Flushing
Quick Facts
Borough: Queens, New York City
County: Queens County
Zip Codes: 11354, 11355, 11358
Approximate Population: ~178,000
Community District: Queens Community District 7
Distance to Midtown Manhattan: ~10 miles
Subway: 7 train (IRT Flushing Line), terminus at Flushing-Main Street
LIRR Stations: Flushing-Main Street, Murray Hill, Broadway, Auburndale (all on the Port Washington Branch)
Nearest Major Roadways: Long Island Expressway (I-495), Whitestone Expressway (I-678), Northern Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue
Community Overview
Flushing is one of the largest and most commercially active neighborhoods in Queens, located in the north-central portion of the borough approximately 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It functions as the fourth-largest central business district in New York City. The intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue is the third-busiest in the city, behind only Times Square and Herald Square.
The neighborhood was established as a Dutch settlement on October 10, 1645, and named Vlissingen, after the city in the Netherlands. When the English took control in 1664, they anglicized the name to Flushing. In 1898, the Town of Flushing was consolidated into the City of Greater New York as part of the Borough of Queens.
Today, Flushing is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world. It is home to one of the largest Chinese-speaking communities in the Western Hemisphere, often referred to as the "Queens Chinatown." Beginning in the 1970s with immigration from Taiwan, the Chinese community expanded dramatically through subsequent waves from mainland China. Flushing also has significant Korean, South Asian, and Hispanic populations. The commercial district along Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue is conducted largely in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Spanish alongside English.
Flushing has exceptional transit connectivity. The 7 train terminates at Flushing-Main Street station, providing express service to Grand Central Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. The LIRR's Port Washington Branch serves three stations in the broader Flushing area — Flushing-Main Street, Murray Hill, and Broadway — with service to Penn Station in approximately 19 to 25 minutes. Over 20 MTA bus routes connect through the Flushing hub.
Flushing contains several distinct residential sub-neighborhoods, each with its own character, housing stock, and price range. The contrast between the dense downtown core and the quieter residential sections is one of the most notable features of the neighborhood.
Flushing's Residential Sub-Neighborhoods
Auburndale
Auburndale is one of the quieter and more suburban sections of Flushing, located in the northeastern portion of the neighborhood. It is bounded roughly by 162nd Street to the west, Francis Lewis Boulevard to the east, 47th Avenue to the south, and Crocheron Avenue to the north. The area has its own LIRR station — Auburndale station on the Port Washington Branch, opened in 1901, located at 192nd Street between Station Road and 39th Avenue. The station is 11.7 miles from Penn Station, providing direct service in approximately 22 to 25 minutes with no transfer required. CityTicket pricing applies.
Auburndale developed as a planned "railroad suburb" in the early 1900s, and that character remains intact today. Tree-lined streets are set back from traffic, with detached and semi-detached single-family homes featuring front lawns, driveways, and garages — a rare combination in New York City. Architectural styles include Craftsman and Tudor homes from the 1920s and 1930s, post-war brick ranches and Cape Cods from the 1940s through 1960s, and newer construction. The Auburndale Improvement Society, established around 1905, set the tone for the neighborhood's emphasis on residential order and upkeep.
Homes in Auburndale generally range from $900,000 to $1.5 million for detached single-family properties, with the median sale price around $940,000. The neighborhood draws buyers who want LIRR access to Manhattan, a suburban feel with yards and driveways, and proximity to Cunningham Park — a 358-acre city park immediately to the south with athletic fields, hiking trails, and playgrounds.
Northern Boulevard serves as the commercial spine, with restaurants, grocery stores, and local businesses. Auburndale does not have subway service — residents rely on the LIRR, buses (Q12, Q28, Q76, Q31), and car access via I-495 and I-295.
Broadway-Flushing
A designated NYC historic district of detached colonials, Tudors, and brick homes on tree-lined streets with generous setbacks. Broadway-Flushing offers the most traditionally suburban housing within Flushing's boundaries. Single-family homes typically range from $1.2 million to $1.8 million.
Murray Hill
Murray Hill occupies the area along Northern Boulevard between Main Street and 162nd Street. It has a significant Korean commercial presence — restaurants, groceries, and businesses — alongside a mix of attached and detached residential housing. The Murray Hill LIRR station provides additional Port Washington Branch access.
Linden Hill
A smaller residential pocket in the eastern portion of Flushing, Linden Hill offers a quieter alternative to the downtown core with a mix of single-family homes and smaller multi-family properties.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Flushing's dining scene is one of the most diverse in the country. Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue are lined with Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian, Thai, Indian, and Latin American restaurants, bakeries, tea shops, and food vendors. The New World Mall food court on Roosevelt Avenue features 32+ vendors serving regional Chinese cuisine. Queens Crossing, on the corner of Main Street and 39th Avenue, adds over 110,000 square feet of retail. Flushing Commons, a 1.8-million-square-foot mixed-use complex near the 7 train station, adds residential, retail, and public space.
The Queens Borough Public Library's Flushing branch, a 75,000-square-foot glass tower built in 1998, is one of the busiest public libraries in the United States.
Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (home of the US Open) are located in adjacent Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The park also includes the Unisphere (the iconic 12-story globe from the 1964 World's Fair), the Queens Museum, the Queens Zoo, and the New York Hall of Science.
The Flushing Town Hall, a Romanesque Revival building dating to 1862, operates as a cultural center hosting concerts, exhibitions, and community events.
Outdoor Recreation
Flushing's proximity to one of New York City's largest parks, combined with its own neighborhood green spaces, provides varied outdoor access.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
At 897 acres, this is the largest park in Queens and the fourth-largest in New York City. It was the site of both the 1939/1940 and 1964/1965 World's Fairs. Facilities include Meadow Lake (the largest fishable freshwater body in NYC), athletic fields, walking and biking paths, playgrounds, the Queens Museum, the Queens Zoo, the USTA National Tennis Center, and Citi Field. The Unisphere, a 140-foot stainless steel globe, is the park's most recognizable landmark.
Kissena Park
A 234-acre park in southeastern Flushing with a lake, velodrome (cycling track), walking paths, athletic fields, and playgrounds. Kissena Corridor Park connects it to Flushing Meadows.
Bowne Park
A neighborhood park with a pond, playground, and green space, located in the residential section of Flushing near 32nd Avenue.
Broadway-Flushing Historic District
A landmarked residential neighborhood of tree-lined streets and detached single-family homes. While not a park, its sidewalks and mature landscaping make it one of the most walkable and scenic residential areas in Flushing.
Nearby Communities
Bayside borders Flushing to the northeast and offers its own LIRR station, Bell Boulevard dining scene, and Fort Totten waterfront access. Whitestone is to the north, with single-family homes and waterfront parks. College Point is to the northwest. Fresh Meadows and Kew Gardens Hills are to the south. Corona is to the west.
Flushing is also a common starting point for buyers who move east into Nassau County. Many buyers who end up purchasing in Manhasset, Port Washington, or Great Neck begin their search in Flushing and move along the Port Washington LIRR branch as their priorities evolve.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Flushing has one of the strongest transit profiles of any outer-borough neighborhood in New York City, with both subway and LIRR access to Manhattan.
Subway: 7 train (IRT Flushing Line), terminus at Flushing-Main Street. Express service to Grand Central Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. Local service to Times Square/42nd Street. Trains run every 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours.
LIRR Stations: Flushing-Main Street, Murray Hill, Broadway, and Auburndale (all on the Port Washington Branch)
LIRR Travel Time to Penn Station: ~19 to 25 minutes from Flushing-Main Street
LIRR CityTicket: $5 off-peak, $7 peak for travel within NYC
Train Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours; approximately every 30 minutes off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 10 to 12 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard to the Queensboro Bridge. During peak commute hours, expect 40 to 70 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Express Bus: QM2, QM20, and other express routes provide additional service to Midtown Manhattan.
Bus Hub: Over 20 MTA bus routes serve the Flushing hub, connecting to neighborhoods throughout Queens, the Bronx, and Nassau County.
History
Flushing was established as a settlement of New Netherland on October 10, 1645, on the eastern bank of Flushing Creek. The Dutch named it Vlissingen after the city in the Netherlands. In 1657, residents of Flushing signed the Flushing Remonstrance — a petition protesting Governor Peter Stuyvesant's ban on Quaker worship. The document is considered one of the earliest expressions of religious freedom in America and a precursor to the First Amendment. The Bowne House (1661), where Quakers met in defiance of the ban, still stands on Bowne Street and is a National Historic Landmark.
The Town of Flushing was one of the original five towns of Queens County, established in 1683. In 1898, it was consolidated into the City of Greater New York. Through the early 20th century, Flushing developed rapidly with the construction of the Queensboro Bridge (1909), the extension of LIRR service to Penn Station (1910), and the opening of the 7 train's Main Street terminal (1928).
Flushing was a forerunner of Hollywood — the young American film industry was based here before moving to California. The RKO Keith's theater hosted vaudeville acts and appearances by the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, and Mickey Rooney.
The 1939/1940 and 1964/1965 World's Fairs were held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, leaving behind the Unisphere, the Queens Museum (housed in the New York City Building), and the park's infrastructure. Beginning in the 1970s, waves of immigration from Taiwan, mainland China, Korea, South Asia, and Latin America transformed Flushing into one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world.
Real Estate Overview
Flushing's real estate market is one of the most varied in Queens, spanning from entry-level co-ops to luxury high-rise condominiums to detached single-family homes in landmarked residential districts.
The downtown core around Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue is dominated by high-rise and mid-rise condominium developments, including Sky View Parc (448 units with a green roof and amenities), Tangram, Flushing Commons, and The Prince. Luxury condos in these buildings range from $800,000 to $2 million and above. Post-war co-ops throughout the neighborhood provide lower entry points, typically starting in the $350,000 to $550,000 range.
The residential sub-neighborhoods offer a different product. Broadway-Flushing, a designated historic district, features detached colonials, Tudors, and brick homes on tree-lined streets, typically priced between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. Auburndale offers similar single-family housing with a slightly quieter character. Murray Hill, along Northern Boulevard, includes a mix of attached and detached homes alongside Korean commercial activity.
