Jackson Heights Life

True, Sunnyside only has one train, but at least it is the BEST train in NYC.
http://www.straphangers.org/statesub14/7profile.pdf

I almost always choose the E or the F over the 7 train to get into Manhattan. The 7 train is probably more tolerable from Sunnyside than it is from Jackson Heights as there are fewer stops into the city. I've definitely had more problems with the 7 train than other trains in the neighborhood. Considering I take it the least out of the trains and I experience the most problems with it, I have to question Straphangers grading system. When the 7 train is not working, it is nice to be able to walk downstairs and take a different train.

Sunnyside is a nice neighborhood, but I still choose Jackson Heights.

One area that I've explored more this summer than in past years is the Rockaways from around the Cross Bay Bridge west to Ft. Tilden. There's a lot of nice things happening there with new and better restaurants and bars, etc. Very different than just a few years back. I'm not sure what it would be like to live there year round. It is definitely lacking many of the conveniences that we take for granted in JH, such as the wide variety of places to shop for groceries. Definitely a horrible commute if you have to get to Manhattan each day, but a great commute to the beach! I've definitely had the, "could I live here?" thought cross my mind while there, but this may be the result of too much sun after a day at the beach.

I'm happy to stay in JH for the foreseeable future.

We are a two income household with 2 kids and are being priced out too, there is no way we could ever own here, we have no future here and are considering leaving NYC completely.   We love JH and would live in this neighborhood (where I have raised my children, they attend a neighborhood school), we just pay a ridiculous amount of money for our apartment. 

Have you looked east, to Northridge or Southridge, or perhaps north, to east Elmhurst? Prices are cheaper there.

One area I don't see mentioned here is Bensonhurst and its environs.  I actually regret not looking there as well when I moved to JH.  I like the restaurant choices better and the commute would be much easier for me. Housing prices are very similar to JH - and I'd love to live near L&B Spumoni Gardens! It's one of my all-time favorite pizza places.  My friend's 2-bedroom has a view of the bay and is pre-war and huge. Oh, and the building has a nice pool!  He pays $2100 a month - which I think is quite close to what a 2-bedroom goes for around here.  Condo/coops are reasonable as well.  I have no idea about the schools - it's a non-issue for me.

Every bad experience I've ever had or witnessed, has occurred on the E/F trains.  Not a one on the 7.  I like to see the sky, the skyline and the changes to the neighborhoods the train passes through.  I've lived in Woodside, Sunnyside and JH where I will stay for several reasons.  Commute, number of train options, restaurants, nearness to LGA, access to highways, housing stock, ease of access to CT and northern counties, diversity….

A bigger dog park and more green space would be nice and there are negatives, but overall?  One of the best areas in NYC.

park slope/prospect heights is my dream.

Part of the southeast Queens issue is the chronic flooding and the high number of illegally converted houses.  The second one may not be a big deal for some people, but the flooding is an issue for many. Until that issue is sorted out, caveat emptor.