Just finished my apartment search, have you considered Astoria, Queens? It's an incredibly nice neighborhood in north-western Queens, the N/W line runs through it. I'm coming from a shared studio in the east 80s, so moving to a two bedroom with a backyard, a 30 minute commute at only an additional 50% over the studio has been incredible. Astoria is a real multicultural community, my girlfriend and I feel totally welcome and safe on its streets at any time of day. Hopefully things work out.