I didn't know what to expect on an afternoon driving tour but we were pleasantly surprised! What was awesome!? * The random stops along the way to take incredible photos of the Verrazano Bridge and Manhattan skyline were amazing! Everyone should do this if you can! We were the only ones! * The greenery around the borough was beautiful. It's not all developed! * The businesses were almost all local, unique, friendly and welcoming even though I clearly don't have a Staten Island/Italian/New York accent! Life is good when you discover local unique places not on the traditional tourist itinerary! read more

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I love Staten Island. By the way, it's not a tropical island. It was beautiful and so many lookout points of the city. They have a mall on the island too. read more

My connection to Staten Island is remarkable only in one way. My grandparents are buried there, in an old Jewish cemetery now overgrown with flora and difficult to find. An urge to rediscover this plot of sacred land moved me to visit a few years ago. I located it after searching and was moved to tears to see the family name carved into eternal stone overgrown and untended. Other than that, SI has been the place I drive over and through on my way to Brooklyn and Queens. But, with the rediscovery of the gravesite, I have begun to take more interest in the life of this stepsister borough of New York City. It has been an eye opening experience. In truth, this place feels a lot more like New Jersey than New York, with its semi suburban gestalt, too dense neighborhoods and critical parking issues. Yet, there are steep hills, square miles of forests yet to be developed (Thank God), beautiful urban beaches, parks and boardwalk along Lower New York Bay, and a pervasive cultural distinction from the better known boroughs to the north and east. The food scene is exceptional, with excellent Italian restaurants predominating, but plenty of variety from Vietnamese to Southern BBQ, and everything in between. The bakery world is also well represented from bagels to cookies and pastries. Is this the most livable of the city hoods? Unless a millionaire, it certainly appears to be. I have learned that Staten Island deserves your discovery, as it has abundant hidden gems worth your time, effort and enjoyment. My grandparents who came from the old country and rested their weary bones here, knew from what they chose for their lives in freedom. They were and are in very good company on Staten Island. read more

Unfortunately, the care response in private facilities owned by RUMCI needs a lot to be desired. You get a lot of voicemails nobody ever answers the phone nor does anybody call back this is not the first time this week. My husband called every day left a message. Never a return call to respond. This is not the first time like I saidit happens a lot know this happens to others as well and fortunately this Alternatives so obviously we're leaving the facility this week. We have a new PCP what Good is having one if you can't get in touch with them. read more

Filthy, discussing quality of life in a 0, too much traffic. Houses too much money. Disgusting would not live here if you paid my rent.

We love Staten Island!!! It's like living in a bubble shutting out the other crappy boroughs! Staten Island has fantastic restaurants , great shops and really nice mall! There are no palm trees , if you're looking for tropical go elsewhere lol . We love living here! read more

They're back! Starting today the Ferry runs every 15 minutes during peak times of transportation. I have not been to visit in a while. With it being so hot and humid I don't think I'll be going to visit any time soon. Staten Island is hard for me to describe. It's not like being in NYC. You really need to own a car. I enjoy the change of scenery and especially the ferry ride. You can view Manhattan from a different perspective! read more

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Reliably Republican and defiantly middle class Staten Island dances to its own tune in NYC's orbit. This obstinacy and remote location is largely responsible for their second-class status and relegation to near obscurity by Manhattan's affected worldliness and Brooklyn's gentrified poseurs and hipster wannabes. Native restlessness runs deep here as, much to the chagrin of most Staten Islanders, their work ethic delivers far more to the coffers of City government than they ever receive back in services or infrastructure improvement. Public transportation is a joke and tolls onto or off the island require a second mortgage. And, that cracking sound you hear are your ball joints imploding on the Staten Island Expressway - a cruel joke based on speed and condition. Over the years there has been frequent talk of secession from NYC with nothing more than saber rattling as a result. Too bad, the borough deserves more than being a reliable ATM for the tax and spend robber barons across the harbor in Gotham City. However, it's 2020 and change is in the air, so you never know. Over time, complacency tends to be punished. Stay tuned. read more

Having lived on Staten Island for many years and currently maintaining an office on Staten Island I am able to review and discuss Staten Island with the best of them. I have done the typical Brooklyn to Staten Island to NJ moves as have many of my NJ brethren. We all know Staten Island as the forgotten boro of NYC. Very little available in terms of public transportation, shopping and serviceable roads. Staten Islanders are held hostage by the fact that it is an island, no subway connection to the rest of the city and outside of the pittance that is the bus service offered to Manhattan or Brooklyn and the Ferry there is no alternative to a high cost Bridge to Brooklyn or NJ. Traffic on Staten Island has become ridiculous, the Staten Island expressway is in a constant state of bumper to bumper traffic. Local roads including Hylan blvd, Richmond Ave and Victory blvd weren't built to handle the traffic that has continued to grow on Staten Island over the past 25 years. Real estate prices in comparison to the rest of the city is relatively low. Unfortunately because the public transportation access is so poor literally every person above the age of 17 has at least one car. Shopping on Staten Island is limited to Richmond Avenue which includes the Staten Island Mall, Costco and Target. Costco on a Saturday is an all day affair. Staten Island receives very little support from the Mayors office and zero if anything from the Governors office. Staten Island historically always votes republican while the rest of the city votes democratic which possibly explains the lack of support. Chicken or the egg? There are a handful of fantastic restaurants, bars and live entertainment venues including the best pizzeria in the country in my opinion "Deninos " The Yankees have a minor league team headquartered at their Stadium in Saint George which is on the North Shore of the Island. The stadium is beautiful and offers wonderful views of Manhattan. There is a new shopping and residential renaissance going on in the area, I am anxious to see the results. More to come read more

