random address/zipcode question

[ArkiStan]

Have you ever seen two different city names that use the same zip code? I just moved out to Queens, New York and the address on my new apt lease uses the city name "Long Island City", but most of the businesses in the same zip code use "Astoria" as the city name in their address.

I'm trying to figure out which one I should use in my official billing/shipping address. Is one of them more "official" than the other? BTW, the zip code is 11102.

:argue:

[ShawnLee]

Have you checked the post office's website?
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown_zip.jsp
This is their query for all cities in a certain zip code.

According to their option for the zip code, they say the official city name is Astoria, NY.
Acceptable city names are listed as:
Long Is City, NY and Long Island City, NY.

Basically, it looks like they don't really care which is which since it'll get to you - but the official name is Astoria.

[gwilks98]

Yep, St. Louis just LOVES mini municipalities and the post office doesn't seem to care.
I'm in 63114 (City of Overland) but it's inside the metro area for St. Louis. Either city on the address stamp will work.
Honestly, the city is irrelevant IMO since the Zip is on there.

[zenbooty]

Just say "Queens" and you can't go wrong. That is the borough and county name. Astoria and Long Island City are really just neighborhood names. I guess the the Post office recognizes them, but you'll never go wrong with the borough name. Its not like your local postmen are unfamiliar with the area.

[jstreet]

Noticed this text on Shawn's link:

Cities in a ZIP Code may be referred to by more than one name or spelling. These results indicate the actual city name. ("Not Acceptable" city names are listed for your reference only -— do not use.)

[Jcranmer]

Have you ever seen two different city names that use the same zip code? I just moved out to Queens, New York and the address on my new apt lease uses the city name "Long Island City", but most of the businesses in the same zip code use "Astoria" as the city name in their address.

I'm trying to figure out which one I should use in my official billing/shipping address. Is one of them more "official" than the other? BTW, the zip code is 11102.

:argue:

Just use a full 9 digit zip code and you don't have to worry about it. I used to work data entry for the USPS and it's all based on the zip. The only time the city / state is used to sort mail, is if the zip is unreadable.

[Jenny]

I have kind of a similar, different problem. I live in Overland Park, but half the time, stuff is addressed to me in Shawnee Mission. It can be called either. :shrug:

[The Happy Squirrel]

i run into this alot especially in the St loius area. where you will be given a cust zip code and you get three of four cities to chose from.

[ArkiStan]

Have you checked the post office's website?
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown_zip.jsp
This is their query for all cities in a certain zip code.

According to their option for the zip code, they say the official city name is Astoria, NY.
Acceptable city names are listed as:
Long Is City, NY and Long Island City, NY.

Basically, it looks like they don't really care which is which since it'll get to you - but the official name is Astoria.

Good call. Should've tried that first. Thanks!

[gwilks98]

i run into this alot especially in the St loius area. where you will be given a cust zip code and you get three of four cities to chose from.

Prngr, Chrissy or myself can probably help clear up some of that confusion. This city is a PITA sometimes.

[Yossarian]

always use the zip code, thats what the big(DHL, USPS, UPS, FEDEX) companies use to get shipmatns to you. the city really doesn't matter that much

[lindysd]

You can also ask your mail carrier, they usually know right off the bat. My wife used to deliver mail in San Diego. Ultimately, it will not make too much of a differnece. She said she saw that a lot, the mail still got delivered, but the business/home could be listed as being in the "nicer" of the two cities/areas.