Briarwood Queens, NY

The neighborhood remains small and relatively hidden away with no landmarks or distinct features. In the mid-20th century the United Nations and New York Life Insurance Company started building more houses in the residential neighborhood to finish what the Briarwood Land Company started earlier in the century. No museums exist inside the neighborhood, but a couple of blocks to the south, the King Manor Museum can be found. Here patrons explore parts of American history including the facts about the Constitution and the Civil War, along with other exhibits from the 19th century. Admission costs $5 for adults and $3 for kids. No art galleries are located in the small residential neighborhood, so residents go to neighboring communities or take a trip into Manhattan to enjoy works of art. Because of this, there are also no art events in Briarwood.

The small neighborhood provides several different food type options with its mix of restaurants. Hado Sushi on 86th Avenue serves as the go-to sushi and Japanese restaurant. Beautiful hand-rolled classic sushi rolls like the Boston roll and Philadelphia roll are on the menu along with house special rolls like the Futomaki roll containing tomato and avocado. The restaurant caters to large parties as well. Menu prices for Hado remain average compared to other Japanese restaurants nearby. City Rib Barbecue on Parsons Boulevard serves customers delicious meats coated in the restaurant's homemade sauces. Customers can order spare and baby back ribs as well as hand-carved brisket and smoked pork shoulder. The bar inside City Rib remains stocked with over 20 different specialty and domestic beers as well as wine. City Rib sells merchandise such as shirts and bottles of its homemade barbecue sauce. Annam Brahma on 164th Street serves as the local favorite Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. Creative dishes like pesto pasta with pumpkin and red pepper and spinach quiche with caramelized onion top the list of favorites. Traditions Pub on 164th Street acts as one of the main local nightspots. The bar attracts a younger crowd made up of college students. Featuring live music and DJs on some weekends, be prepared to possibly pay a cover charge. The cover charge varies and depends on the event or musical guest. Pool and pong tables are located inside the pub giving it a real bar feel. Drink specials and beer prices during happy hour remain very affordable.

Transportation in and out of the neighborhood prove to be quite easy. Several major roadways are located in and around Briarwood. The Grand Central Parkway runs east and west along the north section of the neighborhood connecting to the Jackie Robinson Parkway and the Van Wyck Parkway. Interstate 678 runs north and south along the west side of the neighborhood connecting to all three parkways at a junction in the northwest corner of Briarwood. The neighborhood has one rail line that serves the community. You can take the E-train or F-train from any one of the three stations available here, and subway tickets start at $2.75 for a one-way ride. Uber's service area covers Briarwood. You can easily catch a cab, as well. Those who like cycling can find lanes along major streets, along with crosswalks at most street corners. The area remains very safe and easy to walk or bike.

The Briarwood Playground sits in the center of the neighborhood providing easy access to play equipment for all residents. The clean and well-maintained play area also contains basketball and handball courts. It also has spray showers for use in the summer. The park does not cost anything and permits leashed dogs. The Hoover-Manton play area serves the residents who live on the west side of the neighborhood. Here patrons enjoy a playground with safe play equipment for children. Basketball and handball courts can also be found here along with public restrooms and spray showers for added convenience. A fitness section with adult fitness equipment can also be located inside the park. The park remains free of charge and permits leashed dogs in some areas.

The cost of living in Briarwood proves to be lower than surrounding neighborhoods. A typical one-bedroom apartment averages $1,100 a month in rent. Public transportation remains affordable with many residents utilizing the two trains and several subway stations located in the neighborhood. One-way rides on the subway cost under $3. Beer at a local bar or restaurant start at around $2 or $3 for a regular domestic beer during happy hour and can go up to around $8 or more for a pint of specialty or craft brew. Gas prices in Briarwood run around 22 percent higher than the national average.

Briarwood remains mostly residential with close to no specialty boutique shops inside the neighborhood. Residents travel just outside the boundaries of Briarwood to satisfy their shopping needs. Roxx located on Jamaica Avenue carries the latest in women's fashion and accessories. Ladies like to shop here because the store carries everything from trending fashion tops and dresses to shoes and cosmetics. The affordable prices mean that you can find a clubbing outfit with shoes for under $150. Another boutique just outside of Briarwood that ladies love is Emmie's Boutique. Here customers enjoy shopping the wide selection of trendy jewelry. This boutique carries unique examples of body jewelry and headpieces. Key Foods on Queens Boulevard acts as the neighborhoods main grocery store with a few smaller shops scattered throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood does not have its own farmers market, so residents travel to neighboring communities for an outside market experience.