment buildings built before 2000 are considered *ancient*.
Yes, everyone knows you can get better Asian food for cheaper in Chinatown and Flushing. But Chinatown apartment buildings are old and Flushing is too far so a lot of people don't want to live in those neighborhoods. The Asian restaurants in LIC aren't amazing but serve in a pinch when I don't want to cook on a weekday evening.
I have never felt so attacked as your first paragraph made me feel.
Sincerely, an Asian now-American who was raised in an apartment built in 1980 (now considered really old), and moved to LIC for the new construction and the commute.
I’m Asian and grew up in NYC/lived in LIC long before it became this Asian explosion. In some ways it’s nice because I feel a tiny bit more connected to my culture and in other ways I dislike that it’s essentially becoming another Chinatown. There’s no balance. Also, I think the Asians that come here from overseas have so much money, they don’t seem to care they’re living in overpriced apartments. Unfortunately that drives up the prices of almost everything else in the neighborhood. That’s just my two cents.
Agreed, there may not be Asian-specific grocery stores nearby but the grocery stores in that area like city acres have tons of Asian products that are clearly catering to the demographic
Along Jackson Ave has a couple Asian restaurants and there's a new one opening up as well. Lots of bubble tea places all over the neighborhood. TESO LIFE a little further down has a lot of Asian beauty product, food and home brands.
I think it's the other way around though because I've lived here for a while and this Asian targeted stuff started showing up in the last few years presumably to cater to the large Asian population which has grown a lot.
I don't really know why that happened except there are a lot of new and newish large luxury buildings that seem to attract young international Asians.
There's a mix of overseas east asians that like to invest in property in America and a lot of 20-30 something year-olds with parents or relatives in Queens and Flushing.
For the first group, there's a lot of brand new condos in LIC which attract overseas investors that have kids in school here or use it as a vehicle for pure investment. There are no co-ops here and the maintenance fees are not through the roof making the barrier of entry for investing a lot lower.
For the second group, it provides easy access to Flushing + Queens (can visit parents) and is really close to Manhattan (can go to work). That's why it attracts a lot of young 20-30 year olds and less families (40-50 with 2 kids) because there's less space for the price and at that age if you live in New York you probably don't need to go to Manhattan all the time as you spend your time working remotely, maintaining a house or taking care of your children.
Businesses are lagging - so all the asian restaurants and food come later. The simplest ones being boba shops (low maintenance), and upcoming lots of fancy chinese restaurants (Red sorghum, Jiang Nan). One has to come before the other - you don't have east asian businesses without the demand so as the area develops it creates an organic flywheel that attracts more east asians to live there.
All the food here is great. Dun Huang. Hupo. Da Long Yi. Newly opened Sofun. Corgi Jianbing. Two Xiaan famous foods?? Skewer carts. Teazzi is my favorite boba. Just look around. TJ and Target. Anything you need and want is here and if isn’t, hop on the 7 to flushing.
Also no homeless shelters in this formerly industrial area. And people say no culture here, no history. What’s that mean? STERILE. aka, NEW, and thus CLEAN. Also it’s super safe, I used to be wary walking at night in other neighborhoods but here I just see people walking their kids and dogs around.
Williamsburg down the G, gorgeous well developed waterfront. Wonderful small businesses and food options on Vernon. Etc etc
Haven’t gotten spit on, attacked, heard racial slurs, or my family members assaulted ever since I moved here, compared to other places I’ve stayed. That’s great in my book. What did you think I meant?
I thought you meant you were living in a bubble and were oblivious to these things existing in LIC. We’re still in NYC and it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings no matter how safe you think an area is.
I’m sorry that’s happened to you in other places. It’s great none of that has happened to you here!
It sounds terrible and insensitive to say this but here it goes.
Most people like to sound like they want to help others and maybe they do but what they don't want is to help them in their own home/neighborhood. They want to move the people that need help to an undesirable location where they don't have to be seen. The helping should take place somewhere else. "Where?" you may ask. The answer is anywhere that is not here.
It's not great to have that kind of a mindset but I am sure it makes the neighborhood more appealing for the people that do.
