Kew Forest is the community that abuts Forest Hills to the east. The boundary line is Union Turnpike but similarities with Forest Hills continue. Kew Forests’ heart is Lefferts Blvd, with the business district set between Austin Street to the North and Metropolitan Ave on the South. The business district continues down Metropolitan towards the east and Kew Forests’ western boundary contains parts of Forest Park. It contains a slew of various ethnic restaurants, local shops, a theatre, grocery stores and other services.
Since Kew Forest was built without the architectural restrictions of The Gardens, there is a greater diversity of housing styles and sizes. Park Lane, Beverly Road, Park Lane South and other streets have several large-scale houses with views of Forest Park and were quite grand when they were built. There are many Coops all over Kew Gardens as well as some new apartment buildings being built around Metropolitan Avenue. The mix of homes vs. apartments varies street by street. Overall, the community has a very residential, comfortable vibe with virtually the entire community within walking distance, easy park access and easy LIRR access. The subway is at the north end of the community on Queens Blvd. Is does not have an active nightlife and parking is difficult. Many residents are older.
Kew Gardens is a less expensive alternative to Forest Hills Gardens and is similar to the rest of Forest Hills in pricing, but has more freestanding homes vs. the concentration of townhomes in Forest Hills. Parts of it feel very forest-like.
A sad piece of history is the infamous Kitty Genovese killing happened in Kew Gardens in 1964.
