$1,160,164Average Value$560Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
Miniature suburb set in the Rockaways
In the middle of the Rockaways, the beachy Queens peninsula below JFK Airport and Jamaica Bay, sits Belle Harbor. This 1-mile-long neighborhood has the quiet streets and green lawns of a compact suburb, augmented with public transit options and ocean access that helps residents unplug from New York City’s congestion. “It’s one of the few neighborhoods where kids are still playing basketball in the street, riding their bikes and going to friends’ houses,” says Kelly Neinast, who grew up in the Rockaways and has been living and selling real estate there for over 20 years. “People used to look at the Rockaways as a day-trip place, but a lot of people are coming to buy their forever house here.”
The quaint neighborhood of Belle Harbor features a coastal downtown area with retail and dining.
Belle Harbor's quiet walkable streets
1/2
New York City’s largest beach
On the south side of Belle Harbor is Rockaway Beach, a sandy shore that’s open all year and has lifeguards stationed during the summer. The beach in Belle Harbor is less crowded than in Rockaway Park to the east, where the boardwalk has food vendors and designated surfing areas. About 2 miles west, Jacob Riis Park is another beach option that also has a par-3 golf course.
Jacob Riis Park is only a short drive away from Belle Harbor, offering pristine beaches.
Stroll along Belle Harbor Beach just south of the downtown area.
1/2
Diverse colonials, co-ops under $500,000 and ocean mansions
Belle Harbor’s largely residential streets are lined with single-family homes that create a diverse suburban atmosphere, thanks to their varying sizes. “It’s not a very uniform neighborhood,” Neinast says, “so you could have one house on a 30-foot by 100-foot lot across from one on an 80-foot by 100-foot lot.” According to Neinast, the many prewar and mid-century colonials aren’t getting knocked down, so most new houses were built during the renovations that followed Hurricane Sandy in 2012. House prices range from $900,000 to $1.5 million, and can go into the multimillions for modern waterfront estates. Rockaway Beach Boulevard, which runs through the middle of Belle Harbor, has mid-century co-op buildings with units ranging from $200,000 to $400,000. Condo buildings around this street have units priced from $250,000 to $400,000
Stately brick homes line the streets of Belle Harbor.
Some of the homes in the Belle Harbor neighborhood offer residents direct beach access.
1/2
Global cuisine with outdoor seating in the summer
The one-block stretch of Beach 129th Street between Cronston Avenue and Newport Avenue hosts most of Belle Harbor’s dining and shopping. Restaurants serve a variety of upscale pub food, Mexican, Italian and New American, covering many cuisines in a tiny area. In the summer, some eateries have outdoor seating, too. Belle Harbor Foods is convenient for small grocery trips, and the Stop & Shop in neighboring Rockaway Park is preferred for larger hauls.
Stop by for a sweet treat at Ciro's Pastry Shop in Belle Harbor.
A mini mall sits in the heart of downtown quaint Belle Harbor.
1/2
Belle Harbor is serviced by the Qm16 express bus, which goes directly to Midtown.
Boats and express buses to Manhattan
The QM16 express bus on Rockaway Beach Boulevard reaches Midtown in about 1 hour. Neighboring Rockaway Park also has an A train and a ferry that goes to Pier 11 near Wall Street — both also take around 1 hour. “Of my friends who work in the city, 50 percent of them use the ferry,” Neinast says.
Above average local schools
For preschool through eighth grade, local students can attend P.S. 114, which has a B-plus grade from Niche. Next door, Rockaway Beach has options for older students. The Scholars’ Academy teaches grades sixth through 12th and has an A grade, and Rockaway Collegiate teaches ninth through 12th and has a C-plus grade. The neighborhood also has private schools, including the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy and the Yeshiva Mercaz HaTorah of Belle Harbor.
The Belle Harbor School is a hub of educational excellence.
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Academy is known for its academic excellence.
1/2
Starting St. Patrick’s Day early
Since 1975, the Rockaways St. Patrick’s Day parade has kicked off on the first Saturday in March in Belle Harbor on Newport Avenue at Beach 129th Street. It’s also the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City. While Belle Harbor doesn’t have any official beach events, the summer always brings an influx of crowds.
Located in a flood area
According to First Street, a nonprofit organization that gathers climate data, 99% of properties in Belle Harbor are currently at risk of being flooded. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which destroyed a number of homes in the neighborhood, the city added infrastructure to reduce the risks from future storms. “The boardwalk is all cement now, and they built dunes on the beach to prevent water from infiltrating,” Neinast says.
The sparking Atlantic Ocean is a sight to take in from Belle Harbor.
Enjoy iconic views of the Manhattan skyline at Jamaica Bay Shoreline Park in Belle Harbor.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Very safe community. Close to Manhattan. Lots of places to eat. Good public schools, some elementary-middle schools but some middle-high schools farther away.
Are you familiar with the Belle Harbor neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Belle Harbor
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Belle Harbor Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Belle Harbor, Queens sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Belle Harbor, Queens over the last 12 months is $1,057,500, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
OPEN HOUSE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!Welcome to your seaside retreat in beautiful Belle Harbor. This bright one-bedroom condo is just steps from the boardwalk, so you can slip into beach life with ease.Inside, you’ll find a stylishly updated kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and a modern bath. New Andersen windows and a sliding door let in plenty of coastal light, while the elevator makes
Rockaway Beach - Situated on a 41.5' x 84' Lot and Only a Few Blocks from the Beach, You'll Find This Wonderful Legal 2 Family Detached, Built 24' x 47', with Private Drive and Unobstructed Bay / NYC Skyline Views. The First Floor Apartment Consists of an "L" Shaped Living Room / Dining Room, Kitchen, Full Bathroom, Three Bedrooms with an Additional Half Bath in the Master Bedroom. The Second
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 9/20 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! Fantastic 1 Bedroom Apartment available now in the heart of Belle Harbor. This modern unit is located within the quiet community Beach Channel Housing Co-op. This is also the only co-op building located in upper Belle Harbor. This apartment has been updated & is totally turn key ready for a new owner to call home. One of the largest lines in the
Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath ground-level apartment located just one block from the sandy shores of Rockaway Beach. Blending comfort, style, and coastal living, this bright and airy unit offers everything you need for modern convenience. Step inside through your private courtyard to find an inviting layout featuring gleaming hardwood floors and split-unit heating and
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
