Neighborhood Overview

Astoria is a diverse residential neighborhood in northwest Queens known for its Greek heritage, growing cultural scene, and relative affordability compared to Manhattan and Brooklyn. The neighborhood features a mix of housing types, from prewar apartment buildings along the avenues to single-family homes on the side streets.

Common Property Types

Prewar walk-up apartments, two-family attached rowhouses, detached single-family homes, newer mid-rise condos, and some converted industrial buildings near the waterfront.

Typical Building Ages

Walk-ups and row houses from the 1910s-1930s form the core stock. Single-family homes from the 1920s-1950s. New mid-rise construction from the 2010s-2020s, particularly near the waterfront and along transit corridors.

Common Violations

HPD housing code violations in older walk-ups, illegal conversions (particularly basement apartments), construction without permits, facade maintenance, and fire safety violations.

Property Tax Information

Relatively affordable. Tax Class 1 homes with capped assessments. Walk-up apartments in Tax Class 2 with moderate assessments. Overall effective tax rates range from 0.8% to 1.5% of market value.

Zoning Information

Primarily R5, R5B, R6, and R6B residential with C1 and C2 commercial overlays on Broadway, Steinway Street, 30th Avenue, and Ditmars Boulevard. Astoria waterfront (Hallets Point) has been rezoned for higher-density development.

Notable Developments

Hallets Point development on the waterfront will add thousands of new units. The Innovation QNS proposal near Steinway Street is another major planned development.