Why Leave Astoria?!

Why Leave Astoria?! is a social organization based in Astoria, Queens, created in April, 2008 by Ran Craycraft. Also known simply as WLA, the organization gives members an opportunity to get more involved in their neighborhood through service opportunities and social events.

Created initially as a Meetup group, WLA's website is now built using the Open Social platform--giving its members the ability to organize and share their own events. Since it's inception, WLA has been featured locally in the NY Daily News, Gothamist, New York Magazine, NY1, and WABC. The website has over 3,600 members, is one of the largest local social organizations in the world and is the most visited local site in Queens.

WLA's events have drawn as many as 1,200 people to local Queens establishments. Some notable events include the 2009 Summer Beerlympics, 2009 Winter Beerlympics, several holiday and theme parties, as well as the 2009 Battle of the Bands: QNS vs BKLN.