There’s lots to love about Staten Island; the Greenbelt, the amazing pizza, the four bridges (especially the Verrazano-Narrows) but the coolest part about the island has to be the ferry. First off, it’s free. Also, there’s beer, wine, and cocktails. Perhaps most important though are the views. It’s easy to forget the glory of living in NYC but the views from the ferry and the experience of getting places by water are truly one of a kind and a constant reminder of the beauty of the city. 

Downsides? Despite early promises the NYC subway system never made it to Staten Island. This means traffic is stacked first thing in the morning until into your night. The density of housing combined with heavy traffic and a culture that rewards expressions of attitude means you’re going to find some serious vibes out on the roads of Staten Island. Our advice? Keep moving and make decisions quickly. 




 The Ferry

LookyLOO Review of Staten Island

Staten Island is the least populated of the boroughs but also bigger than most. This means there’s room for homes, yards, and suburban amenities like shopping malls, parks, and kids' ball fields. Most people who live here have a lifestyle much like their counterparts in suburbia. For those looking for a suburban version of liberal Brooklyn though know that it’s more conservative here and so if that’s how your politics run then the island will work well. If on the other hand, you’re looking for progressive NYC then you likely won’t find it here. 

If you want to check out what happens on the island throughout the year check out the [**calendar of events**](https://statenislandnycliving.com/events/): 



Lifestyle

Staten Island has 88 schools, including 55 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 15 high schools, and 5 alternative schools, all within the New York City Geographic District #31. The District receives an [**"A" on niche.com.**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/new-york-city-geographic-district-no-31-ny/). Plenty of schools in the district receive A's but you'll also find some C's so keep an eye out for performance at the individual school and neighborhood level. 

One of the standout schools at the high school level includes [**Staten Island Technical High School**](https://www.siths.org/), which is ranked 5th among all public high schools across the five boroughs and receives an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/staten-island-technical-high-school-staten-island-ny/?map). 

At the elementary school level there are plenty of A-level schools including; [**Naples Street Elementary**](https://www.niche.com/k12/naples-street-elementary-school-staten-island-ny/?map), [**P.S. 8 Shirlee Solomon**](https://www.niche.com/k12/ps-8-shirlee-solomon-staten-island-ny/?map), and [**P.S. 50 Frank Hankinson**](https://www.niche.com/k12/ps-50-frank-hankinson-staten-island-ny/?map), all of which are ranked in the top 100 elementary schools in New York.



Schools

If you’re looking for a suburban life, a ferry ride away from Manhattan, that costs a heck of a lot less than most of the rest of the boroughs, then this is a good choice. This is not Brooklyn though, or even Queens, in terms of being an emerging mix of families and young, diverse neighborhoods. 


NYC Suburbia

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**kanna172014** / Living in Staten Island / Updated 2yr
★★★

**Is Staten Island a nice place to live? (outside of a pandemic of course)**
It depends where you live. The north shore is a bit more like Brooklyn just in terms of the concentration of people and their proximity to businesses.

If you are living on a residential block in most of the island it's pretty peaceful. Most things are accessible on the Island too. I think being centrally located geographically is ideal due to proximity to Costco, multiple highways, the mall, and multiple hospitals.

If you want to live in Staten Island just to be on the Island and maybe go to other boroughs sometimes, it's a pretty good place. If you live in Staten Island and most of your time and trips are outside of the Island, it becomes a burden. [**Full Review**](https://www.reddit.com/r/statenisland/comments/hvvw5p/comment/fyvw6bi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3).

For more reviews of Staten Island from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/new-york-city-staten-island/reviews)

Local Reviews of Staten Island

While Staten Island doesn’t have a wide variety of neighborhoods for youngsters New Dorp is a pretty dense and diverse neighborhood where a young professional should start their search. Hip, historic and with a good walkscore, the neighborhood has an interesting mix of immigrant families and young professionals, and plenty of cool restaurants, bars and shopping options. There is also apartment living here amidst the homes so options for living are aplenty. 
- New Dorp
- St. George


