Illustration ©2021 by Tom Christmann Used with permission.

Forest Hills is an expansive and interesting neighborhood. Originally farmland like most of Queens, this particular area was originally named “Whitepot, ” but was changed by a development company to the more rustic-sounding “Forest Hills” after the local park, and has been eagerly developed since the extension of the Long Island Railroad and the Subway in the early 1900s. This led to the creation of the impressive Forest Hills Gardens, designed by the son of Central Park’s Olmsted, a private Tudor-revival community (no street parking allowed for the masses), where single-family homes cost in the millions and glamorous past residents include the likes of Humphrey Bogart. The neighborhood is bisected by the infamous—and at times intimidating—10-lane Queens Boulevard (there are also bike lanes on either side of the service roads).

House-wise, there’s something for everyone here, depending on what part of Forest Hills you’re in, from economically priced, post-war co-ops, to rowhomes and frame houses, and sleepy Tudor-style villages. Keep an eye out, though: Forest Hills is home to none other than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Uncle Ben and Aunt May lived at 20 Ingram Street.