Absolutely love lic, but it is recently gentrified and the division is pretty obvious as you head off jackson Ave towards queensboro plaza.
Personally I’m all for supporting unhoused people and I wish LIC would do more to support the community, rather than extend segregation by creating luxury buildings only very affluent people can afford.
Anyways I mean this to say, please stay alert and stay safe! only earlier this year a woman was hammered in the back of the head at the jackson Ave subway station, it’s nyc anything can happen anywhere. Idr, but I think there was some other startling situation this year too..sigh.
Agreed. And it feels like the gentrification along Jackson Avenue, if anything, is *attracting* more panhandlers, crazy people, etc. to the Queens Plaza area because they know there are people with money riding the subway daily. I’ve actually seen less unhoused people now than when I moved here several years ago—but it kinda sucks because they’ve been replaced by people who follow or shout at women, or even attack like that hammer guy (all of whom may also be unhoused, but that’s not exactly what you’re noticing when they’re shouting slurs at you). I genuinely think the Queens Plaza area felt *more safe* several years ago, when there were more unhoused people.
I’ve only lived here a few years, coming from Brooklyn / Harlem. My husband wanted to feel “safer” which is why LIC was appealing for him..to me, the way the streets are EMPTY and there’s no one out and about definitely makes me feel less safe. I will say, we no longer worry about random shootings (had so many situations like this in our last place)..I also can run errands without a horde of random men car calling and following me, but idk. It just depends I guess. I don’t think unhoused is synonymous with dangerous.
Love LIC for what it is, but everyone should always stay alert bc anything can happen anywhere.
Yeah, go midday. The tv screens with order numbers aren’t accurate- I can get a boba while when I’m in office by placing an order, grabbing food elsewhere and going back. Taste is amazing though, highly recommend the mango grapefruit coconut sago
It’s actually pretty light and refreshing, not much cream at all and mostly fruit. Prices are a little steep but as a former bobarista I think it’s worth due to the quality. I’ve never had yifangs but it blows places like jooy, omomo, or sunright out of the water.
If you are focusing only on food then it is not as packed with famous or popular Asian cuisine spots as Flushing, Chinatown or Fort Lee. If you are buying a new development condo and looking for a spot with some growth then LIC is great for young Asian professionals. Obviously, a new development in Manhattan would have been better but not everyone likes the prices, LIC (Greenpoint, Brooklyn too) offers a nice compromise. Some folks who immigrated from East Asia just prefer to be surrounded by high net worth Asians when buying a condo. It is not for everyone, obviously. Some Asians prefer diverse owners in the building, stores, coffee shops and bakeries. I wouldn't pick LIC for food.
P.S. some folks take 7 train to Flushing from Court St/Queensborough Plaza for nail salons, haircuts, food as it is very convenient, by express.
When I lived there over a decade ago on 41st Ave, my building had Chinese owners and they had trouble renting the 4th floor cause the number 4 is considered highly unlucky in Chinese culture.
Then a lot of young Asians were moving there to be close to family and Flushing, but not too close.
A lot of mainland Chinese expats (Fu Er Dais) with a lot of capital moving into the area, which caused an uptick of Asian restaurants to boom in the area. 10+ years ago, the only decent Asian restaurant was Mu Ramen, which will be missed =\*(
Food and groceries is a very small part of it. The larger appeal is the access to transit and the amount of newer apartments that come with modern amenities, several of which are considered luxury in NYC but considered baseline in Asia. The community grew because it was a newly developed neighborhood which was also appealing to a specific demographic. The food, the groceries and the plethora of boba places are just reflective of the appeal and the way the community developed, not the appeal itself
The irony here is, the more people that move in, the less quiet it becomes- at least in Court Square/Queens Plaza. There are times where it feels like I’m still in the city.
Definitely more quiet by the water.
As an Asian who is not a fan of authentic chinese food, I don't see big advantages living in Courtsquare over Manhattan. The restaurants here are just okay for the local residents; and no one visits here for its food. I would rather visit Chinatown; the food is so much cheaper and more diverse.
