North Corona - Corona, NY

North Corona has a rich history as home to famous musicians and singers including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Civic leaders such as Malcolm X also called the neighborhood home. The area saw several recessions and bounced back strong after each one. North Corona has not strayed far from its original residential roots and remains very family-oriented today.

The Louis Armstrong Museum located in the center of the neighborhood on 107th Street provides the residents with a glimpse of their neighborhood's rich history. Exhibits and tours take place in the house the famous jazz musician grew up in with much of his memorabilia and belongings on display. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for a group.

Residents go outside of the neighborhood or take a short train ride into Manhattan to visit art galleries or art world events.

Many Latin and Spanish-style restaurants line the streets of North Corona. El Fogon Costeno Corp on Northern Boulevard remains one of the best in the neighborhood. Customers enjoy classic Latin dishes such as lobster with mixed greens and shrimp over rice and fried red snapper with green plantains and rice. The attentiveness of friendly and courteous staff, the large portions, and the fair menu prices all make the dining experience pleasurable.

Residents and visitors enjoy a very elegant dining experience at the upscale Brazilian steakhouse Rainhas Churrascaria on Northern Boulevard. The large restaurant provides a refined and formal environment with the perfect ambiance for a date or a small dinner party. The unique style of food service proves top notch. For under $40 per person, customers can enjoy the Rodizio service that includes a rotation of different types of marinated and grilled meats on a large skewer with salad and sides. A children's size Rodizio makes this place a great destination for a fancy family dinner.

Cafe Rubio Sports Bar & Restaurant on Northern Boulevard provides a great place to eat while enjoying a specialty beer or cocktail. The menu has options such as vodka penne pasta and shrimp and lobster in a brandy sauce over pasta. Desserts such as tiramisu and homemade cheesecake have customers ending the night on a high note.

Getting around North Corona proves very easy with major highways and roadways in and around the area. The Grand Central Parkway runs along the east side of the neighborhood, providing access to Interstate 678 and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

Several train stations sit in the center of the neighborhood with access to the 7 train. Subway rides start at $2.75 for a one-way ticket and provide the most cost-effective and fastest way to travel.

Cabs are prevalent in the neighborhood and easy to hail for curbside pickup. Fares vary, starting with a base price of around $7 and going up to $50 for a trip to the airport. Uber car services are also available in North Corona with rides starting at $6 for a trip of a few blocks. Trips using the SUV service to the airport start at $64.

Walking and biking in the neighborhood prove safe, as the area remains mostly residential with slower moving traffic. Bike lanes and crosswalks on some streets make North Corona safe for riders and pedestrians.

Public parking on 111th Street has daily rates starting at $25 for one day. Meters along some of the streets in the neighborhood charge a typical one-hour rate of $1.

Hinton Park on the northeast side of the neighborhood between Avenues 114 and 112 provides a large green space with baseball fields and picnic areas. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park, which opens from sunrise to sunset.

Park of the Americas, located on the corner of National Street, serves the southwest portion of the neighborhood. The park features baseball fields and basketball courts as well as a clean and safe playground for children. Public restrooms and picnic areas are also available. Park entrance does not cost anything, and leashed dogs are allowed.

The cost of living in North Corona averages 35 percent higher than the national average but remains slightly lower than the cost of living in New York City. A typical one-bedroom apartment in North Corona averages $1,550 per month.

For those who utilize the 7 train, public transportation can be very cheap with tickets under $3. The subway remains the most-used option for traveling in and out of the neighborhood. Cab and Uber services cost slightly more and are a good second option. Gas prices in North Corona run 26 percent above the national average and about two percent below the New York City average.

A beer at a local bar or pub can start at $3 for a regular domestic brand and go up to $7 or $8 for a specialty craft or imported beer. The price can vary a little depending on the establishment and type of beer.

Most specialty boutiques sit just outside of the neighborhood. Made in Colombia Boutique on Junction Boulevard has a wide selection of Latin-inspired women's and men's fashion. Unique and vibrant Colombian designs and fabrics make up most of the apparel and accessories. Prices at the boutique are very affordable for New York City.

Several grocery stores serve the North Corona neighborhood, including C-Town Supermarket on Roosevelt Avenue. Smaller delis and groceries sit throughout the neighborhood, including the 111th Street Family Grocery serving the south end of the neighborhood. On the north side, residents shop at 34th Avenue Grocery.

North Corona does not have its own farmers market, so residents travel a few blocks to surrounding neighborhoods. A farmers market on 41st Avenue a few short minutes south opens from June 4th to November 26th on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.