Living close to sandy shores and waterways
In the southern half of Queens, Howard Beach has immediate access to JFK International Airport, Rockaway Beach and local restaurants. The area has a coastal and suburban atmosphere, as the homes built in the 1960s and 1970s are less than 15 minutes from sandy relaxation. Buses, a subway station and a nearby highway make it easy to commute further into Queens or Manhattan. Restaurants along Cross Bay Boulevard, the main route to the beach, have views of boats on the Shellbank Basin. Howard Beach gives residents relaxation in the south, work in the north and comfort at home.
Green spaces and water activities
Spring Creek Park is a 55-acre wildlife habitat with miles of hiking paths, all a part of the larger Gateway National Recreation Center. Visitors bike and walk along the slightly overgrown trails toward the narrow shoreline. The serene area is also a popular spot to watch for birds or fish in Jamaica Bay. The Walter Ward Playground neighbors P.S. 207 - Rockwood Park and features blue and orange equipment, a splash pad and hopscotch areas so kids don’t have to draw their own. The Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park is another major attraction hosting winter thoroughbred horse racing. Driving down to Rockaway Beach means passing by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and over the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge to reach the sandy shores and boardwalk.
Split-levels and contemporary homes
Split-levels, Cape Cods and raised ranches make up most of Howard Beach. “The plots are larger here than in nearby neighborhoods,” says Vishal Maraj, a broker/owner with Re/Max who has over 20 years of expertise in the area. “A lot of older homes are torn down to make way for new ones that maximize space.” The newer homes have contemporary designs with white columns, large windows and paver driveways. Five-bedroom homes land in the $900,000 to $1.5 million range, while smaller options can sell for $700,000 to $900,000. Yard space may be limited, but living less than 15 minutes from the beach makes up for it. Paved sidewalks line the streets and run in front of the homes and wide driveways. Just a few feet above sea level, Howard Beach was severely affected by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and will be prone to increased flooding in the future. The Federal Emergency Management Agency considers this area a high risk for flooding.
Dining along Cross Bay Boulevard
All the restaurant options line Cross Bay Boulevard. One of the most famous establishments is New Park Pizza, revered for its salt-bottom pizza crusts. Lenny's Clam Bar has been serving Italian and seafood dishes for over 50 years, and customers can see boats floating on the water while they dine. The Vetro Restaurant and Lounge hosts fun events and specials, like Sunday brunch parties with live DJs and weekend lounge nights. Key Foods Supermarket and Stop & Shop provide locals with their grocery needs.
Planes, trains and highways
The Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station connects to the A train line and takes commuters to Penn Station in less than an hour. “We’re one train line away from Manhattan,” says John Dibs, a Realtor with Keller Williams Liberty and a longtime resident. The Belt Parkway lines the neighborhood’s northern border, and Cross Bay Boulevard creates the eastern border. John F. Kennedy International Airport is 4 miles east, meaning locals hear planes overhead throughout the day. MTA bus stops line 157th Avenue, 84th Street, 160th Avenue, 164th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard. Some buses head south to Rockaway Beach and north up to the Jamaica neighborhood.
Public and private school options
P.S. 207 - Rockwood Park serves prekindergarten through eighth-grade classes and gets a B-plus from Niche. The next step can be the B-rated John Adams High School, where students can join small learning communities focused on specific areas of study, such as pre-med and law. Some may head south to the A-rated Scholars' Academy. The nearby St. Helen’s Church operates the private St. Helen Catholic Academy as an alternative option for pre-K through eighth grade.
Kiwanis Club Halloween celebrations
The Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach has been organizing community events since 1962. High school marching bands, fire departments, police departments and costumed children join the Halloween Parade every October. Watching and joining in the parade is an over 30-year tradition. The Kiwanis Club also offers scholarships with money earned through donations collected at annual events like the Dinner Dance and Doo Wop Night. The CAP Index gives the neighborhood a 2 out of 10. The national average is 4.
