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Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

$568,921 Average Value
$541 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 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 multicultural 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

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

Rockaway Beach Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$620,000
Median Sale Price
$499,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$639,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$299,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$595,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
39
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
29%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$541

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
338
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
7.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,033
Significantly below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,036
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,089
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
668
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Sep 20
    12 - 1pm

    260 Beach 81st St Unit 1D, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

    $390,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 900 Sq Ft
    • 260 Beach 81st St
    • Unit 1D
    • New 2 days ago

    Recently Renovated! Pet Friendly! An incredible opportunity to enjoy beachside living with a dedicated parking spot just steps from your unit. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath residence in the beautifully revamped Coral House perfectly combines comfort and coastal charm. Features include updated Kitchen, new windows, ample closet space, high ceilings, modern fixtures, and a new thermostat. The building

    Anna Spagnolo Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Rlty

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  • Wednesday, Sep 17
    4 - 6pm

    215 Beach 96th St, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

    $1,299,000

    • 8 Beds
    • 6 Baths
    • 3,600 Sq Ft
    • 215 Beach 96th St
    • New 26 days ago

    Beachside Beauty! Fully Renovated 3 Family Brick Home - VACANT & Ready to Move In!!!Just 5 minutes from the sparkling shores of Rockaway Beach, this rare gem offers an unbeatable blend of lifestyle, location, and investment potential. Built in 2005 and newly renovated from top to bottom, this solid 3,600 sq ft brick property is a true standout!Three Spacious Units - All VACANT!!!•

    Haiim Russo New Home Mega Management Corp

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  • Saturday, Sep 20
    1 - 2:30pm

    175 Beach 100th St Unit 8A, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

    $649,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,253 Sq Ft
    • 175 Beach 100th St
    • Unit 8A

    Unwind after a sun-filled day in this inviting 2-bedroom, 3-bath duplex condo just moments from the iconic Rockaway Beach. Step into a bright dining area that flows seamlessly into a spacious living room—ideal for relaxing or entertaining. The open kitchen features ample counter space, perfect for hosting guests.The primary bedroom offers a private en-suite bath and generous closet space,

    Mary Hayes American Homes Group

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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

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
$71,702
Average Household Income
$73,536

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.2%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
29.6%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

75 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

88 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

82 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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