The median sale price across all of Flushing is approximately $630,000, though this figure reflects the heavy volume of co-op and condo transactions. Single-family detached homes trade significantly higher. The market averages approximately 60 to 90 days on market.
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Schools
Flushing falls primarily within New York City Department of Education District 25. Elementary and middle schools in the area include PS 20 John Bowne, PS 21 Edward Hart, PS 22, PS 24, PS 107, PS 163, IS 25 Adrien Block, and JHS 185 Edward Bleeker. Flushing High School is one of the oldest public high schools in the city.
Specialized and selective high schools in the area include Townsend Harris High School (located on the Queens College campus, consistently ranked among the top public high schools in New York City) and the Queens High School for the Sciences at York College.
Queens College, part of the CUNY system, is located in the Flushing/Kew Gardens Hills area on a 77-acre campus.
For additional details, visit the NYC Department of Education website or review school information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Flushing?
Buyers consider Flushing for its transit access, dining and cultural amenities, and the range of housing options available within a single neighborhood.
The combination of the 7 train express (~30 minutes to Grand Central) and the LIRR Port Washington Branch (~19 minutes to Penn Station) gives Flushing one of the fastest dual-mode commutes to Manhattan of any outer-borough neighborhood. For daily commuters, that speed and reliability is a significant draw.
The dining, shopping, and cultural infrastructure is unmatched in Queens. Buyers who value walkable access to international cuisine, grocery options, and commercial activity on a daily basis find that Flushing delivers at a scale and diversity that few neighborhoods in the city can match.
The range of housing — from $350,000 co-ops to $2 million luxury condos to $1.8 million detached colonials in Broadway-Flushing — means buyers at very different price points and life stages can find options. First-time buyers, investors, and move-up buyers all operate in this market.
Flushing is also one of the primary feeder neighborhoods for buyers who eventually move east into Nassau County. Many buyers who purchase in Manhasset, Port Washington, Jericho, or Great Neck start their search in Flushing and move along the Port Washington LIRR branch as their priorities shift. The Eric Berman Team works with buyers on both sides of that transition.
Buying or Selling in Flushing?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass serve buyers and sellers across Northeast Queens and the Queens-to-Nassau corridor. The team understands the Flushing market — from luxury condo towers downtown to detached homes in Broadway-Flushing and Auburndale — and the transition many buyers make from Flushing into Long Island's North Shore communities. Whether you're selling a co-op near the 7 train or exploring single-family options along the Port Washington Branch, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
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Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Flushing
Q: How far is Flushing from Manhattan?
A: Flushing is approximately 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The 7 train express reaches Grand Central Terminal in about 30 minutes. The LIRR's Port Washington Branch reaches Penn Station from Flushing-Main Street in approximately 19 minutes. CityTicket pricing ($5 off-peak, $7 peak) applies for LIRR travel within NYC. By car, the drive takes 20 to 25 minutes without traffic and 40 to 70 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What types of homes are available in Flushing?
A: Flushing offers post-war co-ops (starting in the $350,000 to $550,000 range), luxury high-rise condos ($800,000 to $2 million+), and detached single-family homes in sub-neighborhoods like Broadway-Flushing and Auburndale ($1.2 million to $1.8 million). The median sale price across all property types is approximately $630,000.
Q: What is the Flushing Remonstrance?
A: The Flushing Remonstrance was a 1657 petition signed by Flushing residents protesting Governor Peter Stuyvesant's ban on Quaker worship. It is considered one of the earliest expressions of religious freedom in America and a precursor to the First Amendment. The Bowne House (1661), where Quakers met in defiance of the ban, still stands as a National Historic Landmark.
Q: What is there to do in Flushing?
A: Flushing has one of the most diverse dining scenes in the country, with hundreds of Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Malaysian, and Latin American restaurants. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park offers the Unisphere, the Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, and the USTA National Tennis Center. Citi Field (New York Mets) is adjacent. Flushing Town Hall hosts cultural events in a Romanesque Revival building dating to 1862.
Q: What is Broadway-Flushing?
A: Broadway-Flushing is a designated historic district within Flushing, featuring tree-lined streets of detached colonials, Tudors, and brick homes. It offers a quiet, suburban feel within the neighborhood. Single-family homes in Broadway-Flushing typically range from $1.2 million to $1.8 million.
Q: Does Flushing have both subway and LIRR service?
A: Yes. The 7 train terminates at Flushing-Main Street, providing express service to Grand Central in about 30 minutes. The LIRR's Port Washington Branch serves three stations in the broader Flushing area (Flushing-Main Street, Murray Hill, Broadway), reaching Penn Station in approximately 19 to 25 minutes. This dual-mode access is one of the strongest transit profiles in Queens.
Q: What neighborhoods are near Flushing?
A: Flushing borders Bayside to the northeast, Whitestone to the north, College Point to the northwest, Corona to the west, and Fresh Meadows and Kew Gardens Hills to the south. Many Flushing buyers also explore Nassau County communities along the LIRR's Port Washington Branch, including Manhasset, Port Washington, and Great Neck.
