John LaPolla III and Brittany Barb have lived in Astoria since 2014, first in rental apartments and now in a two-family house they bought for $1.09 million in 2021. But they also appreciate that “the sense of community is really strong,” said Ms. Barb, 33, a photographer. The couple bought their home from a family that had owned it for half a century. “Everybody around us has been here for a long time, and they feel a real sense of pride about the block,” Mr. LaPolla said. “It still feels like a working-class area; it feels like people are making the sauce on Sunday.”

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Persons: John LaPolla III, Brittany Barb, ”, LaPolla, Robert F, Kennedy, Barb, Mr Locations: Astoria