Young Professionals/DINKs/SINKs

New Dorp

Todt Hill is the fanciest neighborhood on Staten Island. Filled with mansions, quiet tree-lined streets and actual views of the ocean from the elevated landscape of the neighborhood. A lot of locals send their little ones to the private school in the area and while people stick to their knitting it is a very nice place to raise a family. If on the other hand you’re looking for a more tight-knit vibe then look at neighborhoods like Hugeunot or Great Kills. Hugeunot is quieter, with easy access to beaches and the South Shore Country Club. Great Kills is a bit more jumping with a bigger population of families and some of the best public schools in all of NYC. 
- Todt Hill
- Hugeunot
- Great Kills
- West New Brighton
- Oakwood Beach


Families

Todt Hill 

Two of the neighborhoods noted for families are also popular with retirees. Todt Hill’s beautiful homes and quiet safe streets are a big draw for retirees who like the beauty and the direct access to the incredible cultural experiences available in Manhattan. Huguenot is another neighborhood notable for families and retirees. Great homes, less traffic, quieter streets and easy access to the beaches and a great country club mean the active retiree community loves it here. 
- Todt Hill
- Hugeunot


Retirees

Hugeunot

New York City / Staten Island

**Is Staten Island a nice place to live? (outside of a pandemic of course)**

It depends where you live. The north shore is a bit more like Brooklyn just in terms of the concentration of people and their proximity to businesses.

If you are living on a residential block in most of the island it's pretty peaceful. Most things are accessible on the Island too. I think being centrally located geographically is ideal due to proximity to Costco, multiple highways, the mall, and multiple hospitals.

If you want to live in Staten Island just to be on the Island and maybe go to other boroughs sometimes, it's a pretty good place.

If you live in Staten Island and most of your time and trips are outside of the Island, it becomes a burden.

**Is Staten Island a nice place to live? (outside of a pandemic of course)**

Its a pretty great place, you can get a taste of both urban and suburban life here. Food is good, no complaints. Theres also plenty of (trash covered) parks and beaches that are passable if you like being outdoors but can't exactly travel far regularly.

South shore is decent, you won't be bothered, everything is within a short distance. The people on the south shore are EXACTLY like every Staten Island stereotype you have heard of. Its 1:1 with few exceptions. Blue collar, dumb and proud, but generally will leave you alone if you leave them alone.



**Is Staten Island a nice place to live? (outside of a pandemic of course)**

One of the other benefits of the island that no one has mentioned are all of our wonderful parks and playgrounds and some of the hidden gems of the island. Lots of walking paths and hiking trails, some of the trails are quite nice. Great way to spend the afternoon with kids. There are many nice playgrounds that are clean and don't smell of pee, some of which have water features in the summer. We have Snug Harbor, which has beautiful gardens and a nice little cafe in the warm months, not to mention the children's museum. If you're into urban exploration, there's Seaview Farm Colony and the Hospital, and the Vanderbilt Mausoleum. Lots of cool history here, we've got Historic Richmondtown and the Conference House. Chinese food is good, and of course our Italian food, pizza and bakeries. It's really not a bad place to live, it's just gotten so overcrowded. I'm actually looking to move because I just think it's getting too urban.

**What’s the best thing about living on Staten Island, NY?**

I have since left Staten Island and moved to NJ to be with my husband. I spent 25 years in Staten Island and this is what is the best to me.

Walking the boardwalk and viewing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge all lit up.
The Staten Island Ferry (not the process of trying to find parking).
Saint George Theatre: I was a student of Mrs. Rosemary and frequently watched her students dance at their end of year recitals, what she did for that establishment was truly amazing.
The Staten Island children’s museum: Even as an adult I still remember the giant praying mantis that we would climb on. It’s located inside the botanical gardens.
The Botanical Gardens is a sight to be seen, as the Japanese Gardens are stunning.
The Staten Island Zoo- Its a zoo, enough said. Lol
Clove Lakes, The conference house, Fort Wadsworth, The Alice Austin House, Gateway Park ugh, so many beautiful places.
The Travis 4th of July Parade. A family tradition that I miss dearly.
I feel that Staten Island has so much to offer in regards to culture, entertainment, and beauty. We get a bad reputation because of the Staten Island Dump and many other stereotypes from T.V. My husband jokes with me that I’m not a real New Yorker because I’m from Staten Island. I would still argue to this day that we are truly the forgotten borough.

**Living In Staten Island - The Pros and Cons Living In The Forgotten Borough.**

New York City / Staten Island, New York

The Working Girl

Looklyloo Score: 85