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Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest features cooperative housing developments and diverse communities. Queens Boulevard transit and proximity to St. John's University serve residents.
Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest features cooperative housing developments and diverse communities. Queens Boulevard transit and proximity to St. John's University serve residents.
Did you know?
Pomonok Houses were named after a Lenape word meaning "where there is a clearing" — the housing project was built on the site of a former polo ground.
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
$757 / sq ft
Commute
Weekday mornings · leaving 7:30–9:00
- FromPomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest
- ToNear Bryant Park
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Trade-offs
Stands out
- Affordability78/100
Lower costs than most
- Safety77/100
Fewer reported crimes, traffic injuries and serious housing violations per resident
- Air & Child Health75/100
Cleaner air and better child-health measures
None of its Family Fit scores is below average; the lowest is Family-Friendly Vibe 41/100.
Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods.
What these scores don't measure: how a block feels on foot, what's changing on it, and whether a particular school suits your child. Walk it at school drop-off time, and check the zoned school for the exact address before you sign a lease.
Your family’s read
How does Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest fit your family?
An agentic read of this neighborhood — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilySchools & early education
Schools11 schools
There's a deep bench of public options here, from zoned elementary schools like P.S. 154 Queens up through the magnet programs at P.S./M.S. 200 The Magnet School of Global Studies and Leadership and the specialized Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School. Private and religious schools add real diversity to the mix — you'll find Yeshiva Ketana of Queens serving the orthodox community and a few church-run options in the area. The range runs from neighborhood zoned schools to more competitive magnet and gifted programs, with parochial alternatives in the mix too.
Browse all early-ed in this neighborhoodLiving here
Parks & Playgrounds5 places
Four playgrounds are scattered across Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest — a solid spread for a neighborhood this size. Electric Playground and Emerald Playground anchor the western side with classic equipment, while Playground Seventy Five and Pomonok Playground serve the eastern blocks. Nothing here is a destination park, but the bench is deep enough that most residents can walk to one without crossing a major road.
2 playgrounds within a 10-min walk
Nearest large park: Kissena Park · ~27 min walk (1 mi)
Transportation41 stops
Buses are your lifeline here — there's no subway access in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest, so reaching Manhattan means catching a ride to the nearest train line. The Q44 runs along Kissena Boulevard with stops near Queens College, while the Q17 and Q65 work 164th Street and Union Turnpike. You can also grab the Q75 out to St. John's University. It's a transfer-heavy commute compared to neighborhoods near subway stations, but the bus network is dense and the routes are reliable once you figure out which ones work for your schedule.
Restaurants45 places
Eating out here is less about destination dining and more about solid, reliable options for the everyday — a deep bench of quick-serve chains lines Union Turnpike, from IHOP and Dunkin' to Burger King and Popeyes, with pizza places and delis scattered throughout. The Asian food scene punches above its weight for a residential pocket, with Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino spots clustered around Parsons and 164th, plus a handful of kebab and halal counters that make for solid takeout. It's not a foodie destination, but the mix covers the bases without much driving.
Groceries10 places
For the weekly shop, you've got a couple of Key Foods as your backbone — solid for the basics. The real variety comes from the scattered ethnic markets and specialty grocers tucked along Union Turnpike and Parsons, from Asian produce spots to The Q Kosher. It's not a one-stop situation, but the mix is decent and you can piece together a full cart without needing a car.
Coffee Shops8 places
The coffee scene here skews practical — there's a Starbucks near St. John's University for reliable caffeine needs, but the rest of the options are a loose collection of neighborhood cafes and quick-serve counters along Union Turnpike and Parsons Blvd. It's not a destination for specialty brews, but you won't struggle to find a decent cup on a morning run or an afternoon with a laptop. The vibe is unpretentious and functional.
Things to Do7 places
The activity scene here leans heavily athletic — you've got a real martial arts cluster with at least three options around Parsons Boulevard, plus a dance studio and St. John's Soccer Stadium for weekend games. A couple of other kids' enrichment spots round things out, though the broader recreational mix is thin compared to more family-saturated parts of Queens. For specialized activities, the options are surprisingly solid; for general playdate fodder, you'd be venturing out.
