One of the reasons why many people move to Staten Island is the overall lower cost of living when compared to Manhattan or Brooklyn. In fact, Staten Island is one of the most affordable boroughs of New York City and also one of the safest! This makes it a perfect place for young families or first-time homebuyers who still want to be in NYC but not pay NYC prices.
As with other boroughs, there are certain neighborhoods in Staten Island that are more affordable than others. The list below can help you choose the best area that matches your budget.
Tompkinsville
You can’t get much cheaper waterfront property than in Tompkinsville! On the east side, you have spectacular views of the Upper New York Bay, while on the west you can access Silver Lake Park. Living here, you can almost forget you live in NYC. Sure, it might have more retail stores and eateries than other parts of Staten Island, but you won’t be seeing any skyscrapers or huge apartment buildings. In fact, the area is dominated by single-family homes giving it a distinctly suburban feel.
About 50 percent of the residents are homeowners. If you’re looking for a house to buy, you can expect to pay around $590,000. There are some apartments for rent as well and you will pay around $1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment. You also save money living here as you don’t really need a car to get around unlike many other Staten Island neighborhoods. It’s pedestrian friendly and you have access to the Staten Island Railway at the Tompkinsville station, which is one stop away from St. George where you can catch the free Staten Island ferry.
Port Richmond
Located along the highway that takes you to the Bayonne Bridge, Port Richmond is an up-and-coming neighborhood on the North Shore of Staten Island. As one of the oldest neighborhoods on the island, it’s full of history and landmarks like the Dutch Reformed Church which was built in the early 18th century and Ritz Theater which was built in 1924 .There’s a small downtown area running along Port Richmond Avenue where you have access to super markets, restaurants, and retail stores. The area is very walkable though many residents choose to own a car for commuting purposes. After all, it’s just a quick drive away from the Staten Island Zoo and the Staten Island Botanical Garden as well as the Staten Island Ferry.
It’s an even split between homeowners and renters so you should be able to find a home that matches your needs. If you plan on buying, homes go for around $550,000 while apartments average about $1,750 for a one bedroom. While you don’t have direct access to the Staten Island Railway, there are plenty of local and express bus options that will take you throughout the island.
Graniteville
Located southwest of Port Richmond, Graniteville is a historical neighborhood that, despite being fairly residential, manages to offer plenty of amenities and housing options. This neighborhood got its name from the quarries that extracted granite from the local bedrock. Much of the materials were used in various construction projects on Staten Island and New York City. Nowadays, the quarries are closed, but the name still serves as a historical reminder of the area’s pivotal role in NYC’s past. Of course, this historical information isn’t what makes this a great place to consider. Living in Graniteville means you have easy access to two major highways – the Staten Island Expressway and NYS Route 440. Neighboring the neighborhood is Staten Island Industrial Park, an urban park with 100+ acres of wetlands, rare trees, and plants. Besides all that, you also have some restaurants and shops along Richmond Avenue.
Houses tend to be a bit cheaper here than other locations with the median value hovering around $520,000. Rents are a bit higher at around $1,900 for a one bedroom so if you have some money saved up, it might be worth it to buy instead of rent.
Grymes Hill
While some folks might lump Grymes Hills as part of Silver Lake, its 8,000 residents might say otherwise. This neighborhood is situated on the second highest natural point on Staten Island and thus has views of Lower New York Bay and the Narrows. While it might be a fairly small neighborhood, it offers plenty of amenities including the 3 acre Hero Park and about 11.7 acres of preservation land which includes several hiking trails. Besides that, you also have access to Silver Lake Park if you want even more nature. Getting around Grymes Hill is easy as it is a very walkable neighborhood, but you might want to get a car in case you want to explore other areas of Staten Island.
Grymes Hill is an interesting neighborhood as it is home to very expensive and relatively affordable homes. Along Howard Avenue are some of the most exclusive and expensive homes on Staten Island. Outside of that, though, you can find homes for under $600,000 and one bedroom apartments for around $1,900.
St. George
Located just across the Upper Bay from Brooklyn, St. George is probably the most known neighborhood on Staten Island as it is the port location for the Staten Island Ferry and the beginning of the Staten Island Railway. With so many people commuting from this neighborhood, it’s not surprising that it is more developed than almost every other neighborhood. There are plenty of great restaurants to try out and the Staten Island Mall if you want to do a bit of shopping. It’s also home to several cultural landmarks including the St. George Theatre, which has hosted performances for decades, and the National Lighthouse Museum.
As one of the more developed areas of Staten Island, St. George is a bit more expensive, but not by much. You can easily find a condo for under $600,000 and one-bedroom apartments for under $2,000. Compared to places like Manhattan and Brooklyn, these prices are a steal. And more importantly you have easy access to public transportation so you can easily get to lower Manhattan in just 15 minutes.
Moving to Staten Island
While it might be the least populous borough, Staten Island still has a lot to offer young professionals and families. Of course, there’s the cheaper housing costs, but it’s also the safest borough in NYC and provides great community-driven events so you can get to know your neighbors. Ready to move to Staten Island? Then reach out to NYC Great Movers. We have helped hundreds of customers make the transition.
FAQ
Do I need a car on Staten Island?
It depends on where you live, but the further away you get from the east side of the island, the less options there are for public transportation. Many residents own a car so they can easily travel to work in New Jersey or Manhattan.
Are there jobs on Staten Island?
Yes, there are jobs available on Staten Island but you’ll probably find one easier if you’re in the healthcare industry as that is the largest employer with retail the runner up.
Are there other ways to get to NYC without taking the ferry?
While there are no direct options to Manhattan besides the ferry you can drive over the Verrazano-Narrows bridge to get into Brooklyn. There are three other bridges, but they all take you into New Jersey.
