Hey everyone, moving to the Big Apple in a couple months. Got a question...no way do I want a car, but I have been informed by a select few that getting a motorcycle is a good way to go. Moving to Astoria. Any comments would be appreciated. THANKS!

You should ask "the select few" who think it's a good idea about parking and insurance cost. I think it's nuts unless you've always owned a motorcycle.

Not sure what you would want the motorcycle for. If its for commuting into the city every day - don;t even think about it. For that you need public transportation. If its just for tooting around on weekends - and you've always had a bike - fine. If you already have a car - I wouldn;t trade it for a bike - as mclaurie noted - parking is not easy, insurance costs are very high - and the road conditions are terrible (aggravating if you have a car - but really dangerous if you're riding a bike.)

Motorcycle in New York City? Unless you like hospitals and mortuaries, forget it.

Haha, that answers that question. Thanks everyone, just curious about the few people who told me its a decent way of getting around. Another question though...what do you think of Astoria. This is the best location I have seen as far as cost and location. Thanks again.

My brother lived in Astoria for a few years. He really liked it. It's a quick subway ride downtown, and like you said, rent is reasonable. He had a car, but it was probably just because his apt came with parking and my parents live on LI, so it made it easy to see them. It's definitely a safe place, and it has a few good Greek restaurants too. Good luck!

The roads in & around the city are in very poor shape so I wouldn't reccommend a motorcycle. Plus it has many of the same problems as a car...you still have to pay for parking or move it from one side of the street to the other every day. And deal with godawful traffic. And what if it's raining?

Astoria is safe, nice, on the water, and is about as close as you can get to Manhattan without bring in Manhattan. Cheaper rents means lots of young people. I agree with this article:
http://queens.about.com/cs/neighborh...ghborhoods.htm

You've chosen a good spot.

Read this
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/realesta...astorialic.htm

Where in Astoria? Astoria is a large area with multiple train lines so it is a very quick commute to midtown NYC. It has amazing Greek restaurants and cafes, it also has a lot of Middle Eastern and Italian restaurants. It used to a predominately Greek area, but now most Greeks have moved out to other areas of Queens. It is very ethnically diverse area any type of house of worship is at your fingertips. It is a safe area to live in.

re: mode of transport - I'd say move here and get through at least one winter before you decide if a motorcylcle would work for you. Aside from danger thing there's also a parking problem I think, don't know if you can just leave them on the street as you might somewhere else.

There are probably Harley boards or something like that where you'd get a better opinioin than mine!!

Astoria: it's become a place that interesting young people move to. Again if possible - spend a bit of time here maybe before you find your home. What about a 2 month sublet while you look around a bit? Find them on Craigslist. Good luck, welcome, etc.