Elmhurst

Elmhurst’s architectural beauty plays out in the diversity of housing, which ranges from detached wood-frame houses to brick apartments. Unlike the homogeneous housing of some nearby neighborhoods, Elmhurst manages to maintain a residential feel while including a variety of housing types. Along the main commercial drags of Roosevelt Ave and Broadway, large apartment buildings loom above the bodegas and eateries, whereas on the smaller side streets single and multi-family houses are more common. The quiet, family centered community is primarily Jewish, Italian, and Chinese, which is evidenced in the commerce and places of worship. Indeed, one advantage of living in Elmhurst is instantly apparent from the heavenly aromas that waft from the slew of different restaurants and take-out joints that represent the ethnic patchwork of the neighborhood. Sidewalk food carts are also quite popular – Elmhurst has the distinct honor of hosting the only Tibetan food cart in NYC. The allure of Elmhurst is further enhanced by the many trains (7, E, R, V) that provide excellent access to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and other parts of Queens. Most of the housing in Elmhurst is at least 40 years old, but new condos are slowly making in-roads. The community is rising to the challenge of new development and voicing concerns about uncontrolled construction – even protesting the city’s plans to bulldoze the much-loved neighborhood library to make way for a new and improved building. Because of community involvement, Elmhurst may be able to retain its older feel. As it now stands, most of the real estate for sale are co-ops in older buildings, and 1-2 family homes. The median price for sales is $550K, which may reflect more condo sales than detached homes, the latter of which are frequently listed around $800K. For renters, the median price of a studio is $1050/mo and $1250/mo for a 1Br.