Laidback, charming and affordable, this borough will steal your heart. Nature lovers can find the city’s largest forest preserve here, and the beach is just minutes away. Staten Islanders also enjoy free ferry rides! While this borough is a little farther from the New York city center, rents tend to be much lower. You also have access to the PATH train here, which goes straight to Manhattan. Of course, there’s no need to leave Staten Island for entertainment, the borough itself has a vibrant nightlife — including hookah lounges and cocktail bars.
Overview
If you’re looking for a gulp of fresh air but still want to live in NYC; if you are fed up with tourists all year round; if you look for a good school for you kid; if you like museums, parks, and historic landmarks, Staten Island is not to be skipped.
Did you know New York City could be like this, with vast wildlife refuges, assorted parks, and long beaches? A forgotten borough, the least populated, the greenest, the southernmost, Staten Island, New York is just a ferry ride away from Manhattan or Brooklyn. The ride is free – an entertainment of its own – and it gives you the opportunities you’ll definitely miss in other NYC boroughs. The distinctive suburban feel deepened by a slow mellow vibe gets you relaxed and at ease as soon as you get off the Staten Island Ferry. Finally, you can plan your days outside of the Big Apple’s hectic craze.
Demographics
The least diverse among the NYC boroughs, Staten Island is still a great place to meet new people and have a taste of a sundry community. Depending on which part of the island you choose, you might get the urban experiences of a younger and more dynamic environment, or the residential feel of a mature and hassle-free draw of one-story America. Families are plentiful in Staten Island – the fifth part of the local population consists of children. There’s also a lot of artists and professionals who found the rest of New York less appealing than the movies tend to show.
Entertainment
Staten Island has several landmarks you never thought of finding in New York City. Military fort Wadsworth, one of the longest-surviving in the nation, living colonial village, September 11 Memorial, and National Lighthouse Museum are the most popular among the tourists and locals alike. You could also visit the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (Chinese sculpture garden is our favorite space, with its neat bamboo-lined paths and Zen waterfalls). Have a taste of ethnic food at San Rasa in Tompkinsville, or pizza at Patrizia’s of Staten Island, and take a glimpse into 120 Bay Café for a cocktail and a quick late-night bite.
Transportation
The borough starts to impress you before you set foot on its land: State Island Ferry takes you here free, not to mention it runs 24/7. Subway is also free if you need to get to school or to work, a nice bonus the rest of NYC obviously lacks. Four bridges connect Staten Island to New Jersey – the state is actually closer than the rest of New York. But not to worry: if you dislike water but still need to get to Manhattan, use bridges or tunnels of your preference, car or train. For the walkers, the Bayonne Bridge offers pedestrian access to Staten Island, New York.
Finding Apartments in Staten Island for Rent
The diversity of apartments for rent in Staten Island, New York is truly representative of all the best things a modern city can offer. The North Shore of the island gives you superb waterfront views on Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn – and also bustles with artistic ambiance and dusk-till-dawn nightlife. Tompkinsville and Stapleton have the busiest and most populous areas, and also have a couple of historic districts to explore. Families with children should find apartments for rent in Staten Island that are near one of the upmarket public schools. The South Shore is calmer and more residential, with open space options – just what you need on a weekend. The East Shore boasts the 4-longest boardwalk in the world, a site worth visiting (just imagine the sunrises you can catch living there). The West Shore is designated for industrial purposes, so better look for some 3-bed townhouses for rent closer to the east and south.