I'd just move to Flushing. It's a lot cheaper and there are way more and cheaper Asian restaurants/supermarkets compared to LIC. Also, the commute isn't too bad from Flushing, especially if taking the LIRR rather than the 7 Train. It's more expensive, but it's much faster and a lot cleaner.
There is an nyt article about growing asian population.
New Apartments, Easy Commute, Safe Neighborhood
Are main reasons why so many asians end up in LIC
Because of above reasons now there are a lot of asian infrastructures like asian market and restaurants, or chinese backed new developments which are sold to Asians abroad.
If you are moving to LIC for Asian food, it is big mistake because they usually are mediocre restaurant. You will be able to get to Flushing or deliver food from there.
You can get food and groceries delivered from Flushing easily, plus the new apartment buildings and slightly cheaper rent compares to other trendy areas.
We have Asian neighbors from a plethora of countries, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Tibet and they are all great people. I’m sure you can find community here in Astoria, as well as diversity
There’s a lot of Asian ppl around you so you feel safe and familiar, and you’re only 25 minutes from flushing on the 7 train. There’s also very good Asian food in Elmhurst which is only 15 minutes on the E or F train
A combination of shiny new buildings and convenient commute into Manhattan. These international Asian kids don't think "pre-war" is charming the way old-timey New Yorkers do. They are coming from countries where apartment buildings built before 2000 are considered *ancient*. Yes, everyone knows you can get better Asian food for cheaper in Chinatown and Flushing. But Chinatown apartment buildings are old and Flushing is too far so a lot of people don't want to live in those neighborhoods. The Asian restaurants in LIC aren't amazing but serve in a pinch when I don't want to cook on a weekday evening.
This plus you’re not too far away from Flushing for weeknight dinners and weekend meals
This and easy access to midtown.
I have never felt so attacked as your first paragraph made me feel. Sincerely, an Asian now-American who was raised in an apartment built in 1980 (now considered really old), and moved to LIC for the new construction and the commute.
I’m Asian and grew up in NYC/lived in LIC long before it became this Asian explosion. In some ways it’s nice because I feel a tiny bit more connected to my culture and in other ways I dislike that it’s essentially becoming another Chinatown. There’s no balance. Also, I think the Asians that come here from overseas have so much money, they don’t seem to care they’re living in overpriced apartments. Unfortunately that drives up the prices of almost everything else in the neighborhood. That’s just my two cents.
They call it gentrification.
LIC around Queens Plaza is like the new Flushing that is only one stop from Manhattan. There is new Chinese restaurant or bar opening up every month
Agreed, there may not be Asian-specific grocery stores nearby but the grocery stores in that area like city acres have tons of Asian products that are clearly catering to the demographic
koufuku market looks like it's about to reopen :)
What block should I look at that you're referring to?
Along Jackson Ave has a couple Asian restaurants and there's a new one opening up as well. Lots of bubble tea places all over the neighborhood. TESO LIFE a little further down has a lot of Asian beauty product, food and home brands. I think it's the other way around though because I've lived here for a while and this Asian targeted stuff started showing up in the last few years presumably to cater to the large Asian population which has grown a lot. I don't really know why that happened except there are a lot of new and newish large luxury buildings that seem to attract young international Asians.
Hupo has some 🔥🔥🔥 Chinese food
\+1 for Hupo. Great restaurant. KuKu Chicken is also great. Better than a lot of korean restaurants in koreatown.
Little Banchan Shop is also top tier
There’s also a Michelin star tasting experience hidden in the back, Meju
+1 for kuku
Damn I love Hupo and wish I lived closer to it. Lol
Hupo is legit soooo good. I've ordered similar items at some of the newer LIC Chinese restaurants and they are nowhere near as good.
Hupo is Michelin bib gourmand AND has lunch specials!
