Heartland Village - Staten Island, NY

New Springville was originally a rural and wooded community. The construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which was opened in 1964, led to the establishment on Staten Island of many large residential development communities. One of the largest development communities to emerge was the Heartland Village Community. Construction of the Heartland Village Community started in the late 1960s and continued through the early 1980s.

Nestled into the side of Lighthouse Hill, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art remains a uniquely peaceful retreat. The museum presents the art and culture of Tibet and the Himalayas to a world audience in order to educate and inspire others in the value of this significant cultural heritage.

No annual events are held in Heartland Village because of the small size of the area, most of it containing the shopping mall.

Many restaurants in the area can be found on Richmond Avenue, and the neighborhood has an eclectic diversity of cuisine.

Head to Nome Avenue first to Holy Schnitzel, where a brother and sister team serves up kosher American food with a Mediterranean touch. Try one of the many varieties of schnitzel, such as the Kung Fu, which gives an old classic an Asian twist. The menu offers a large selection of vegetarian items as well as wings and burger.

Indulge in French and Scandinavian crepe-making traditions at Crepes du Nord on Richmond Avenue. Cooked to order, your dish tastes farm-to-crepe fresh, since many of the ingredients come from the owner's farm in upstate New York. Choose savory with options such as cheese and mushroom or sweet with Nutella and banana.

A nightlife scene can't be found in Heartland Village, but just outside of the neighborhood on Richmond Avenue sits 1001 Nights Cafe & Lounge. Specializing in hookah at reasonable prices, this clean and cozy spot provides a casual place to sit back and relax.

Above Rooftop lies further out on South Avenue but proves worth the trip. An ultra modern and hip nightclub that has been modeled after clubs in Vegas and Miami, this place has you dancing all night long. Check out the views on the rooftop lounge in the summertime, or book your next private event here any time of the year.

Driving ranks as the most common way of getting around, and with its centralized location, Heartland Village has access to a variety of routes around the island. Drivers can access the Staten Island Expressway just 3 miles away via Richmond Avenue where they can cross the Verrazanno Bridge into Brooklyn. The Bayonne Bridge into New Jersey sits less than 10 minutes away, and the Goethals Bridge lies less than 15 minutes from the neighborhood.

Local and express buses to Manhattan stop along Marsh Avenue and Platinum Avenue. The nearest train stations sit to the south in Eltingville and Great Kills, and the St. George Terminal lies 20 minutes north of the neighborhood.

Free parking can be found in public lots at commercial and retail buildings. Take caution when riding a bike, as Staten Island can be heavily trafficked.

Regardless of where you travel in Staten Island, Heartland Village is never far away from any destination or attraction.

Latourette Park in Heartland Village features miles of walking trails and bike paths, but its own 18-hole golf course with the clubhouse situated within the historic 1870 Latourette mansion steals the show.

The trails remain free for public use. Dogs should be kept on a leash, and owners should clean up after them.

The golf club often holds private and public events, but due to the size and nature of the park, there exist no annual events.

The cost of living in the area sits 12.4 percent lower than the average for New York, and a one-bedroom apartment can be rented for around $1,300 in this desirable neighborhood.

Getting into Manhattan is free on the Staten Island Ferry, and bus fares range from $2.50 to $6 depending on whether you travel locally or express to the city.

Gas prices sit 11.5 percent higher than the national average in New York.

Neighborhood bars have reasonable prices, and a beer costs about $5.

Perhaps Heartland Village's greatest claim to fame is the Staten Island mall, the island's premiere destination for all things retail. Shoppers can find everything they need at the mall, from jewelry and clothing to housewares and restaurants. Most of the stores in the neighborhood are large chain retailers, but in the neighborhood of Chelsea sits Naked Sheep Yarn.

Not only does the Naked Sheep stock every type of yarn imaginable, it has all your craft project supply needs, and a more unique selection or variety can't be found at any other shop. The owner has more than 10 years of experience, so let her find the perfect type of yarn for your project, or offer you instruction in one of the art classes provided there.

For upscale jewelry, head to Richmond Avenue to Gerald Peters Gold Mine. It has been voted Staten Island's Best Jewelry Store among 2014 Readers' Choice Favorites on SILive.com. Serving the area for more than 30 years, Gerald Peters Goldmine has grown to be the premier jeweler for top designer brands in fashion and bridal jewelry on Staten Island. A family owned and operated business, Gerald Peters Goldmine has dedicated its mission to providing its customers with the highest quality and craftsmanship.

Trader Joe's and Stop and Shop act as the two major grocery stores in the area, and on Saturdays in April through November, you can shop the locally grown produce at Decker Farm Farmer's Market on Clarke Avenue.