Lyle and I celebrated Labor Day by heading to the Rockaways, a neighborhood in Queens known for sand and surf. We love spending summer days out here, soaking up the sun's rays and reminding ourselves that we actually do live in a coastal community (a point easily forgotten when work days are spent among suits and skyscrapers).
On this trip we thought it could be fun to consider living seaside and check out the surrounding residential area. Focusing on Beach 116th Street to Beach 130th Street, we strolled the line between what is officially Rockaway Park and Belle Harbor.
Superstorm Sandy's effects are still visible here, but if you can get behind the current effort to build a resilient homestead, there are plenty of absolutely gorgeous properties for sale at somewhat reasonable prices.
It's easy to see why residents are committed to rebuilding. We certainly fell in love with the colonial and tudor homes boasting wrap around porches and well manicured lawns. It's hard not to imagine a couple of kids ridin' on beach cruisers and a pup trotting in tow.
Upper Left: 214 Beach 117th St., $299,990; Lower Left: 541 Beach 130th St., $699,000; Right: 249 Beach 117th St., $649,000
After walking around in the heat, we worked up an appetite and headed back towards the beach at 106th Street where we got a bite and a beer at Caracas. Hyped on summer sun and house dreams, we were quick to take out our phones and learn more. Turns out the K-8 public school, PS 114, has great school ratings and reviews. Over the summer months no street parking is allowed, basically guaranteeing beach exclusivity for the residents. Even the possibility of a lengthy 90-minute commute couldn't bring down our salt water high.
Hanging on the beach, toes in the sand, we were ready to call up rockaprop. This is definitely a neighborhood to keep on list and come back to visit in the winter months, when the romance of summer has faded away. After all, Lyle said it, "Exactly where we were is exactly where we want to be."