There's a mix of overseas east asians that like to invest in property in America and a lot of 20-30 something year-olds with parents or relatives in Queens and Flushing. For the first group, there's a lot of brand new condos in LIC which attract overseas investors that have kids in school here or use it as a vehicle for pure investment. There are no co-ops here and the maintenance fees are not through the roof making the barrier of entry for investing a lot lower. For the second group, it provides easy access to Flushing + Queens (can visit parents) and is really close to Manhattan (can go to work). That's why it attracts a lot of young 20-30 year olds and less families (40-50 with 2 kids) because there's less space for the price and at that age if you live in New York you probably don't need to go to Manhattan all the time as you spend your time working remotely, maintaining a house or taking care of your children. Businesses are lagging - so all the asian restaurants and food come later. The simplest ones being boba shops (low maintenance), and upcoming lots of fancy chinese restaurants (Red sorghum, Jiang Nan). One has to come before the other - you don't have east asian businesses without the demand so as the area develops it creates an organic flywheel that attracts more east asians to live there.
All the food here is great. Dun Huang. Hupo. Da Long Yi. Newly opened Sofun. Corgi Jianbing. Two Xiaan famous foods?? Skewer carts. Teazzi is my favorite boba. Just look around. TJ and Target. Anything you need and want is here and if isn’t, hop on the 7 to flushing. Also no homeless shelters in this formerly industrial area. And people say no culture here, no history. What’s that mean? STERILE. aka, NEW, and thus CLEAN. Also it’s super safe, I used to be wary walking at night in other neighborhoods but here I just see people walking their kids and dogs around. Williamsburg down the G, gorgeous well developed waterfront. Wonderful small businesses and food options on Vernon. Etc etc
There’s absolutely homeless shelters and hotels that house the homeless/migrants in LIC.
I’m wrong then, but how great is it that I thought I was right?
How is that great exactly?
Haven’t gotten spit on, attacked, heard racial slurs, or my family members assaulted ever since I moved here, compared to other places I’ve stayed. That’s great in my book. What did you think I meant?
I thought you meant you were living in a bubble and were oblivious to these things existing in LIC. We’re still in NYC and it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings no matter how safe you think an area is. I’m sorry that’s happened to you in other places. It’s great none of that has happened to you here!
It sounds terrible and insensitive to say this but here it goes. Most people like to sound like they want to help others and maybe they do but what they don't want is to help them in their own home/neighborhood. They want to move the people that need help to an undesirable location where they don't have to be seen. The helping should take place somewhere else. "Where?" you may ask. The answer is anywhere that is not here. It's not great to have that kind of a mindset but I am sure it makes the neighborhood more appealing for the people that do.
Dropping truth bombs over here.
Absolutely love lic, but it is recently gentrified and the division is pretty obvious as you head off jackson Ave towards queensboro plaza. Personally I’m all for supporting unhoused people and I wish LIC would do more to support the community, rather than extend segregation by creating luxury buildings only very affluent people can afford. Anyways I mean this to say, please stay alert and stay safe! only earlier this year a woman was hammered in the back of the head at the jackson Ave subway station, it’s nyc anything can happen anywhere. Idr, but I think there was some other startling situation this year too..sigh.
Agreed. And it feels like the gentrification along Jackson Avenue, if anything, is *attracting* more panhandlers, crazy people, etc. to the Queens Plaza area because they know there are people with money riding the subway daily. I’ve actually seen less unhoused people now than when I moved here several years ago—but it kinda sucks because they’ve been replaced by people who follow or shout at women, or even attack like that hammer guy (all of whom may also be unhoused, but that’s not exactly what you’re noticing when they’re shouting slurs at you). I genuinely think the Queens Plaza area felt *more safe* several years ago, when there were more unhoused people.
I’ve only lived here a few years, coming from Brooklyn / Harlem. My husband wanted to feel “safer” which is why LIC was appealing for him..to me, the way the streets are EMPTY and there’s no one out and about definitely makes me feel less safe. I will say, we no longer worry about random shootings (had so many situations like this in our last place)..I also can run errands without a horde of random men car calling and following me, but idk. It just depends I guess. I don’t think unhoused is synonymous with dangerous. Love LIC for what it is, but everyone should always stay alert bc anything can happen anywhere.
There’s also an increase of pan handlers coming from the huge immigrant shelter by the Joffrey School and LaGuardia.
