Queens Rental for Middle Aged ex-Brooklynite w Pets (apartment, rentals)

[cello700]

Hey folks:

I'm looking for a diverse Queens neighborhood with quick access to Manhattan.

I lived in Brooklyn years ago, but no more.

I want subway access (w/i 4 blocks- N/E/W??) and access to basic food shopping. I have 2 cats so I'd need an animal friendly building.

I'm looking for safe, not fancy, and fairly quiet but hey, it's the City, right?

The following neighborhoods look right:

Astoria (1st choice)
Woodside
Rego Park
Elmhirst
Jackson Heights


Is a one BD in Astoria the same in size as one in Woodside?

Can anyone offer thoughts on total square footage or individual square footage such as living room and a bedroom.

For Astoria I see a low end of about $1100 - $1400 for something reasonable and near subway. Is that accurate? Some include water, etc others don't.

Are these 1 BDs shoeboxes? Would I need a 2 BD just to breathe?

In addition, do you deal with a realtor for rentals or just deal with the ads?

If the answer to the last question is 'yes' any individual recommendations would be sweet.

Too many questions I know.

But I come in peace and ask for your help.

Thanks folks.

Steve

(ex-Brooklynite but always from Canarsie)

PS Please don't tell me any place in Brooklyn. The Heights would bankrupt me (again) and in Williamsburg I'd never get a good night's sleep (but I would certainly spend lots of evenings there (<: )

[grimace8]

Originally Posted by cello700

For Astoria I see a low end of about $1100 - $1400 for something reasonable and near subway. Is that accurate? Some include water, etc others don't.

Are these 1 BDs shoeboxes?

Steve they could be shoe boxes or maybe they're far from the subway. Maybe the apartment layout is maddening or the building is old. As for the water thing you referred to, that's not clear to me. Water should be available at all times IMO

[Chava61]

In Rego Park you can get an apt. with large rooms in buildings close to Queens Blvd. with access to R/V subway lines. If it is a large building usually water (cold & hot) and heating is included in the rentl. There are plenty supermarkets and small grocery stores in the area. Also in the new Rego Park Center II shopping mall you can find an ALDI food market as well as Costco.

[cello700]

When I mentioned "water" I meant whether or not it was included in the rent (vs getting a water bill) not whether it was physically available at all. Sorry I wasn't clear.

[grimace8]

Originally Posted by cello700

When I mentioned "water" I meant whether or not it was included in the rent (vs getting a water bill) not whether it was physically available at all. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I hope you get something good. In 2005 I paid that much (low end) for the eastern edge of Briarwood in Queens. What I got: 1BR (large), full bath, EIK kitchen, living room (not large), private yard (large - it made 2 cats happy), private entrance, cable (separate), huge good supermarket, major bank, empanada shop, Greek diner, Chinese takeout, dollar store, gift card/trinkets shop, Dunkin Donuts, veterinarian, chatty neighbors (One story goes: A big lottery winner yelled "I won! I won!" with his arms thrashing in the air outside the gift card shop) I liked Briarwood alot because I considered it gentle/sweet and the cats liked the sunny yard, but life took me in another direction. Briarwood has its own Wikipedia page.