This 1960s Queens co-op has a mix of pros and cons
On paper (or screen), the location of Karen Gardens may not seem ideal. It’s tucked between two major transit routes: the Long Island Rail Road and the Long Island Expressway. As a result, residents of the 1964 co-op contend with heightened pollution and noise levels. But for those who ultimately decide to buy within the building, other factors outweigh the bad. The six-story midrise sits at the intersection of four neighborhoods, each with its own appeal: Rego Park, Elmhurst, Middle Village and Maspeth. Within one mile of Karen Gardens, residents can reach the Queens Center mall, eateries along Queens Boulevard, more shops at Rego Center and green space at Juniper Valley Park. Plus, from the nearest subway station, a trip to Manhattan’s East Midtown takes less than 30 minutes. Clearly, convenience is the main appeal, but buyers can also benefit from the co-op’s relatively low prices.
Considering the building’s age, even new renovations offer limited improvements
With only 68 units, Karen Gardens has a small community feel. Pending board approval, owners can sublet their apartments immediately, but very few choose to do so and rentals are not common. Most of the units are one-bedrooms, but studios and two-bedrooms are also present. Each residence only has one bathroom. It’s worth noting that some of the two-bedroom and one-bedroom units have the same square footage, as some shareholders opted to carve a second, windowed bedroom out of the living space during renovations. Also during renovations, shareholders often connect their kitchen and living areas, adding peninsulas for bar seating and creating a more open layout. Although finishes vary from unit to unit, kitchens often include granite counters, tiled backsplashes and white or stainless steel appliances, including a gas range. Bathrooms often have old-school, tankless toilets and combination shower/tubs. Select apartments facing 60th Road come with a balcony that’s split with a neighboring unit. Seeing as Karen Gardens is an old building, the co-op has some restrictions: In-unit washer/dryers are not allowed, and shareholders are asked to cover most of their apartments with rugs or carpeting in order to reduce noise. Also, only licensed service animals are permitted at the co-op.
Turnover at Karen Gardens is low, adding to the co-op’s sense of community. In recent years, prices for studio and one-bedroom units have ranged from $120,000 to $239,000, while two-bedrooms have sold for as much as $350,000. Maintenance fees, which include heat and gas, are low, historically under $1,000 per month.
The simplistic co-op includes elevators, laundry and limited parking
Set between the highway and train tracks, 60th Road is part of a one-way, three-street loop that connects drivers to the comparatively busy Woodhaven Boulevard. Karen Gardens, one of two apartment buildings in that little enclave, has a red-brick facade with white-paned windows and bright red fire escapes. There’s a strip of land and a plant bed out front, but landscaping is minimal and poorly maintained. The inside of the co-op is similarly unassuming. Residents arrive to a large albeit unfurnished lobby with several elevators. The basement includes a laundry room with folding tables, as well as access to the parking garage, which currently has a waitlist. The co-op’s trash receptacles are also located in the garage, and there are no trash chutes. A live-in super helps maintain the building, but there are no other staff members or amenities like a gym, lounge or garden.
The area has a thriving food and retail scene, and parks aren’t too far away
While passing cars and trains may make the area feel busy, there’s very little movement along 60th Road itself, save the weekly influx of churchgoers attending the Mormon church across from the co-op. Reaching shops and restaurants from Karen Gardens is incredibly convenient. A 7-minute walk away, Queens Center is a mall and neighborhood fixture with nearly 200 stores. Slightly farther away, Rego Center has 25 stores and chain restaurants like Costco, TJ Maxx and Panera Bread. Connecting the two shopping centers, Queens Boulevard is lined with supermarkets and global restaurants, such as Chinese fare at Fu Ying, Turkish dishes at Black Sea Fish & Grill and Mexican cuisine at Lime and Salt. To reach quieter outdoor spaces, residents can walk less than 20 minutes to Juniper Valley Park, which has grassy fields, footpaths, a playground and a ton of athletic facilities, including a hockey rink and running track. Hoffman Park is closer to the co-op, but it’s much smaller and located beside a highway ramp. For even more greenery, the nearly 900-acre Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Queens Zoo are less than 2 miles from the co-op.
Local trains and express buses offer surprisingly quick commutes to Manhattan
A short walk from Karen Gardens, the Woodhaven Boulevard train station is serviced by the local M and R trains. From there, commuters can reach East Midtown in 20 to 30 minutes. Nearby express buses can connect residents to Manhattan even faster, depending on the time of day and final destination. Although the Long Island Rail Road passes by the co-op anywhere from two to four times per hour, the nearest station is one neighborhood away in Forest Hills — three stops away by subway or 2.2 miles by car. Drivers can also access the Long Island Expressway and Grand Central Parkway within minutes. Taking both highways, LaGuardia Airport is only 5.3 miles away.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
62/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
84/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Hoffman Park
5 min walk
Basketball
Newtown Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Walter Crowley Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Lost Battalion Playground
11 min walk
Playground
Juniper Valley Park
3 min drive
Elmhurst Park
4 min drive
Playground
Horace Harding Playground
4 min drive
Real Good Park
5 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Long Island Mews
5 min drive
Playground
Schools
Source:
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View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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