Astoria and Forest Hills are off the same subway line in Queens, but that's where similarities for the two Queens neighborhoods seems to end. Astoria attracts a younger, partying crowd thanks to its restaurants and bar scene, while Forest Hills is family-friendly and predominantly residential, with the exception of one main thoroughfare.

But vibe aside, you would end up paying similar amounts to live in either place. Rents and prices are nearly equivalent. And both areas have deep-rooted histories, plus a variety of options for shopping and dining, and have large public parks.

Which is why we decided to have the two neighborhoods face off. Other articles in our Neighborhood vs. Neighborhood series include Park Slope vs. Windsor Terrace, Kensington vs. Ditmas Park, Tribeca vs. Battery Park City, and Washington Heights vs. Inwood, and Astoria vs. Long Island City.

So if you’re considering a move to Queens, read on to see what sets these two destinations apart, and if either matches your NYC lifestyle.

Astoria

Neighborhood boundaries: From the East River to 49th Street, and from 36th Avenue to 20th Avenue

Median sales price: $475,000

Median rent: $2,167

Living: Living in Astoria is a true multicultural experience—the neighborhood was settled by Dutch, German, and English immigrants in the 17th century, followed by Irish immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, then waves of immigrants from Greece and Croatia in the 1960s.

Today, those communities still thrive here, along with a large Central American community, plus a considerable Middle Eastern population, with immigrants from countries like Lebanon and Egypt drawn to “Little Egypt” on Steinway Street, between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard. There you’ll find Egyptian-style lounges and restaurants.

The neighborhood is also rich in art and history—museums here include The Noguchi Museum, founded and designed by artist Isamu Noguchi. Just a short walk from the museum is Socrates Sculpture Park, on top of a former landfill. About a 15-minute walk away is where you’ll find Astoria Park, with front-row views of Randall’s Island and Manhattan, and the largest swimming pool in the city. Across the neighborhood, you’ll find the Museum of the Moving Image, near Kaufman Astoria Studios—where shows like “Sesame Street” and “Orange Is The New Black” are filmed.

Public schools in the area are generally highly rated, including the Baccalaureate School for Global Education, which is ranked as the 12th best public high school in New York. There are three branches of the Queens Library. The neighborhood is served by Mount Sinai Queens, located on 30th Avenue and Crescent Street.

Housing: Astoria’s housing stock is predominantly single- and multi-family houses, from one to six families. As you move towards the Ditmars area, it’s mostly single- and two-family homes. There’s also some larger apartment buildings, especially around 31st to 21st streets, and they are typically about six to eight stories high.

Eating and shopping: In Little Egypt, Mombar is a local favorite with an entrance decorated with mosaic tiles and an interior to match. They serve pyramids of couscous with leg of lamb and other specialties. The large Greek community is represented by restaurants like Taverna Kyclades and Gregory’s 26 Corner Taverna. Other local hotspots include Queens Comfort for brunch in a kitschy atmosphere; Astoria Seafood, where you can get a variety of seafood cooked anyway you like it; and Sweet Afton for burgers in a bar atmosphere. You can’t mention boozing and dining in Astoria without The Beer Garden at Bohemian Hall, a neighborhood staple and the original beer garden of NYC. Steinway Street’s El Basurero offers Colombian food in an atmosphere reminiscent of a popular chain in Bogota, Colombia. There’s also chains like Bareburger, Ample Hills Creamery, and Panera Bread in the neighborhood.

Broadway, Steinway, and Ditmars are the neighborhood’s main shopping arteries. You’ll find mass stores like Gap, T.J.Maxx, and a Banana Republic Factory store plus local shops like Brass Owl, The Astoria Bookshop, and Lockwood, a boutique selling tote bags and coffee mugs adorned with “Queens” and “Astoria” slogans, and eclectic home decor, books, and toys.

There are many organic markets like GreenBay Marketplace on Broadway, as well as Bravo Supermarket and several Key Foods and C-Towns. An international food hall, World Artisan Market, is set to open later this year.