Renting in Long Island City

What it's like

Long Island City is the densest cluster of new rental construction in the city. Gyms, roof decks, package rooms, doormen, floor-to-ceiling glass, and views back at the skyline you are paying not to live in. Court Square and the waterfront at Hunters Point are where most of it is.

Away from the towers it is still an industrial neighborhood turning over slowly, which means the streets can be quiet in a way that feels empty at night, and the ground-floor retail has not caught up with the number of people living above it.

Who it suits

People who want a new building with amenities and a very short commute, and anyone who would otherwise be looking at Midtown East for more money.

The catch

Concessions here are large and constant because so many units delivered at once. That is good for you in year one and bad at renewal, when the free months disappear and the increase lands on the gross rent.

Getting around

The 7 at Court Square, Hunters Point and Vernon-Jackson, the E and M at Court Square, the G, and the ferry. Vernon-Jackson to Grand Central is about ten minutes.

What to check at the viewing

• Ask for the gross rent and model the renewal before you sign.
• Ask which side the unit faces. The 7 runs elevated through part of the neighborhood.
• Check what the amenity fee covers and whether it is optional.