Staten Island, NY

After a brief period of settlement by Dutch colonists, Staten Island came under British control in the 1660s. During the American Revolution, Staten Island served as a staging ground for the British invasion of New York City and remaining under British control until the war ended. The island consisted of numerous small towns until 1898, when Staten Island consolidated with New York City. Beautifully preserved architecture from the island’s past can still be seen in the St. George and St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic Districts.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is located in Rosebank, and was at one time the home of Antonio Meucci, an inventor who developed an early version of the telephone. Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was instrumental in the unification of Italy, lived here for almost two years. The home contains items that were significant for both famous men, including a prototype of the telephone.

Staten Island is famous for its pizza (locals will tell you it’s the water), but that’s just the start of the borough’s terrific food scene. The borough is a hidden gem, food-wise, providing amazing delis, fantastic bakeries, and cuisine from around the world. However, all that variety and great food comes at a high price. The cost of living, while lower than other NYC locales, is still high. You can expect to pay about 30 percent more for groceries, and even though the ferry is free, transportation costs are also higher.

Because Staten Island is an island, there are certain points of access for roads, bridges, and buses that you must use to reach off-island points in New York or New Jersey.

The Staten Island Ferry serves St. George’s terminal around the clock, and the Staten Island Train runs from Tottenville in the south to Georges Terminal and the ferry connection in the north.

The Verrazano–Narrows Bridge is a double level bridge that connects the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn. Goethals Bridge connects Staten Island to Newark, NJ. Bayonne Bridge connects Staten Island to Bayonne, NJ. Outerbridge connects Staten Island to Edison, NJ.

Because of the high cost of parking in Manhattan, many commuters opt to take advantage of the abundant public transportation options.

As the most sparsely-populated borough in New York, Staten Island is home to an extensive network of public parks and greenspaces. The enormous Latourette Park at the center of the island is a lush reservation full of trails and footpaths. Countless other parks of every size are spread throughout the community, ensuring that everyone has access to the tranquility of nature within just a few blocks.

Renters living in Staten Island pay an average of $1,640/month to rent an apartment, compared to the New York state average of $3,675. City dwellers exploring houses for rent in Staten Island can expect to pay around $2,300/month. For those looking to buy, the average house is valued at $650,000, compared to the state average of $405,327.

Staten Island Mall is located at the center of Staten Island, and the Empire Outlets are located near the Staten Island Ferry. Groceries tend to be expensive throughout the city, and Staten Island is no different. However, there are a variety of markets and specialty shops to explore, so look around for the deals once you move to your Staten Island rental.

St. George Historic District, St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island Ferry, Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island Zoo, Fort Wadsworth, Silver Lake park, Postcards 9/11 Memorial, St. George Theatre, FDR Boardwalk