There is a new narrative unfolding in New York City real estate, and nowhere is it more evident than in Queens. This past quarter, Queens shattered its own record for average sales price, with one- to three-family homes now averaging over $1 million for the first time ever, a milestone confirmed by the latest residential brokerage reports released in July. Underscoring this momentum, the median asking price and the number of homes for sale in Queens posted the largest year-over-year percentage increases compared to Manhattan and Brooklyn. In just the past year, homes in Queens appreciated by an impressive $196,400. Meanwhile, Manhattan has slipped from being the nation’s third most expensive housing market in 2019 to not even cracking the Top 10 today.
These achievements are a testament to the borough’s transformation into a destination where luxury, well-being, and investment opportunity converge. The shift is unmistakable. Queens is rising, and the numbers prove it.
The Science of Happiness at Home
Happiness begins at home. Recent data from the American Human Development Index quantifies this truth, measuring what matters most: health, education and economic opportunity. Statistics show families choosing neighborhoods where children grow up healthier, commutes are less taxing and the view from your window inspires dreams beyond the Manhattan skyline.
On a 10-point scale, the well-being index reveals that Long Island City posted a near- perfect well-being score of 9, while Sunnyside registered 7.21 and Woodside came in at 6.36. Together, the three neighborhoods averaged 7.52, marking a significant jump from the 5.97 average they posted in 2015. They ranked higher than the Queens boroughwide average of 7.3 and well above the New York City average of 6.14.
More striking still, the average life expectancy across the three neighborhoods climbed to 86.4 years, up from 85.4 years in 2015. Long Island City and Sunnyside both posted an average of 87.2 years, nearly five years longer than the citywide average.
This extraordinary transformation validates what discerning residents have discovered about Western Queens’ unique combination of luxury, community and genuine quality of life.
Designing for Happiness
At our Centric condominium in Sunnyside East, we have witnessed this evolution firsthand. The recent record-breaking $1.512 million sale, the highest residential price in both Sunnyside and Woodside history, was less about square footage and fi nishes, and more about a three-bedroom penthouse where 1,280 square feet of outdoor terraces frame panoramic Manhattan views. These homes remind residents daily why they chose this life, this home and this neighborhood where well-being flourishes.
As developers, we’ve learned that luxury amenities serve genuine lifestyle needs rather than as status symbols alone. The extensive suite of amenities at Centric creates environments where happiness occurs naturally, from private gyms and co-working centers that support health and career flexibility, to rooftop terraces and pickleball courts where neighbors become friends. These are intentional investments in the daily moments that exemplify the measurable well-being attributes of Western Queens, where energy translates into genuine life satisfaction.
Connected to Everything That Matters
When viewed through the lens of well-being research, the transportation access that has long defined Western Queens’ appeal takes on new meaning. The express 7 train and Long Island Rail Road connections from Woodside and Sunnyside East provide efficient commutes that deliver the gift of time — time for morning workouts, family dinners and actually using those community amenities that foster personal fulfillment.
Median personal earnings were highest in Long Island City at $106,500, one of the top figures among nearly 200 neighborhoods citywide, further evidence that this connectivity enables residents to maintain roots in neighborhoods that prioritize quality of life while pursuing career opportunities across the metropolitan area.
The Developer’s Responsibility
From an investment perspective, the fundamentals are more compelling than ever. The surge in home values, record-breaking sales and rising demand signal a market that rewards both residents and investors. As the developer behind Centric in Woodside, Radiant and The Neighborly in Long Island City, and over 120 residential projects throughout New York City, I am most proud of having provided what is now a measurable framework for families to prosper. When families choose our developments, they are investing in neighborhoods where the data confirms what their instincts already knew.
The well-being scores rising across Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside reflect the natural outcome when thoughtful development meets authentic communities, when luxury amenities serve genuine lifestyle needs, and when homes are designed around how people live. The eastward expansion of Western Queens represents a real estate opportunity as well as the chance to be part of neighborhoods where happiness isn’t accidental, it’s measurable. Where home isn’t just where you sleep, but where well-being begins.
As we look ahead, our commitment to building communities where well-being thrives will only grow stronger.
