Rockaway Beach

Often mistaken for Belle Harbor (a more uptown division of the peninsula,) Rockaway Beach is a neighborhood that revolves around beach life. Rockaway is located in Queens, New York and is has lots of of Irish families living there. During the winter, kids are sledding on hills and playing in the snow but when it gets too cold we're just chilling at each other's houses. During the summer everyone's at the beach and at parties and having the time of our lives. There's lots of businesses, from pizza places to surf shops to tattoo parlors. Kids usually form their own close group of friends and the parents are friends too. After you pass 116th street it's basically Belle Harbor, where it's a bit of a safer area and the kids get a bit meaner to outsiders. The common surfing spot is 90th street, and it's very localized, so if you're new to the beach it's best to gradually earn your spot in the lineup. Things are stolen sometimes and people can be shady but if you stay with your friends and are careful you'll be fine. I've lived in Rockaway my whole life and I never want to leave, and I'm so happy with my life there. The rockaway kids all surf and love each other more than anything and are always together whether it's on the beach or not. Uptown in belle harbor, kids aren't as into surfing and generally aren't as good. Rockaway is all-around the best place to be but was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. We will rebuild and be better than ever!