What to know about buying in South Ozone Park, Queens, an affordable nabe that draws workers from the airport, racetrack, and casino nearby
- Renovated single-family houses sell for around $650,000 but listings are scarce
- Many houses date from the 1920s and 1930s and are on 20-by-40-foot lots
This recently updated Colonial has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a private driveway, and patio. It is asking $769,000.
The southwestern Queens community of South Ozone Park, home of the Aqueduct Racetrack (aka the Big A), is a diverse, affordable area that's minutes away from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Jamaica’s bustling transportation hub.
In this week’s Buy Curious, John McSherry, an associate real estate broker at Douglas Elliman, and Donna Demkowicz, owner/broker at Donna Demkowicz Real Estate Co., give us the inside story on South Ozone Park.
The question:
I’ve heard that buying a house in South Ozone Park might be cheaper than in some of the surrounding areas. What can you tell me about this?
The reality:
“It is cheaper than Howard Beach but more expensive than Jamaica,” McSherry says.
Where is it?
The community is bounded by Ozone Park on the west, Jamaica, South Jamaica, and Springfield Gardens on the east, Richmond Hill and South Richmond Hill on the north, and Howard Beach on the southwest.
Why would NYers want to move to South Ozone Park?
Its quasi-suburban setting and access to transportation are attractive, especially to people who work at the airport, the race track, or the casino and its hotel, McSherry says.
Noting that it’s a “quintessential Queens neighborhood,” Demkowicz says South Ozone Park is especially attractive to families.
Where in South Ozone Park should you live?
Even though the southern part is called Wakefield, "it's merely a name," McSherry says. "There are no defining features that distinguish it from the rest of the community."
What are housing and pricing like?
South Ozone Park is predominated by detached and attached single-family houses, most of which date to the 1920s and 1930s and are on small, 20-by-40-foot lots.
“There are some houses from the Victorian era, and some of the original houses have been torn down throughout the decades and renovated,” Demkowicz says.
Inventory is scarce—there are only nine single-family houses on the market in South Ozone Park, according to StreetEasy.
“Some houses fly off the market, and some are sitting,” McSherry says. “Those that are priced right sell because there is high demand. I don’t see extreme discounts, and prices are still high because the community is so desirable.”
Single-family houses that have been renovated typically sell for around $650,000, McSherry says, while those on larger lots can bring up to $1 million, the same price for two-family houses.
Although a few apartment buildings exist, most rentals are in two-family houses. Two bedrooms usually rent for $2,200 to $2,500 per month, three bedrooms $3,000 and higher.
Is there a lot of new development?
“Not now,” McSherry says. “It’s mostly renovations that are going on.”
What’s the transportation situation?
The A train runs out of the 111th Street station, and the Q7, Q9, Q10, Q37, Q41, and QM18 bus lines also serve the community. Residents can also go to nearby Jamaica, which offers subways, buses, and the AirTrain to Kennedy Airport.
What is there to do?
South Ozone Park is home to Aqueduct Racetrack and Resorts World New York City, two rather unique destinations in NYC, at least until downstate New York gets three more casinos. The race track covers more than 210 acres and hosts races throughout the year; the casino has more than 6,500 slot machines and electronic table games.
The casino also includes the Hyatt Regency JFK Airport.
What’s the restaurant/nightlife situation?
Most of the restaurants and shops are on Liberty Avenue, which shares a border with South Richmond Hill.
“South Ozone Park is a great place to get authentic Caribbean food,” McSherry says. Sybil’s has been serving Caribbean and Guyanese dishes and baked goods since 1976, Nest offers Caribbean-Chinese cuisine, and Kaieteur Liberty Restaurant “is to die for."
Other popular eateries include Singh’s Roti Shop & Bar for West Indian food, Don Peppe, known for its classic Italian cuisine since 1942, and eclectic Latin restaurant El Campeon De Los Pollos.
How about grocery stores?
There's a local Key Food in addition to numerous small Caribbean grocery stores.
Check out these listings in South Ozone Park.
131-25 132nd St.
Built in 1950, this 3,710-square-foot, single-family detached brick house is on a 40-by-100-foot lot and is on the market for $749,000. It has five bedrooms, two baths, an eat-in kitchen, living room, dining room, and full finished basement. As per zoning, it can be converted into a two-family residence.
107-68 101st St.
Listed for $655,000, this 1,280-square-foot, single-family detached house has three bedrooms, one full bath, and a half bath. The circa-1930 two-story house has parquet floors, a full finished basement, back patio, private driveway, and one-car garage. The listing notes that it “needs updating.”
133-21 120th St.
This recently updated 1,200-square-foot, single-family detached Colonial with a private drive and backyard pergola-covered patio is on the market for $769,000. The three-bed, two-and-a-half-bath house has a living room, dining room, finished basement, and kitchen with an island, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
149-18 114 Place
Set on a 40-by-100-foot lot, this two-family detached brick house has a pergola-covered patio in the backyard. The 1950 house has a new eat-in kitchen, living room, finished basement, private driveway, and two-car garage. It is listed for $899,000.
149-42 116th St.
This four-bed, three-bath, single-family detached house is listed for $999,000. The 1,112-square-foot residence, which dates to 1950, sits on a 40-by-100-foot lot and features an eat-in kitchen, finished basement, and detached garage.
Nancy A. Ruhling is a freelance writer based in New York City.
