Sunnyside of Sunnyside Queens.

As some of you know, but refuse to accept, I took the forbidden cross from Brooklyn to Queens. Yes and I say that with confidence. I love Queens. I currently live in Sunnyside just east of Long Island City and only a few short stops to Grand Central Station and an even shorter distance from my first love... the G Train at 45th St. Court Square.

There are a few huge differences from where I have lived in Brooklyn (clinton hill, bedstuy, williamsburg) and where I currently live (sunnyside). First the volume level has gone down quite a bit, and considering I live less then 200 feet from the elevated 7 train, that is saying a lot. 

Pros of Sunnyside:

-Clean

-Quiet

-Starbucks, Wendy's, McDonalds, White Castle and a movie theatre (walking distance)

-Cheaper to live

-Bigger and more efficient living spaces

-Nice People?

-Laundry machines accept quarters!

Cons

-Age demographic (little old)

-Crowded Train to midtown

-Language barriers

-Most things close by 10

The main difference I feel in Queens is the safety. My second year in brooklyn, I was held at gunpoint in bedstuy, as I often bring up in conversation. So my main goal when searching for a place was location according to safety. I lived in Williamsburg for the summer months and really loved the location, right off the G and L at metropolitan/Lorimer. Unfortunately the price of living is too high for what is provided. My good friend Aimee has a great 1 bedroom railroad off the Grand L stop, which is great and for a reasonable price. 

The mornings at Sunnyside are one of the best, it's like getting a preview of the entire day or looking into the next few hours as the best view is manhattan (not shown in this image) This image is not of sunnyside, but it is of woodside only 3 stops away, where the 7 express stops, often a place I encounter as my stop is not an express stop. Sunnyside/Woodside in my opinion really have a huge historical feel, the cultures are still very in tact with the way they dress, families, sundays at church. It's almost like taking a small trip to the past.

This sign which is at view from my bedroom window is a given clue you have made it to sunnyside. Unfortunately it no longer lights up, I would be interested in finding some information on how long it has been around and when it stopped operation. 

I live south of Queens Blvd which is a completely different area in appearance. It starts to become much more suburban, it is honestly worth getting up an hour earlier just to grab a coffee and stroll the neighborhood. Which come to think of it might be a good idea tomorrow. Another reason to post photos.

The night normally comes to a close here...

In my living room where I spend most of my time as it is the only room, besides my roommates, that has furniture. It works, it matches it's not cluttered, there is always something playing on the television to make up for the lack of cable.

The nights in sunnyside are ok at best, i think knowing the distance from friends in williamsburg, clinton hill, park slope etc make it that way. When only 2 years ago everyone we knew was only a few doors away.