Daycare & informal care3 places
Pomonok, Electchester and Hillcrest together offer a deep bench of pre-K options — a dozen sites across the three pockets, with the bulk tied to the city's free universal pre-K program. Private daycares are thinner on the ground, just a few independent operations scattered around Kissena Boulevard and the eastern edges near Union Turnpike. For families needing wraparound childcare beyond the school day, the pickings are narrower, so early enrollment in those UPK slots is the practical move here.
Family Resources7 places
Pomonok punches above its weight for family infrastructure. The POMONOK library on Jewel Avenue is a genuine community anchor — story times, homework help, the whole deal. For outdoor time there's a deep bench: Emerald Playground off 164th, Legacy Park along 71st Avenue, and Pomonok Playground right on Kissena Boulevard keeps things accessible. A seasonal farmers market rounds out the picture, making this a corner of Queens where families can find their people without crossing borough lines.
Healthcare10 places
Queens Hospital Center anchors the healthcare landscape here — a solid public option that locals lean on for everything from ER visits to specialty care. Dental options are thin but what's available covers the basics, with a pediatric-focused practice in the mix for families. The gap that stings: no dedicated pediatricians or urgent care spots right on the block, so for the little stuff you'll likely be hopping in the car or heading to neighboring neighborhoods.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest
Schools in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest
11
- AL-MAMOOR SCHOOL
- BIRCH FAMILY SERVICES - SUSSER
- HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC -BROOKLYN
- I.S. 250 The Robert F. Kennedy Community Middle School
- P.S. 154 Queens
- P.S. 201 The Discovery School for Inquiry and Research
- P.S. Q255
- P.S./M.S. 200 - The Magnet School of Global Studies and Leadership
- Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School
- Queens School of Inquiry, The
- YESHIVA KETANA OF QUEENS
Early education in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest
19
- AL-MAMOOR
- AL-MAMOOR SCHOOL
- Apple Tree Nursery School
- HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC -BROOKLYN
- HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY
- Ivy Day School
- Kids Circle Daycare
- New Milestone, Inc.
- P.S. 154 Queens
- P.S. 201 The Discovery School for Inquiry and Research
- P.S. Q255
- P.S./M.S. 200 - The Magnet School of Global Studies and Leadership
- P.S./M.S. 200 - THE POMONOK SCHOOL & STAR ACADEMY
- Rainbow Child Dev Center II
- RAINBOW-FRESH MEADOWS
- THE WORLD
- Tiny Footsteps
- TINY FOOTSTEPS, INC.
- YESHIVA KETANA OF QUEENS
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest a good neighborhood for families?
- Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest scores 66/100 for families on Motley — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods. The Family Fit score blends six parts: how many families live there, schools, affordability, weekday-morning transit time to job centers, safety, and air quality and child health.
- What are the pros and cons of Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest for families?
- For families, Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest stands out for lower costs than most; fewer reported crimes, traffic injuries and serious housing violations per resident; and cleaner air and better child-health measures. None of its Family Fit scores is below average; its lowest is Family-Friendly Vibe (41/100). Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods. They don't measure how a block feels on foot or whether a particular school suits your child, so walk it before you decide.
- Is Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest safe?
- Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest scores 77/100 on safety — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods. We build the score from NYPD crime complaints, pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and serious (Class C) housing violations, each counted per 1,000 residents.
- How are the schools in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest?
- Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest has 11 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 61/100 for schools — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods.
- How do middle and high school admissions work from Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest?
- Middle school: families in Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest apply in 5th grade through the citywide middle school application. District 25's 18 middle school programs admit by method: 14 unscreened, 3 zoned and 1 screened. District 26's 14 middle school programs admit by method: 6 zoned, 5 screened and 3 unscreened. District 28's 15 middle school programs admit by method: 9 unscreened, 3 charter lottery and 3 screened. High school: one citywide application in 8th grade lets a family rank programs anywhere in the city, and the eight specialized high schools admit on the SHSAT alone.
- Is Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest affordable?
- Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest scores 78/100 for affordability on Motley — more affordable than most NYC neighborhoods.
- Which borough is Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest in?
- Pomonok-Electchester-Hillcrest is a neighborhood in Queens, New York City.
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