You want the skyline views and an easy commute, but you keep bouncing between Williamsburg and Long Island City. Both offer great condo options, yet they feel very different day to day. In this guide, you’ll map your condo wish list to each neighborhood’s commute, building styles, prices, parks, and future development so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Quick take: how they differ
- Prices and product: Williamsburg is a mature, lifestyle‑driven market with boutique condos, loft conversions, and premium waterfront towers that often trade at higher medians and strong price per square foot. Recent trackers place medians in the low to mid seven figures, depending on the month and data set. PropertyShark’s Williamsburg trends illustrate the premium nature of this market.
- More new choices in LIC: LIC has a larger concentration of recent and pipeline condo towers, especially near Court Square and the waterfront. Early 2025 reports noted softer asking prices and rising inventory, which made LIC one of StreetEasy’s best neighborhoods for buyers in 2025.
- Lifestyle: Williamsburg leans into restaurants, music, and boutique retail, while LIC offers quieter tower living, growing arts institutions, and striking waterfront parks.
Commute and daily rhythm
Long Island City: short hops to Midtown
- Trains at Court Square connect you to the 7, E, and M, which are direct to Midtown East and Midtown West. A Court Square to Grand Central ride can be roughly 7 to 11 minutes in typical conditions according to a sample trip check.
- You can also use N/W and 7 at Queensboro Plaza, plus NYC Ferry landings at Hunters Point for waterfront commutes.
Williamsburg: direct to 14th Street
- The L train is excellent for Union Square and 14th Street. Reaching Midtown East usually involves a transfer. J/M/Z lines and NYC Ferry stops expand your options and can be great in good weather.
Commute fit tip
- If your office is in Midtown East, LIC usually wins for time and transfers. If your day or nights out center on Union Square or the West Village, Williamsburg’s L is hard to beat. Test your route during your actual commute window before you buy.
Condo options and prices
LIC: new development variety and value pockets
- What you’ll see: modern mid to high‑rise condos with full amenity packages, many sponsor offerings, and frequent new launches around Court Square and the waterfront.
- Pricing picture: early to mid‑2025 reports showed more inventory and softer asking prices, with many studios and one‑bedroom closings pulling medians down in some periods. That creates more variety in the high‑six to low‑seven figure range, though top new‑development units can trade at premium price per square foot. LIC’s buyer‑friendly profile was highlighted in StreetEasy’s 2025 roundup.
Williamsburg: character, cachet, and premium waterfront
- What you’ll see: converted lofts and brownstones inland, plus high‑end waterfront towers near Domino and Northside Piers. Boutique buildings often mean fewer units and a more intimate feel.
- Pricing picture: Williamsburg typically commands strong $/ft² relative to much of Queens, with waterfront product at notable premiums. Review current medians and recent comps with sources like PropertyShark’s neighborhood trends before you write your offer.
Parks and lifestyle anchors
- LIC: Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunters Point South Park deliver lawns, piers, and sweeping skyline views. These waterfront spaces are a signature draw for many buyers. Explore the official page for Gantry Plaza State Park.
- Williamsburg: Domino Park ties the waterfront together with playgrounds, artful design, and riverfront strolls. Learn more at the Domino Park site.
- Culture and dining: Williamsburg is known for dense dining and nightlife corridors. LIC’s scene is growing, with museums and studios adding to the mix. Walk your target blocks at different times to feel the pace that fits you.
Development to watch
- LIC’s next chapter: The City launched public review in 2025 for the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, which contemplates nearly 14,700 new homes and significant job growth over many years. See the announcement from the Mayor’s office for scope and status: OneLIC public review begins.
- What it means: more housing supply, evolving retail and public space, and a long buildout that can create both opportunities and construction periods. Consider your tolerance for change and your timeline.
- Williamsburg build‑out: The Domino waterfront transformation continues to shape the area. Street life and destination dining are well established, and new pieces tend to arrive parcel by parcel rather than through a broad rezoning.
Which fits your wish list?
- Quick Midtown access, fewer transfers, modern towers: lean LIC.
- Direct access to Union Square and 14th Street, nightlife and boutique retail: lean Williamsburg.
- Big amenity packages, new finishes, wider variety under $1M in some cycles: lean LIC.
- Loft character, brownstone blocks, established premium waterfront: lean Williamsburg.
- Iconic waterfront parks and skyline vistas: both, with different flavors.
Smart buying moves in LIC and Williamsburg
- Compare total monthly costs, not just price. Model mortgage, taxes, and common charges against each building’s amenity list.
- Verify sponsor timelines, financing requirements, and reserve levels for new developments. Ask about any transfer or leasing restrictions.
- Pull recent sold comps for the exact line and exposure you want, since $/ft² varies by block and building.
- Test your commute during peak hours, and factor your actual walk to the station or ferry.
- If schools matter to you, review district zoning and program options for your specific address before you bid.
Ready to see how your budget and must‑haves map to real listings on both sides of the river? Get a curated shortlist, line‑by‑line cost breakdowns, and on‑the‑ground guidance with Donald Lai.
FAQs
How does the commute from Long Island City to Midtown compare to Williamsburg?
- LIC offers short, direct rides to Grand Central and other Midtown hubs via the 7 and E/M, often in about 7 to 11 minutes from Court Square. Williamsburg’s L is direct to 14th Street and Union Square, with a transfer usually needed for Midtown East.
What are current price trends for condos in LIC vs. Williamsburg?
- Early 2025 reports flagged LIC as more buyer friendly, with softer ask prices and more inventory in some segments, per StreetEasy’s 2025 analysis. Williamsburg continues to post higher medians and strong $/ft² in many months, as shown in PropertyShark’s neighborhood trends.
Which parks and open spaces define each area?
- LIC’s Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunters Point South Park are major waterfront draws with lawns and piers. Williamsburg’s Domino Park anchors the riverfront with walkways, play areas, and skyline views.
How could the OneLIC rezoning affect buyers in Long Island City?
- The plan envisions nearly 14,700 new homes over many years, adding supply and public space while introducing a long period of change and construction. Read the City’s summary of the public review start here: OneLIC overview.
Is LIC or Williamsburg better for condo investors?
- It depends on unit type, building rules, and your time horizon. LIC’s pipeline and proximity to Midtown support demand in many segments, and recent reports noted rising sales activity, as covered by QNS on LIC condo momentum. Williamsburg’s brand strength and limited waterfront inventory often sustain premium rents and prices.
