Quality of Life in Queens Under Scrutiny Following NYC Survey

The results of a recent study indicating that urban residents are generally dissatisfied with their life quality resonated with many inhabitants of Queens. In the 2025 NYC Resident Survey, conducted by the Citizens Budget Commission, less than a third (33 percent) of the individuals surveyed in the borough classified their life quality as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. This percentage is slightly below the citywide average, where 34 percent reported the same level of satisfaction.

Varied segments of the Queens community shared their belief that the quality of their life circumstances could certainly be enhanced. Even residents who are primarily content with their living conditions identified specific concerns. Bob Friedrich, President of Glen Oaks Village Co-op, communicated through email that despite feeling secure within their specific NYC pocket, there is uncertainty about the durability of this safety.

Friedrich identified an evident ‘sense of lawlessness’ tormenting the city, characterized by varied crimes, including aggressive begging, shoplifting, and vehicle theft. He asserted that some of these offenses are met with little to no consequence. As Friedrich stated, the city that was once regarded as the safest large city in the United States has seen its quality of life decline due to faulty policy decisions made by elected officials.

In his perspective, without strategic policing, recovery from this downturn seems unlikely. ‘We are currently on a downward trajectory, and without a proactive policing strategy, our comeback seems unlikely’, he stated emphatically. Another voice echoing Friedrich’s sentiment is that of City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth), who also correlates the quality of life with enforcement.

Holden identified petty crimes as significant factors eroding the quality of life. In his conversation with the Chronicle, he cited varied instances like public urination, derelict automobiles, fare evasion, and the misuse of electric bikes on sidewalks. He links these quality of life issues directly to the city’s police force strength and the decriminalization of the previously mentioned actions.

In a recent survey conducted by CBC in June, only 42 percent of city residents rated the safety of their neighborhood as good or excellent. This figure marks a decline from the 50 percent reported in 2017, but a slight improvement from 2023. Richard Khuzami, President of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, shared his observations on how minor issues such as traffic violations can accumulate and undermine public trust and safety.

Asserting the need for accountability, Khuzami suggested that recurring offenders of minor crimes contribute to the current chaos on the city streets. He stated, ‘Without some form of accountability for repeat offenders, even so-called ‘minor’ crimes add up and create the chaos we’re seeing on our streets.’ Conversely, he believes first-time offenders and isolated incidents should not be harshly penalized.

Discussing the issue, Auburndale Improvement Association President Henry Euler expressed that the quality of life is fairly acceptable in his area; however, there are recurring challenges. He mentioned community members’ fear of driving due to reckless behavior from electronic bike riders on the roads. ‘Their inconsiderateness poses a threat to road safety,’ he said.

Edwin Eppich, a resident of Glendale, complained about the recurring issue of traffic congestion, which has negatively impacted the quality of life in the area. His concerns are compounded by non-local drivers who park their cars for extended periods, thereby exacerbating the issue. Over in Richmond Hill, a different concern is prevalent, where Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo highlights the growing issue of unlicensed smoke shops.

Algredo also mentioned the frequent use of scooters on the sidewalk, creating a safety hazard for pedestrians. The citywide sentiment about safety was reflected in the survey, where the percentage of respondents feeling safe or very safe walking alone at night in their neighborhoods declined from 70 percent in 2017 to 59 percent in the recent survey.

On the other hand, Oster Bryan, President of St. Albans Civic Improvement Association, described his area as generally safe, despite some nuisances. The borough, primarily residential, does not face alarming crime rates. Bryan pointed out that the area’s elderly population who account for over 30% feel perfectly safe in the outdoors.

However, City Councilman Holden lauds the recent launch of the NYPD’s specialist Q-teams, addressing quality-of-life concerns, which commenced operations in Queens in mid-August. Nevertheless, he mentioned a potential bottleneck in this system as these personnel are also tasked with responding to 911 calls, which poses an extensive toll on their operations, especially in his district.

City satisfaction with 311 responses has seen a massive decline, as only 51.9 percent of respondents rated it as good or excellent, a stark contrast from previous surveys. Government service neglect is another shared concern, with only 27 percent rating them as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, marking a decline from the 44 percent reported in 2017.

Another concern prevailing among citizens is the zoning changes permitted in the ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ plan passed last year. Euler and his neighbors are apprehensive that the intensifying developments can have negative consequences for their community. Similarly, many residents of Southeast Queens also opposed the plan, adding to their perception of the city’s lack of concern for their needs.

Friedrich critiqued the Local Law 97, which mandates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for large buildings to achieve net zero by 2050, as it is causing undue stress among residents, particularly seniors, young families, and individuals surviving paycheck to paycheck. The fear of potential fines for non-compliance adds to their list of grievances.

Eppich voiced concern over increased property taxes, leading to an overall deterioration in the quality of life in various Queens locality as funds are siphoned off. Euler, while largely feeling safe on public transport, distinguishes issues with the Queens Bus Network Redesign due for its second implementation phase, posing challenges for elderly and disabled individuals.