A neighborhood on the western end of Queens,
New York. Renowned for its large Greek immigrant population, Astoria is also a traditional Italian stronghold. More recently, the area has become a gloriously polyglot mixture of almost every identifiable ethnic group on the planet while also providing residence for large numbers of
white middle-class twenty- and thirtysomethings from the rest of the United States. Currently favored for its relatively low rents, relatively low crime rates, European-style cafe culture, and phenomenal variety of ethnic restaurants and grocers. Shows a pleasant tendency to be immune to the
average wave of mall-culture gentrification;
Starbucks and the Gap
may be present, but not in a way that overwhelms the whole situation. On the other hand, the subway situation is marginal at best and often infuriating.
Average
person on 30th avenue:
God, what am I going to have for dinner? Pizza, Chinese, something at a cafe, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Greek, Thai, Brazilian, five pints of Guinness, something from that Latin place, a burger, vegetarian...if only the kitchen in my apartment wasn't so useless.
Resident watching hordes of Italians hanging out of cars, waving flags, screaming, laughing, dancing, screwing in the streets: I guess the World Cup final is over.
Upper West Side resident visiting Astoria-based friend: Your rent is HOW MUCH?!?!?
Resident heading back home after a show at the Mercury Lounge: Friggin' impossible
stupid N train....
Resident headed to work on a
random morning: Friggin' impossible
stupid N and W trains....
