I took an apartment in this area to be close to the subway and near my office in Long Island City. What a mistake! The 36th Ave station for the N is in disrepair. (Although I highly recommend the N/W train to get in/out of Manhattan from Queens.) The blocks in this area are a mix of Arab, Brazillian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Greek, Italian, a few white people. This is a good thing as there are a few authentic restaurants. However, the eclectic mix ends there as it seems all these groups mostly go elsewhere for food/fun.

Street noise is noticeably bad for an area so bereft of commerce as the area is mostly a way point for Queens-Manhattan traffic. A few blocks north is the Broadway area of Astoria, which is filled with markets, restaurants, clubs, etc. However, 35th ave south is too far to be considered walkable. Oh, as there are NO cabs to be found when you need one don't bother planning to hail one when going out. You will have to call a car service to be picked up. This is unacceptable considering you are literally 3 miles from Manhattan.

Don't let attractive rents fool you. This neighborhood isn't going to convert into anything cool on this side of the 21st century.