Staten Island

Staten Island often gets overlooked in conversations about New York City living, and honestly, that’s part of its charm. The so-called “forgotten borough” is anything but forgettable once you actually spend time here. Sitting across the harbor from Lower Manhattan, Staten Island offers a surprisingly suburban feel within the boundaries of the world’s most famous city. If you’re weighing a move to the five boroughs but dreading the idea of cramped apartments and relentless noise, Staten Island deserves a serious look.

A City That Fits Multiple Lifestyles

Staten Island is the most geographically diverse borough in New York City, and that translates into genuinely different neighborhood personalities. St. George, right at the ferry terminal, has become an arts-forward enclave with galleries, restaurants, and a waterfront promenade that delivers jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline. Tottenville, at the island’s southern tip, feels closer to a quiet New Jersey suburb than a New York City neighborhood — in the best possible way. New Dorp offers a walkable main street with locally owned shops and restaurants, while Stapleton has attracted younger residents drawn by its gritty, evolving energy. With a median age of around 38 years old, the borough skews slightly older than other parts of the city, which tends to reflect in the community’s calmer, more family-oriented character. That said, there’s genuine diversity here — culturally and generationally — especially in the North Shore neighborhoods.

Cost of Living and Housing

Here is where Staten Island starts making a compelling case. The median home price sits around $590,000, which sounds significant on its own but becomes genuinely reasonable when you compare it against Brooklyn or Queens, where comparable single-family homes often exceed $800,000 or more. For that price, you’re typically looking at actual houses — with yards, driveways, and garages — not converted basement units. The median household income on Staten Island is approximately $88,000, which comfortably outpaces the city average, meaning residents generally have more purchasing power relative to their local costs. Renters aren’t entirely left out either; two-bedroom apartments in neighborhoods like Westerleigh or Castleton Corners run noticeably cheaper than their Brooklyn equivalents. Property taxes are a real consideration, as they can be steep, so factor that into any homebuying calculation carefully.

Employment and Economy

Staten Island’s population of roughly 495,000 people supports a solid local economy, though many residents do commute into Manhattan for work — the Staten Island Ferry makes that connection free and surprisingly pleasant. Major local employers include Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital, both significant healthcare anchors. The borough also has a meaningful retail and service sector centered around the Staten Island Mall. For remote workers, Staten Island is increasingly attractive; you get more space for your money without sacrificing city access when you actually need it.

Lifestyle and Recreation

Outdoor life here is genuinely exceptional for a New York City borough. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden offers 83 acres of stunning landscape and regular community events. Greenbelt Natural Area provides over 3,000 acres of hiking trails — practically unheard of this close to Midtown Manhattan. The island’s coastline along the South Shore gives residents beach access at places like Midland Beach and South Beach. Add in a thriving restaurant scene along Hylan Boulevard and a growing craft brewery culture, and the lifestyle offerings are richer than the borough’s reputation suggests.

The Bottom Line

Staten Island won’t suit everyone. If you need to be steps from the subway or crave the constant kinetic energy of Manhattan street life, this borough will feel too removed. But if you want space, community, relative affordability, and genuine access to New York City when you want it, Staten Island delivers that balance better than almost anywhere else in the five boroughs. Come with open eyes, and you might just find your perfect New York City neighborhood has been hiding in plain sight across the harbor all along.