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Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

$583,849 Average Value
$512 Average Price per Sq Ft
31 Homes For Sale

Centrally-located Rockaway neighborhood with coastal living

Situated in the middle of the Rockaway cape between Jamica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Rockaway Beach is one of New York City’s main waterfront neighborhoods. Five miles of sandy coastline draw in sunbathers during the summer and avid surfers throughout the year. In recent years, the area’s long-rooted community has welcomed a new crop of young creative professionals moving in from other parts of the city and even Long Island. Most residents live in homes with direct ocean or bay beach access. “This section of the peninsula is only four blocks wide. Most amenities and attractions are within walking distance,” says Melissa Carrington, a broker with RE/MAX Elite and resident of nearby Neponsit.

Some homes and restaurants are on the water in Rockaway Beach.
Some homes and restaurants are on the water in Rockaway Beach.
Rockaway Beach has lots of surfers in the neighborhood.
Rockaway Beach has lots of surfers in the neighborhood.
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One of New York City’s main beaches and a surfer’s paradise

“It’s a beach town with the grit and edginess of the city but also open skies and fresh saltwater air,” says Carrington. “You see people in wetsuits riding their bikes along the boardwalk and carrying their boards with one arm, even in snowy weather. Waves are better in winter.” Abutting the beach, the recently reconstructed boardwalk is a hive of activity accommodating cyclists, joggers and pedestrians. Jetties section of areas for swimming and others for surfing. Rockaway Skate Park, Rockaway Beach Amphitheater and the Shore Front Parkway Adventure Course host events throughout the spring and summer but are open all year long. Close to the bay, there’s the Pier 8 fishing dock, the Rockaway Freeway Dog Run and Hammels Playground.

The Rockaway Amphitheater is a standout in Rockaway Beach featuring geometric architecture.
The Rockaway Amphitheater is a standout in Rockaway Beach featuring geometric architecture.
Rockaway Beach residents are always ready to surf.
Rockaway Beach residents are always ready to surf.
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Restaurant Row and seasonal beachside eateries

A short stretch of Rockaway Beach Boulevard is locally known as Restaurant Row and has an eclectic array of establishments like Central Asian mainstay Uma’s and popular barbeque joint Smoke & Barrel. A shopping center with a Key Food grocery store and Family Dollar covers the essentials. A number of seasonal hot spots like burger and hot dog go-to Rippers line the boardwalk. Peruvian seafood counter La Cevicheria stays open in the fall and winter as well. Boarders Surf Shop is an important resource for Rockaway Beach’s thriving surf scene.

Uma of Rockaway Beach has an extensive menu.
Uma of Rockaway Beach has an extensive menu.
Boarder's is a family-own business of Rockaway locals who know the surfs of Rockaway Beach.
Boarder's is a family-own business of Rockaway locals who know the surfs of Rockaway Beach.
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Detached Saltbox-style houses and high-rise condos

Though mostly a commercial area, there’s a wide variety of homes on offer in Rockaway Beach. Quiet side streets are filled with detached Saltbox-style single-family and multifamily homes selling for between $650,000 and $850,000. A few semi-detached postwar properties start at $550,000. While condos in postwar high-rises with water-facing balconies hover around the $350,000 mark, more recent townhome-style developments near the beach have units priced closer to $600,000.

A row of saltbox cape cod homes,  seen across Rockaway Beach along smaller rural streets.
A row of saltbox cape cod homes, seen across Rockaway Beach along smaller rural streets.
Ocean Breeze in Rockaway Beach features private parking and great views of the shore.
Ocean Breeze in Rockaway Beach features private parking and great views of the shore.
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Hurricane Sandy and flood insurance

Much of the original wooden Rockaway Boardwalk washed away during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The Army Corps of Engineers spent years rebuilding and securing this infrastructure. It now also serves as a sea wall, protecting homes from potential storm surges coming off the ocean. Many homeowners have opted to raise their properties and pour higher foundations. New buildings must sit on pylons at least 10 to 12 feet high. All of Rockaway Peninsula is in a flood zone with subsections rated between X and A based on risk. This rubric informs the cost of mandatory annual insurance.

