Star Tower in LIC and comps

Folks, i've just started my hunt in LIC. the only place i've been to is Star Tower, and to be quite honest, i was quite impressed with it. pricing was coming in around $675-700 psf for a 1BR. my only problem is, i don't really know the neighborhoods within LIC too well -- actually, i don't know them at all. i'm reading what i can from the threads on here, but there's so much b.s. drivel, that it's... [more]

Folks, i've just started my hunt in LIC. the only place i've been to is Star Tower, and to be quite honest, i was quite impressed with it. pricing was coming in around $675-700 psf for a 1BR. my only problem is, i don't really know the neighborhoods within LIC too well -- actually, i don't know them at all. i'm reading what i can from the threads on here, but there's so much b.s. drivel, that it's hard to weed out the informative stuff from the b.s. ... so i'd like your help with some quick answers to some basic questions: 1) does $675 psf sound reasonable compared to similar buildings in the area? 2) does anyone have any juicy details about the Star Tower in particular? percentage sold? developer financing? etc. 3) does anyone have any info about Tishman's Gotham Center project, which is supposed to be built across the street? 4) i understand that the queens plaza area is fairly "ghetto". but i'd like to hear some pros and cons about it all. thanks for your help and insight. any other words of wisdom to persuade or dissuade me from a purchase would be appreciated! [less]