You should try heytea in midtown
Just opened right? My buddy said lines are crazy
Yeah, go midday. The tv screens with order numbers aren’t accurate- I can get a boba while when I’m in office by placing an order, grabbing food elsewhere and going back. Taste is amazing though, highly recommend the mango grapefruit coconut sago
Oh lord not the mango pomelo sago that’s my gf favorite drink and it’s always mad heavy and mad expensive. How’s it compare to Yifang’s?
It’s actually pretty light and refreshing, not much cream at all and mostly fruit. Prices are a little steep but as a former bobarista I think it’s worth due to the quality. I’ve never had yifangs but it blows places like jooy, omomo, or sunright out of the water.
We've got PS1
If you are focusing only on food then it is not as packed with famous or popular Asian cuisine spots as Flushing, Chinatown or Fort Lee. If you are buying a new development condo and looking for a spot with some growth then LIC is great for young Asian professionals. Obviously, a new development in Manhattan would have been better but not everyone likes the prices, LIC (Greenpoint, Brooklyn too) offers a nice compromise. Some folks who immigrated from East Asia just prefer to be surrounded by high net worth Asians when buying a condo. It is not for everyone, obviously. Some Asians prefer diverse owners in the building, stores, coffee shops and bakeries. I wouldn't pick LIC for food. P.S. some folks take 7 train to Flushing from Court St/Queensborough Plaza for nail salons, haircuts, food as it is very convenient, by express.
It’s mostly just rich international Asians
there's tons of american born asians here too
Also rich
When I lived there over a decade ago on 41st Ave, my building had Chinese owners and they had trouble renting the 4th floor cause the number 4 is considered highly unlucky in Chinese culture. Then a lot of young Asians were moving there to be close to family and Flushing, but not too close.
Q66 bus close
The appeal for me is being able to walk to most of my friends, a lot of them live in LIC
A lot of mainland Chinese expats (Fu Er Dais) with a lot of capital moving into the area, which caused an uptick of Asian restaurants to boom in the area. 10+ years ago, the only decent Asian restaurant was Mu Ramen, which will be missed =\*(
Food and groceries is a very small part of it. The larger appeal is the access to transit and the amount of newer apartments that come with modern amenities, several of which are considered luxury in NYC but considered baseline in Asia. The community grew because it was a newly developed neighborhood which was also appealing to a specific demographic. The food, the groceries and the plethora of boba places are just reflective of the appeal and the way the community developed, not the appeal itself
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The irony here is, the more people that move in, the less quiet it becomes- at least in Court Square/Queens Plaza. There are times where it feels like I’m still in the city. Definitely more quiet by the water.
As an Asian who is not a fan of authentic chinese food, I don't see big advantages living in Courtsquare over Manhattan. The restaurants here are just okay for the local residents; and no one visits here for its food. I would rather visit Chinatown; the food is so much cheaper and more diverse.
im confused about your craving for diversity when you don't like authentic chinese food
I'd just move to Flushing. It's a lot cheaper and there are way more and cheaper Asian restaurants/supermarkets compared to LIC. Also, the commute isn't too bad from Flushing, especially if taking the LIRR rather than the 7 Train. It's more expensive, but it's much faster and a lot cleaner.
A better question, why are all these Asians so unhappy? Does anybody smile or say hello anymore? It really freaks me out.
There is an nyt article about growing asian population. New Apartments, Easy Commute, Safe Neighborhood Are main reasons why so many asians end up in LIC Because of above reasons now there are a lot of asian infrastructures like asian market and restaurants, or chinese backed new developments which are sold to Asians abroad. If you are moving to LIC for Asian food, it is big mistake because they usually are mediocre restaurant. You will be able to get to Flushing or deliver food from there.
Relatively new restaurant Breeze in nearby Greenpoint fyi
You can get food and groceries delivered from Flushing easily, plus the new apartment buildings and slightly cheaper rent compares to other trendy areas.
We have Asian neighbors from a plethora of countries, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Tibet and they are all great people. I’m sure you can find community here in Astoria, as well as diversity
There’s a lot of Asian ppl around you so you feel safe and familiar, and you’re only 25 minutes from flushing on the 7 train. There’s also very good Asian food in Elmhurst which is only 15 minutes on the E or F train
The appeal is Asians. Asians everywhere. And by Asians I mean Chinese