Middle Village, Queens, NY
About Middle Village, Queens
Middle Village is a quaint, residential neighborhood in Central Queens. The district is in a trapezoidal region bounded by the Long Island Expressway to the North, Cooper Avenue to the South, Woodhaven Boulevard to the East, and Mount Olivet Cemetery to the West. Middle Village is bordered by Elmhurst to the north, Maspeth and Ridgewood to the West, Glendale to the south and Rego Park to the east.
Middle Village is a quiet, suburban neighborhood with a relaxed pace of life. It’s an area for those who want peace and quiet with a reasonable commute into Manhattan. You won’t find the hustle and bustle, or high-end shops and restaurants found in other NYC neighborhoods. But you will find modest, affordable housing in a centrally located area.
History of Middle Village, Queens
Middle Village was first settled by English descendants in 1816 and was named for being the midway point between Williamsburg and Jamaica, Queens. Following the Civil War, the neighborhood became predominantly German. The St. John Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Western part of the area was laid in 1879, which spurred the development of the area. The Juniper Swamp – a marshland that compromised a large portion of what is now Middle Village – was filled in 1915, which led to further development. A large portion of the neighborhood was purchased and developed by organized crime figure Arnold Rothstein in 1920, which was followed by similar purchases by other investors in the proceeding decades.
Demographics of Middle Village, Queens
There are approximately 30,000 people who live in Middle Village. The neighborhood is primarily white, with 65% of residents identifying as such. However, there is a considerable Hispanic population as well, with 25% of residents identifying as such. It’s primarily a neighborhood of middle-aged adults and families. Twenty percent of residents are under 18 and 29% are between the age of 45 and 64. It’s an upper middle-class neighborhood and the median household income is around $86,000 per year.
Transportation in Middle Village, Queens
Transportation options in Middle Village are fairly limited. The M train of the NYC subway at the Metropolitan Ave station. Several city buses such as the Q29, Q38, Q47 and Q54 make stops in Middle Village. Plus, many residents have cars and the Long Island Expressway is accessible to drivers.
Housing in Middle Village, Queens
The housing in Middle Village is primarily detached single family homes. There are a few modern condo buildings here and there but it’s primarily one- or two-story brick houses. Homes tend to be spacious and feature amenities like stainless steel appliances and garages. The style of building ranges from brick carriage houses to Tudor style homes. Those looking for large, Art-Deco apartment complexes will likely be disappointed. But those looking for a comfortable unit with attractive features will love Middle Village.
Neighborhood Life in Middle Village
Middle Village is a serene neighborhood with a suburban ambiance. Those looking for trendy boutiques and a plethora of entertainment options are better off heading to Brooklyn or Astoria. Middle Village is a neighborhood for those who want peace and quiet. Residents are known to frequent Juniper Valley Park, a 55-acre park that features basketball courts, a bocce court and a playground. They are also known to congregate at local community centers and watering holes like Pat’s Sports Bar on Metropolitan Ave. Ultimately, Middle Village is not an entertainment hub, but it’s central location makes getting to any other neighborhood in the city quite manageable.
Similar Neighborhoods to Middle Village, Queens
Real Estate Trends in Middle Village, Queens
Middle Village is a great neighborhood for those looking to purchase a home. Property values are low for New York City, but relatively high for Central Queens. However, you get a lot of value for your money. The median value of a home in Middle Village is around $760,000. Property values have increased steadily by about 28.5% over the past five years. It’s close enough to Manhattan that it’s an in-demand neighborhood, but far enough away that new developments won’t unexpectedly drive up the price. Therefore, it’s great for families who want a home close to the city that has enough space to live comfortably.
The Truth About Middle Village
Is Middle Village, Queens Safe?
Middle Village is very safe. The area is patrolled by the 104th Precinct of the NYPD, who has reported a significant drop off in crime since the 1990’s. In the 70’s and 80’s, when crime in the city was at all time highs, Middle Village was an area protected by organized crime syndicates. Therefore, Middle Village has always been quite safe, even in New York’s grittier days. Today that element has disappeared completely, and Middle Village is a quiet, suburban enclave.
How Are the Schools in Middle Village?
The schools in Middle Village are good, albeit limited. PS 49 Dorothy Bonawit Kole, PS 128 Lorraine Tuzzo Juniper Valley Elementary and PS 87 Middle Village are all highly rated K-8 schools. There are no high schools in Middle Village, but local students may apply for any public high school in New York City. Also, Our Lady of Hope Elementary School, St. Margaret School and Resurrection Ascension School offer PK-8.
Popular Eateries in Middle Village
Things to Do in Middle Village, Queens
Hang out at Juniper Valley Park, a 55-acre green space with handball courts, basketball courts and a playground
Check out Laser Bounce, an arcade and amusement center in between Glendale and Middle Village
Go shopping at the Shops at Atlas Park, the mall features a shopping center, food court and a movie theatre
Take a dance class at That’s Dancin’, a studio on Metropolitan Ave
Is Middle Village Dog Friendly?
Yes, Middle Village is fairly dog friendly. The spacious single-family homes are great for canine companions. Juniper Park is a great place to bring pups on a brisk fall day. Plus, the streets are quiet and good for morning walks. Renters will have to seek approval from a landlord but overall, it’s a good neighborhood for dogs.
Is Middle Village Good for Cyclists?
Yes, Middle Village is not bad for cyclists. With limited transportation options, residents must get creative. Bike lanes are limited so residents must share the sidewalks and roads with pedestrian and vehicle traffic. But confident cyclists should be fine. It’s more of a driving and walking neighborhood, as it’s a fairly isolated area with little nearby. But those who enjoy cycling will be fine in Middle Village.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Middle Village, Queens
The M train gets very busy during rush hour and it's the only subway train that stops in the neighborhood. If you are looking to commute, plan accordingly
You'll find more mom and pop stores than large retail chains
Most of the housing are single family homes and 1980's style condos, those looking for new developments may be disappointed.