*Disclaimer: I cannot pretend that this will be an impartial discussion as I have resided in places east of Manhattan my entire life (with the exception of college) and am vehemently opposed to most things Jersey.
1. MTA vs. PATH
As much bitching as I do about the downfalls of the MTA it is undoubtedly the lesser of two evils in a head to head battle with the PATH train that services New Jersey. If you are a Manhattan-bound Astorian, you have considerably more options for your journey.
As much bitching as I do about the downfalls of the MTA it is undoubtedly the lesser of two evils in a head to head battle with the PATH train that services New Jersey. If you are a Manhattan-bound Astorian, you have considerably more options for your journey.
In addition to the flexibility, I've never waited for more than 15 minutes for a train in Queens. Conversely, I've grumbled on the platform of a PATH train for more than a half hour almost every time I made the trek to and from Hoboken. (This wait may have been slightly more tolerable had I not been doing the walk-of-shame after a weekend of back-to-back day drinking). That said, Astoria still wins the morning commute.
Astoria also emerges victorious in the late night commute.
Imagine this: It's 4am at Libation. The peep-toe pumps that were once incredibly sexy have transformed themselves into an unbearable form of torture. The smokey eyes that were previously seductive, are now, not so much. It's at this point (if you're not hand-in-hand with the stud who wants to take you back to his Murray Hill apartment) you must plan your graceful escape. The most dignified thing to do is hail a cab, remove your heels, and inform the driver of your destination with minimal slurring. If you're headed to Hoboken, good luck getting home for less than $35 and a disgruntled reaction from the cabbie. 59th Street Bridge to Astoria=$15-$18, with tip.
3. Nightlife
This category was somewhat of a push. While Astoria boasts the last beer garden in New York City and Cavo, there aren't many other reasons to make the trip to Queens (with the exception of visiting me, of course). On the other hand, Hoboken's list of frequented bars is quite a bit longer. And although it doesn't happen often, I have seen the reverse commute from Manhattan to Hoboken done on a Saturday night. Here, I'd be inclined to argue that quality trumps quantity, but I'll give this one to the west.
4. Real Estate
While we're on the topic of redeeming qualities for Hoboken, you definitely get more bang for your buck there. While rent prices are fairly comparable ($2500 for a three bedroom) the size of your room will be considerably larger in Jersey, and you'll likely have access to one or all of the following: balcony/rooftop/backyard/laundry.
5.Dining out
The diversity in Queens lends itself to some of the finest international cuisine anywhere. The Colombian restaurants are owned by actual Colombians. The Greek Taverns are staffed by, you guessed it, Greeks. Not only are these restaurants located within a 5 block radius of wherever you live, but they serve phenomenally authentic food at incredibly reasonable prices.
All that said, while neither neighborhood holds a candle to the Big Apple, they provide a cheaper alternative and a place for many twenty-somethings to call home.
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