Newer homes are built higher of the ground to prevent flooding.
Newer homes are built higher of the ground to prevent flooding.
Rockaway Beach is a neighborhood on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NY.
Rockaway Beach is a neighborhood on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NY.
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The Channel View School for Research is in the top 20% of citywide rankings

Students can begin their education at Waterside Children's Studio School in nearby Rockaway Park. With an A-minus rating from Niche, this elementary school has a favorable 11 to 1 student-teacher ratio. With a B-minus score, Channel View School for Research covers Grades 6 to 12 and is in the top 20% of citywide high schools according to the New York City Department of Education. Channel View is lauded for its expeditionary learning model. Its students acquire knowledge and skills by investigating real-world problems. There are also parochial schools like St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy.

Waterside Children's Studio School is a top school in Rockaway Beach.
Waterside Children's Studio School is a top school in Rockaway Beach.
Students are the highest priority at Rockaway Collegiate High School in Rockaway Beach.
Students are the highest priority at Rockaway Collegiate High School in Rockaway Beach.
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Bridge to the Belt Parkway and the A Subway to Manhattan

The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge connects directly between Rockaway Beach and the Belt Parkway on the other side of Jamaica Bay. The A Subway stops at several stations in the neighborhood and gets residents to Lower Manhattan in an hour. During the summer, there’s a free shuttle from the beach to the 108th Street Ferry dock, which has direct service to Wall Street.

Rockaway Beach residents can take the Cross Bay Bridge to connect o Brooklyn and beyond.
Rockaway Beach residents can take the Cross Bay Bridge to connect o Brooklyn and beyond.
The Rockaway Beach stations between Beach 90 St and 116 St are a short walk from the beach.
The Rockaway Beach stations between Beach 90 St and 116 St are a short walk from the beach.
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Adrian Madlener
Written By
Adrian Madlener
Perez Folds
Photography Contributed By
Perez Folds

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

John F Kennedy International

21 min drive

Subway

Beach 105 Street

Subway

Beach 98 Street

Subway

Beach 90 Street

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 99 St

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 105 St

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 108 St

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 79 St

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Cross Bay Pkwy

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 102 St

Bus

Rockaway Beach Bl & Beach 77 St

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Rockaway Beach neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Rockaway Beach US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
338
Number of Homes for Sale
31
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
12.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,289
Significantly below the national average
1,932
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,139
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,060
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
683
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 30
    1 - 2pm

    3-33 Beach 88th St, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

    $650,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,870 Sq Ft
    • 3-33 Beach 88th St
    • New 10 days ago

    Bring your vision and contractor to this charming Rockaway Beach home with a 2-car driveway, low property taxes, low-cost flood insurance (Zone X), and generous room to grow. Fully detached and set back on a nearly 4,000 SF lot, this property offers an exceptional opportunity to expand and create your ideal residence with 2,884 SF of unused FAR (please consult your architect). While the property

    Agent Photo
    Casey Mullin
    Compass
    (929) 383-7089
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  • Saturday, May 30
    11am - 12:30pm

    3-18 Beach 87th St, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

    $1,400,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 3,872 Sq Ft
    • 3-18 Beach 87th St
    • New 3 days ago

    This is the one you ve been waiting for: Rockaway s most architecturally distinctive and structurally resilient home is available now for the first time in 20 years. Meticulously maintained and masterfully designed, this one-of-a-kind residence combines striking aesthetics with thoughtful engineering. With a stunning double-height great room with 22-foot ceilings, 2 walls of oversized double

    Agent Photo
    Casey Mullin
    Compass
    (929) 416-1107
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  • Sunday, May 31
    11am - 12pm

    151 Beach 96th St Unit 2 B, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

    $750,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,215 Sq Ft
    • 151 Beach 96th St
    • Unit 2 B
    • New 30 days ago

    Oceanfront 2-bed, 2-bath condo with a private terrace and parking. Enjoy coastal living at its finest in this sun-filled beachfront retreat. Awaken to the soothing sounds of the waves and unwind on the 20' + wide terrace, your front-row seat for glistening water views and dolphin and whale sightings. The beautiful beach and 5.5-mile boardwalk are just across the street. The oversized windows,

    Agent Photo
    Casey Mullin
    Compass
    (929) 205-5283
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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
12
Median Rent
$2,800
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,160
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,180
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,750
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,100
Median Condo Rent
$2,800
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,850

Demographics

Total Population
16,242
Median Age
47
Population Density
37 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,648
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$73,536

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.2%
On par with the national average
89%
College Graduates
29.6%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
Below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
21''

Area Factors

Very friendly

Bikeability®

80 / 100

Moderately friendly

Walkability®

60 / 100

Moderately friendly

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Rockaway Beach