Introduction to Staten Island, NY
Staten Island is the least crowded of New York City’s five boroughs: mostly detached and semi-detached houses, a lot of parkland, and a free ferry to Manhattan.
Here is a plain read on the trade-offs if you are thinking of moving to Staten Island: what costs less, what takes longer, and what the housing looks like across the island.
Pros of Living on Staten Island
Affordable Housing Compared to Other NYC Boroughs
The biggest reason people move to Staten Island is that buying a home in this borough costs less. You can purchase an entire house in this borough for the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Over the 12 months to August 2026, the median Staten Island home (one to three family) sold for $755,000, across 3,136 sales recorded by the NYC Department of Finance. By ZIP code the median ran from $585,000 in 10303 to $997,000 in 10307.
The full table is on our page of Staten Island home prices by ZIP code, and current listings are on Staten Island homes for sale.
Abundant Green Spaces and Parks
Called the Borough of Parks, Staten Island is a great place to keep a healthy lifestyle, having a total of 170 parks that offer plenty of opportunities to stay active and enjoy the outdoors.
The largest park in Staten Island is Freshkills Park, a 2,200-acre expanse built on a former landfill, Fresh Kills Landfill. It is the largest park developed in New York City in over a century.
Fresh Kills Park is still in development, but some parts are already open to the public. Yearly tours are held in the summer to experience the park while the process of site transformation goes forward.
Access to Scenic Waterfront Views and Beaches
Staten Island is home to several beaches, including South Beach and Midland Beach.
At South Beach, beachgoers can sunbathe while taking in a lovely view of the Verrazzano Bridge, bike through a scenic trail, jog along the boardwalk, kayak, play tennis, or fish off of the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier.
Midland Beach shares the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk with its neighbor, South Beach. This is an excellent spot if you prefer a less crowded beach. Amenities include a playground and courts for tennis and shuffleball, as well as a sea turtle fountain.
Houses, Yards and City Services
Staten Island, NY, offers the savings and convenience of a suburban lifestyle while still being reasonably close to the action of Manhattan.
Staten Island has more driveways, yards and detached houses than the other boroughs, and it is still New York City: city services, city taxes and a ferry ride to Lower Manhattan.
Convenient Transportation to Manhattan (Staten Island Ferry)
The Staten Island Ferry is free public transportation accessible for locals and visitors that offers a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline while passing by Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. You can also see views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
The Staten Island Ferry never stops, literally, having a 24-hour schedule. It takes trips every half hour and every 20 minutes during rush hour. The ferry has a capacity of around 5,000 people, and has a total of 70,000 passengers a day, on average.
Room to Spread Out
Staten Island is the least densely populated of the five boroughs. Most of its housing is detached or semi-detached rather than apartment blocks.
This borough is home to various cultural attractions, including the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden and the Staten Island Zoo.
Cons of Living on Staten Island
Limited Public Transportation Options
One of the things that anyone who lives in Staten Island complains about is there’s not enough public transportation, so residents mostly depend on their own vehicles to get around.
Staten Island has one main train line, the Staten Island Railway, which runs from Tottenville to St. George. If you live near any of the local train stops it is a convenient way to get to the Staten Island Ferry.
For those who live in areas where the train does not pass, the only option of public transportation is the local and express buses.
Traffic Congestion on Bridges and Roadways
Although Staten Island is not as densely populated as other parts of New York City, it still experiences significant traffic congestion.
This is particularly due to the limited access points to the borough and the heavy use of the Staten Island Expressway. This thoroughfare can become heavily congested during peak hours.
Higher Dependence on Cars and Personal Vehicles
Unlike the other boroughs, there are no subways that run in Staten Island. Instead, people must take the ferry to Manhattan or drive over the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge to Brooklyn to use the subways.
There are buses and the Staten Island Railway, but most people living here own their cars to get around.
Three Neighborhoods and Their Housing
St. George
Located on the North Shore of the island, St. George is home to older, classically styled residences designed in the Greek Revival Style, Second Empire Style, and Victorians.
Some homes have water views, and the waterfront esplanade is close by. The neighborhood also offers multi-family properties, two-family homes, co-ops, and condominiums.
Todt Hill
Todt Hill is the highest point on Staten Island, and its housing is mostly large detached houses on big lots.
Situated on one of the highest natural points on the Eastern Seaboard, Todt Hill residents have spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscapes, including the Atlantic Ocean, the New York City skyline, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Great Kills
Great Kills sits on the South Shore around Great Kills Harbor.
Great Kills has a marina on the harbour, a large waterfront park, and its own stop on the Staten Island Railway.
Thinking About a Move?
If a move here is on the table, what buying on Staten Island involves covers the process from the first showing through to closing.
If you are ready to look at your options, contact us:
- Simon Umanoff
- 718-873-6144
- [email protected]
- Frank Bergen
- 347-567-7153
- [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What colleges are on Staten Island?
Staten Island has two colleges, Wagner College and the College of Staten Island, which is part of CUNY.
What public transportation options are available on Staten Island?
Public transportation options in Staten Island include the Staten Island Ferry, the Staten Island Railway, and bus routes.
What are some of the best parks to visit on Staten Island?
Some of the best parks in Staten Island are Freshkills Park, Ocean Breeze Park, and Snug Harbor.
Staten Island by the numbers
What homes actually sold for, from the city's sales records.
Moving off the island, or moving within it?
Either way it starts with knowing what your current place would sell for. Send us the address and we will go through it with you.
Find out what your home is worth
