The World's Borough
- Rosie Hernández
- Jan 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Growing up in Queens is something I’ll always take pride in. There’s this never-ending debate about which borough is the best, and while I respect the passion from Brooklyn loyalists and Manhattan purists, I grew up in a place that showed me the whole world before I ever left home.
Sure, our street naming convention might make you question your sanity (64th Avenue, 64th Drive, and 64th Place should not be within 30 feet of each other), but that’s part of the charm. Or the confusion. And if you’re rolling your eyes, it’s probably because you haven’t taken the time to learn the backstory. I’ll spare you another essay. You can click here.
Riding the 7
I didn’t grow up thinking I lived somewhere extraordinary. I just took the 7. It took some time to understand what that really meant.
Between stops, everything changes.
Not gradually.
Immediately.
The language.
The rhythm.
The scent.
Even the energy on the train feels different.
Every stop is a new country.
A few of the best:
Flushing – Main Street:
The unofficial capital of Chinatown, Queens.
82nd Street – Jackson Heights:
Little Colombia.
74th Street – Broadway:
A day trip to India.
All bold, busy, and bilingual (at least.)
Award-Winning Neighborhoods
If we’re getting technical, the 7 only tells part of the story. The truth is, some of the best chapters of my life live beyond that line.
In no specific order:
Jackson Heights: Born and bred. A full-on cultural mashup that somehow makes perfect sense.
Flushing: My go-to for food and Asian desserts that aren’t too sweet.
Astoria: A little bit of everything, where nothing clashes, even when it probably should.
Forest Hills: It’s giving suburban fairytale, but with four subway lines and a railroad.
Honorable Mentions:
Bayside: Easy, breezy, and unpretentious.
Douglaston: The type of place you only find if you already know it's there.
And when you pay attention, it’s not about some cool new food scene. It’s the OG, family-run, passed-down neighborhood staples that don’t need viral TikToks to stay open. The food isn’t a bonus. It’s the whole point.
Geographically? We’re Built Different
Queens is strategically placed.
Hiking upstate? Done.
Long Island beaches? Easy.
Midtown in 10? Yes.
Out of the country? Congrats, you’re already at JFK.
…and somehow, staying local means LaGuardia is the best airport in the country.
It’s the only borough that gives you space without cutting you off from society. Suburban calm without exile. Close enough to touch the city, far enough to breathe.
Being from Queens teaches you how big the world is. You grow up learning how to notice. Difference isn’t exotic. It’s normal. You learn how to belong without needing everything to look like you. It gives you depth. It gives you perspective. And you carry it with you everywhere.
Queens didn’t just raise me. It taught me how to see.
And maybe that’s why I never hesitate when people ask which borough is the best. I’ve been riding that answer since I was a kid, one stop at a time.
Please note: Staten Island and the Bronx have been intentionally excluded for, well… obvious reasons.
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