Long Island City was once a bustling, self-contained town in and of itself: iconic signs for Pepsi-Cola beverages and Swingline bakeries harken back to a time when LIC was best known for industrial commerce and production. Many of those brands have since departed, and their legacies have been replaced with new landmarks of an up-and-coming cultural scene that has steadily developed in recent years.

 

Sleek high-rises, scenic public spaces, and East River views make Long Island City an equally modern (but much less hectic) answer to downtown Manhattan.

 

 

Long Island City continues to gentrify, but its decidedly industrial past keeps the pace feeling more welcome than rushed. Former warehouse buildings and rail yards have given way to modern public green spaces, shops, and local-loved corner parks. In general, residents are on the go, and the growing number of laptop-friendly coffee and cocktail bars, public sports fields, and Manhattan-based dining outposts are a testament to this.

 

 

Vibrant eateries along Vernon Blvd. and cultural staples like MoMA PS1 and LIC Food & Flea provide entertainment options for both indoors and out. Gantry State Park and Hunter’s Point Park South provide approximately 34 acres of green space along the East River with unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline.

The Long Island City lifestyle is all about getting "out and about" in your own backyard - taking advantage of a neighborhood that prides itself on a thriving independent business scene with a cosmopolitan edge.

Come summer nights, art and music fans flock to MoMA PS1 for events held on its outdoor patio space. Saturday dance parties feature up-and-coming and established DJs, as well as interactive art displays and installations. Meanwhile, the weekend market at the Long Island City Flea is a hub where local businesses from cocktail bars and global caterers to flower shops and furniture dealers put their samples on display. Breathtaking concrete and color-splashed displays serve as a backdrop to a cultural event mix of summertime movies, dance performances, and waterfront concerts by the Metropolitan Opera.

 

 

This once industrial neighborhood is now an array of quaint residential blocks, such as the historical landmarked 45th Ave, new high-rise buildings, and old factory conversions.

The majority of Long Island City's rentals are recently constructed buildings with modern amenities ranging from doormen to rooftop dog runs and pools. For more classic homes, look south to Hunters Point, a district bordered by 45th Avenue, 21st, and 23rd Street.

 

 

Long Island City serves as a diverse enclave convenient for those looking for the sleek aesthetic of a luxury building outside of the city as well as a quick commute. Even though LIC is fast approaching "it" neighborhood status, the area still sports a down-to-earth feel that makes it a relaxing place to return home to. That's why life in Long Island City feels both under the radar and constantly new, with endless potential to make it one's own.