Housing is probably the biggest expense in Astoria, especially if you want to be in a decent neighborhood near subways. A 2-bedroom can easily run $2,500+ in many parts of the area. Groceries are a mixed bag – you can find deals at ethnic markets, but prices at mainstream supermarkets tend to be high. Dining out is pricey if you want quality food, probably $75+ for a casual meal for 4 with a drink or two. Public transit is reasonable with a MetroCard. Overall, I’d say costs are high for a family, but the convenience and amenities make it worthwhile if you can afford it.

I agree that housing is very expensive, even for a basic 1-bedroom which can cost $1,800-$2,000 in many buildings. But there are tradeoffs – many places include amenities like gyms, outdoor space, etc. Utilities tend to be affordable split between roommates. Restaurants and bars add up quickly if you go out a lot, but there are plenty of affordable ethnic places too. Getting around by subway isn’t too pricey with an unlimited MetroCard. Overall I find it manageable as a single person, but affording a family lifestyle would be very difficult without a solid dual income.

As a retiree on a fixed income, I’ve found Astoria to be relatively affordable compared to ritzier parts of NYC. My rent-controlled 1-bedroom is only $900. Groceries are reasonable if you shop wisely at places like Trade Fair and avoid high-end markets. Transit is cheap with senior discounts. Entertainment can be inexpensive with free events, civic centers, libraries, etc. Utilities are manageable. My biggest expenses are healthcare costs and the occasional splurge meal. Overall it’s a great value if you’re smart about expenses.

From my perspective as a serious foodie, the dining scene in Astoria is incredible for the prices. You can get high-quality ethnic food for a fraction of Manhattan costs. $15 might get you a huge Greek/Egyptian/Brazilian meal that would be $30+ elsewhere. There are also plenty of affordable casual and upscale American spots. Groceries can be pricey at chains, but deals are easy to find. But overall it’s a food lover’s paradise without the crazy costs of trendier neighborhoods.

One major expense in Astoria is transportation if you drive. Street parking is a nightmare, so you’ll likely need a garage which can run $200-$300/month. Gas, insurance, and maintenance add up as well. Using the subways/buses is way cheaper but less convenient, especially for groceries or travel outside the city. Still, being close to the BQE and bridges is a perk for drivers willing to pay the costs. Overall it evens out if you can make the transit vs driving tradeoffs work.

As a single professional, I find Astoria very affordable for NYC standards. My rent for a nice modern 1-bedroom is around $1,800 which is a steal compared to areas like LIC or Williamsburg. Nightlife is affordable with low-key bars and decent Happy Hours. Groceries are manageable if you shop smart, and you’re never too far from affordable ethnic dining. Utilities are in-line with the rest of the city. My biggest costs are extras like ClassPass, restaurants, etc. But overall it’s very livable on a decent salary without roommates.

With 2 kids and a stay-at-home spouse, Astoria is manageable but definitely on the pricey side for our situation. Our 3-bedroom runs $2,800, which is a lot but cheap compared to other family-friendly areas of Queens we looked at. Childcare costs are very high unless you go with public options. But we save a lot by taking advantage of reasonably priced kid activities, ethnic grocers, food courts, etc. Having outdoor space and amenities in our building offsets some costs too. It’s tight on one income, but still more affordable than many other neighborhoods.

Just moved to Astoria last year as an entry-level hire and have been pretty pleased with the overall costs so far. I have a roommate and we split a decent 2-bedroom for about $1,000 each. We buy groceries at affordable chains like Food Bazaar and Trader Joe’s. Transportation is easy with the subway and I don’t have a car. Going out is cheaper than trendier parts of the city too. The biggest downsides are utility costs, which seem high for our apartment size, and how quickly smaller costs like Ubers, dinners out, etc. can add up. But it’s very livable overall on an early career income.

As a single mom working two jobs, I’ve found Astoria to be very affordable overall compared to other safe parts of NYC if you’re smart with expenses. My rent for a 1-bedroom is under $1,300 due to a good management company. I pack lunches, shop ethnic markets, take public transit, and use a lot of free/low-cost activities around Astoria for entertainment. The quality of life per dollar is hard to beat. The only major costs are childcare and periodic maintenance/repair issues with older buildings. But Astoria gives a great NYC experience at fairly low relative costs.

Born and raised in Astoria – it definitely ain’t the cheapest area anymoh but it ain’t broke the bank for a real New Yawkah like me. Da biggest expenses is still da damn rent and da little things from breakfast at da diner to beers at da local bar. But da payoff is I’m close to da family, can get around on da train easy, and don’t gotta go to Manhandtan for a decent meal anymore. Da real killa is da parkin’ if ya got wheels. All in all it’s not too sha’aapy considerin’ da convenience and amenities. Just gotta stay humble and scrounge for savin’s where ya can, ya dig?