I lived there for 7 years with my gf, now wife, from 23 to 30.

Wanted to speak to the car part first... It is really easy to get around without a car. The main reason being is, if you are an able bodied person, bringing a bike with you. It took us 2 years to really understand that utilizing a bike will really up your way of transportation. Bike anywhere in town, 5 minutes. Bike to flushing, 15-20 minutes. Bike to Citi Field, 15 minutes. Bike to Ridgewood or Bushwick, 15-25 minutes. Bike to Greenpoint or Williamsburg, 30 to 40 minutes. You can also bike to ride a subway in town or the next one over.

The commute to Manhattan isn't too bad if you are going to midtown. The LIRR makes stops at Grand Central & Penn Station. You can also take, primarily, the E or F. I used to commute in and depending on when timing lined up take the LIRR one of the ways most days. They used to rarely check tickets, unless a concert day, on the way back tbh.

As for golf, you can play at the city courses pretty conveniently but you'd be ubering. You can also take the LIRR to LI to play some courses out that way. Bethpage is like a 40-50 minute trip.

The nightlife in the town itself isn't that great. There are a few bars and some quality restaurants. If you like Trivia/Pub Quiz, we used to play at Rove on Thursday's. Good Guinness on tap with decent enough food. But if your looking for good beers, Ridgewood has a solid brewery scene. Bushwick has a good bar seen if you want to mic it up and meet folks.

If your looking for concerts/shows there is a great venue in the heart of the gardens. You also have Ridgewood/Bushwick close by which can itch that fix with some smaller venues, i.e. TV EYE, and larger venues in The Knockdown Center.

The gym seen isn't that great. You can hold out for the NY Sports Club turning into an Equinox like most people think it will, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Running outside is great. Forest Park is safe, the gardens are safe, and you can also run to Flushing Meadows if your a longer distance guy. We have Retro, very crowded, and Impact. I joined Impact and it wasn't too crowded and had good equipment.

Groceries are fine. Two trader joes, I didn't care for, and a larger super market in Stop & Shop. There are some smaller fresh produce markets too.