Murray Hill Flushing, NY

The Voelker Orth Museum, nestled right in the heart of Murray Hill, provides a beautiful bird sanctuary and Victorian garden. The mission of the museum has been to preserve the history of Queens and Long Island. The museum stays open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a suggested donation of $2.

Residents of Murray Hill head to nearby Queens Botanical Garden, the Queens Zoo, the New York Hall of Science, and the Queens Museum to enjoy arts and culture. The New York Hall of Science is in the 1964 World's Fair pavilion in the park and features over 450 interactive exhibits. Just across the East River, you'll discover the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden. Head to Central Park and visit the Museum of the City of New York, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Arts and Design.

Korean and Asian restaurants can be found throughout the neighborhood. A local favorite has been Hahm Ji Bach on 149th Place. The restaurant serves some of the best Korean barbecue in the area with dishes such as marinated beef short ribs and broiled mackerel pike.

Vegetarians have several options in Murray Hill, including Punjabi, an Indian and American restaurant on 46th Avenue. Classic dishes, such as the vegetable pakora and paneer makhani, keep vegetarians coming back frequently. The portions can be quite large, so sharing remains possible. The menu prices are fair compared to other Indian restaurants in the area.

Pioneer Cuisine on Parsons Boulevard provides an upscale Chinese dining experience. Patrons order authentic dishes, such as shredded pork, mustard green soup, and Thai sausage fried rice. The menu bends the rules a bit by putting a yummy twist on traditional Chinese fare. Locals enjoy unconventional dishes as well, such as tomatoes and beef or one of 13 different kinds of dumplings.

Paradise Alley is a local favorite for nightlife. The bar features pool tables and darts as well as a great back patio that patrons use during warmer months. Of course, with Manhattan a short train ride away, residents of Murray Hill have access to some of the hottest nightclubs and trendiest bars in the world -- not to mention Broadway theaters, museums, and concert venues.

Transportation in and around Murray Hill tends to be quite easy as the entire neighborhood finds itself encircled by major highways and roadways. Interstates 295 and 678 run on the east and west sides of the neighborhood, respectively, cutting across the Cross Island Parkway to the north and Interstate 495 to the south.

Getting a cab can be easy in the Murray Hill neighborhood either by waving one down or calling to schedule a curbside pickup. Uber also services the area if you've downloaded the app.

Walking around Murray Hill also proves to be very easy as the streets are narrow, making traffic slower and the streets safer. Bike lanes do not exist in the neighborhood, but biking proves to be safe as well and a very inexpensive way to get around.

One rail line runs through the center of Murray Hill, and it connects to Penn Station, Port Washington and Great Neck. Tickets for the train start at $7 one way to Penn Station.

Browne Park is the local neighborhood park. It sits on the north side of Murray Hill between Avenues 32 and 29. The park was named after Walter Browne, a New York State Senator and mayor of New York City in the mid-19th century. The park features basketball and bocce ball courts for patrons as well as public restrooms and spray showers for added convenience. The park also features a clean and modern playground for children, and a recreation center with free Wi-Fi.

Head two blocks south of the neighborhood to Kissena Park, a beautiful park with a large lake, hiking trails, and the Kissena Veladrome. Main Street separates Kissena Park and the Queens Botanical Garden. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a huge park with a lake, boat rentals, the Queens Theatre, and the New York State Pavilion.

The Tour de Queens bike race runs through Murray Hill and other surrounding Queens neighborhoods in mid-July.

The cost of living in Murray Hill remains average compared to surrounding neighborhoods. A typical one-bedroom apartment in Murray Hill averages about $1,450 a month. Transportation in and out of the neighborhood proves to be quite easy and inexpensive with most residents choosing either the metro or driving, with train tickets starting at $7 into the city.

Gas prices in Murray Hill are comparable to surrounding neighborhoods in Queens and run equal to New York City as a whole, coming in at 18 percent higher than the national average. A beer at a local restaurant or bar varies, and starts at $3 for a regular domestic can. Pints of craft, specialty, and imported brews start at $7 or $8, and go slightly higher for rare ales.

Malls such as the Flushing Mall on 39th Avenue and the New World Mall on Main Street are popular shopping destinations for Murray Hill residents.

Pippy and Lily Boutique sits on 29th Avenue and features handbags, trendy fashions, and accessories. Pippy and Lily features a wide selection of monogrammed necklaces, bracelets, and phone cases.

Marino Brothers Supermarket on 29th Avenue in the center of the Murray Hill neighborhood acts as the main grocery store. Several small delis and groceries dot the neighborhood. H Mart on Northern Boulevard provides a well-liked Asian market carrying specialty food items. Strawberry Farms on 150th Street serves the residents in the northern section of the neighborhood and holds a reputation for selling the freshest produce around.