With Gentrification on the rise and Ethnic infusion in ascent, Astoria, Queens still maintains and celebrates its Greek Culture stronger and prouder than ever before.

However, long time Astoria residents are weary that Greek Culture in Astoria is facing its greatest challenge yet in the lack of cultural activity and pride in Second Generation Greek Americans.

George Stelios, Greek American owner of Teddy’s Florist in Astoria for almost forty years, said, “The younger, new generation of Greek Americans are not spreading the culture as much. Instead their more involved in Instagram or whatever you guys are using these days.”

Aravella Simotas, the first Greek-American Woman elected into office in New York who has represented the district encompassing Astoria since 2010 and has lived in Astoria her whole life, said, “The biggest challenge for Greek Astorians is teaching the younger generations to preserve Greek culture and heritage, and instilling in them the pride that comes with hailing from such a historically rich background.”

Stelios and Simotas both have very similar beliefs in that the younger generation is the main challenge to Greek Culture right now. Stelios interestingly connected social media to the reason of the lack of involvement as well.

Stelios has a first hand view of owning a business, and Simotas of owning a political seat, both as Greek Americans in Astoria. They take much pride in all that the Greek businesses and political powers in Astoria do to share their Greek culture.

When you enter Astoria you will be surrounded by Greek businesses and large crowds of local passersby almost immediately. It is a busy, highly populated area, with much to do. You can walk through Ditmars or Steinway, the two most popular streets, and have unlimited possibilities.

You can enjoy dinner at various Greek restaurants such as Taverna Kyclades and Bahari Estiatorio, or grab a coffee at local Greek coffee shops such as Lefkos Pyrgos and To Laiko.

You can also walk through beautiful Astoria Park that stretches from Ditmars Boulevard to Astoria Boulevard and enjoy sitting by the East River or tanning under the trees, as kids fill up the playground and basketball courts. You will feel a part of the culture as soon as you enter the town.

However, Astoria is not all Greek, in fact, Astoria is one of the mostly densely ethnic places in the world. Alexandra Starr of NPR News said, “Astoria has a reputation as New York City’s Greektown, but it’s more like an urban United Nations. People from nearly 100 countries live there.”

For instance, while walking through Steinway street you will reach an area known as, “Little Egypt.” A strip of middle eastern bakeries, restaurants, cafes, hookah bars and Mosques that makes it a hidden jewel of Middle Eastern Culture.

You will also find a multitude of asian restaurants, french cafes, and an abundance of other non-Greek cultural choices throughout Astoria.

Astoria is also going through fast acting gentrification.

In a Study done by the NYU Furman Center , Astoria took the 11th spot on the list of gentrifying neighborhoods in New York. The same study found that the average rent increased 27.6 percent between 1990 and 2014, and only 24.6 percent of the adult population had a college degree in 2000 compared to 40.5 percent in 2014.

The share of non-family households also increased during those same time periods from 40.9 percent non-families living in the neighborhood to 48.5 percent identifying as non-families. Younger business minded people are continuing to move into Astoria now as gentrification increases.

Despite all these challenges, Astoria has stayed as a Greek home because of all the Greek people not only living there, but celebrating and spreading their culture. One member of the Astoria Community who has been a staple in the Greek Astoria community for years is George Phillips.

Phillips owns and operates, “Astoria Music,” a Greek-American music shop located in Astoria, and has lived in Astoria his whole life.

Phillips shared his love for Astoria enthusiastically, “Astoria is filled with Greek Culture. It’s the most culturally driven Greek Hub outside of Athens, Greece. We have Greek Orthodox Churches and we have Greek businesses and clubs. It’s everything you need as a Greek.”

Harriet Kounas is a 60 year old lifelong Astorian who works for a fashion company, but her true passion is her Greek heritage. In her leisure time, Kounas attends community events in Greek Orthodox churches, Hellenic Cultural Centers, and Greek restaurants. She loves to share and celebrate her culture with other Greeks in Astoria.

However, Kounas also voiced her concerns over the challenges facing Greek culture in Astoria today, and just as Stelios and Simotas did, she questioned the effectiveness of the younger generations.

“I think that Astoria is becoming so much more expensive, so new Greek families can’t move in. You don’t see the first generation Greeks like we used to. Like my parents were. Now the culture is dependent on the second and third generation, but generations sometimes forget their culture faster.”

This is a true concern because Household Income has increased 36% since 2000. Increasing prices in Astoria is leading to a younger, more work driven demographic, compared to the family driven Greek families, who are now increasingly unable to afford the costs.

Nicholas Stamatiades, a 27 year old lifelong Astorian gave his views from a younger generational standpoint. Stamatiades said, “ I think social media is kind of ruining culture. The new generation of Greeks and kids in general,would rather take selfies and show that they’re “cool,” than learn about religion or culture.”

Stamatiades also saw the younger generation as the biggest challenge, and like Stelios, felt that the growth of social media had a direct correlation with the lack of cultural involvement.

There was a clear consensus of the younger generation needing to be more involved to keep Astoria as culturally rich for Greek Culture as it has been for over fifty years.

While concerns have been voiced, the Greeks of Astoria feel their pride and communion of Greek-Americans will keep Astoria a Greek center for years to come. As Kounas said, “I would not want to live anywhere else. Such a friendly neighborhood with such a strong Greek presence. I really hope it stays that way.”