The Ridgewood, New York neighborhood in Queens is an excellent moving destination. Those moving to Ridgewood will discover a working class community in an ethnically varied neighborhood that is also quiet, safe and friendly with good schools and easy transportation links into Manhattan. Ridgewood is also famous for its exposed red brick buildings, which was built in the early 20th century, with pretty bay windows, lintels and cornices.
Economy:
The economy of Ridgewood is based on the general economy of Queens and major income earners are tourism, trade and industry. JFK International Airport, La Guardia Airport and Jet Blue Airlines (based at JFK International Airport) employ large numbers of the residents of Queens.
The film industry has staged a comeback with the Silvercup and Kaufman Astoria Studios establishing bases in the area.
Some large international companies have their headquarters in Queens, notably Bulova Watches and the piano company Steinway & Sons.
History:
In 1683 the Borough of Queens was established. The Ridgewood neighborhood was originally a part of the Dutch settlement of Boswijk (which was later anglicized to Bushwick), but was then incorporated into another Dutch settlement, Breuckelen (which became Brooklyn). The Dutch Colonial Onderdonk House, built in 1709, is testament to the Dutch immigration to the area and can still be seen today.
Tourism:
As Ridgewood is only 45 minutes away from Manhattan and the tourist attractions New York City has to offer, visitors to the neighborhood will be spoiled for choice.
Ridgewood boasts the highest number of historic districts in the Borough of Queens and the Central Ridgewood Historic District must be seen, as it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.Within this district is Stockholm Street, which is the only street in Queens paved with bricks; and the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, which is a prime example of Dutch heritage architecture and the headquarters of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society.
Flushing Meadows Park, the home of baseball's New York Mets, the Aqueduct Racetrack, Silvercup Studios and the Kaufman Astoria Studios are also all worth a visit.