salon illusion Manor Rd SI NY Samantha and Josephine treated my mom and myself wonderful !! We will be definitely going back as regulars. My mom is 78 they made her look 20 years younger with just a collar and a cut!!I was more excited for her to finally find a place in our neighborhood that could make her feel beautiful and treat her like a lady! While talking to Samantha who did my hair turned out we graduated H.S. together lol small world !!!! Love love this Salon . Thank You Salon Illusion so very much . Debbie Curran and Marie Ennis read more

Was nice when I moved here in 1970 and since then it's deteriorating at a fast rate. Cost of living and building condos at every turn has made going a few blocks a timely endeavor. Roads are 1 lane and can't handle the traffic so get ready to go no where fast. Especially if your caught driving around 2pm. Barely any kids take the school bus as parents pamper them with door to door service . Making traveling at this time almost impossible . This is why most smart ones are leaving for a better place. Mine is already in the works. read more

Yeah Staten Island could get five stars is it didn't take so long to get to nightlife in manhattan from where I live but truth is i do love my neighborhood at 10302. It's the boarders of westerleigh and port Richmond, just off of commercial forest ave. I have so many buses coming through here I could easily hop on an express bus directly to manhattan (45 min away) or take the cheapest route which is bus to ferry then train to anywhere else after that with a free transfer! Back to my neighborhood now. This area offers a lot and I can walk to everything. I don't has a car so I get to be that city girl I've always been (from Park Slope baby!) and just walk everywhere or hop on a quick bus ride to the mall. I'm in prime location with dog friendly neighbors and a nice mix of cultures and foods, including family friendly bars, banks, fastfold, gyms and way more! read more

It's really a borough not a city but oh well. Staten Island is like the forgotten boro. Manhatten, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx get most of the attention. I usually only come to SI when I'm traveling thru or to visit friends. It seems very suburby, more so than Queens or Brooklyn. If your driving going thru the Verrazano Bridge is the only way to get there. There's also a ferry that comes from Manhattan but I have never taken it. read more

Staten Island is a world of its own. I love the beautiful Italian section that's here and the homes and harbors in the summer. I hate that the Verrazano bridge has now raised its tolls once again and major construction going on on the freeway in Staten Island. beautiful homes & good people and great malls to shop in. If you really wanted to you would never have to leave the island to go anywhere. I'm bummed that parts of Staten Island have changed and there are low income section 8 housing. read more

Born and raised on my beautiful Island. Restaurants galore! I am very glad to see those reviews below mine and their narrow-minded opinions. This way Staten Island remains in tact for those of us that truly LOVE our heritage. Thank you to all the Haters! read more

Staten Island, it turns out, invented the Hospital Emergency Room. Which is why every time a Doctor or Nurse says "I need an IV Unit. Stat." What they actually mean is, "Stat-en Island is the wonderful borough that made all of this quick-response medicine and surgery possible." That's actually what Stat stands for. If you don't believe me, just ask my brother. He looks exactly like me and has the same name. What say you, bro? Fox Twin: "It's true. Stat is for Staten Island." So there you have it. Unequivocal irrefutable undeniable irrepressible hard evidence, with the emphasis on hard, because Staten Island residents tend to want, need, and demand it to always be hard. Staten Island is the borough I know least about. I've checked out its beaches once or twice... I've driven over all three of its famous (and muy expensivo) bridges too many times to count. The Verrazano-Narrows is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, and possibly even in the whole country. Maybe even one of the most beautiful in all of NYC, now that I think about it. Wait a minute... er... but yes. Staten Island, known affectionately to malicious mobsters and maniacal marsupials as "SI." I've been lost in its leafy suburbs on occasion. I've seen the YouTube video of the guy getting choked to death by cops on Staten Island. Horrific. And yet despite all of this intimate knowledge of the Island, there is one piece of information about SI that stands out above all other factoids. And that is: Nadia Z lives here. Nadia is the only reason I Yelp. One good friend, two CMs, three turtle doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree had all encouraged me to "write more", "attend events", "become Elite", "download the app" and "strip naked on webcam", but I had never done any of those things... until I came across Nadia. So to speak. She taught me the ins and outs of Yelp. So to speak. She persuaded me in her dangerous Russian accent (via typing, and yes you can type in a Russian accent. Da, you can) to get the App, become Elite, and check in every time I cross a bridge or enter a neighborhood or my own house for that matter. Actually she's the one who told me to stop checking in to my own house for fear of stalkers. Oops. Too late. There they are, all camped outside my window. At least some of them are cute. So thank you Nadia, for giving me the gift of Yelp. The gift that keeps on giving. I heard that your KGB codename is "Double 0 Heaven." It makes perfect sense. It would be impossible not to give a 5-star rating to the home of the great and legendary Nadia. Hence, despite my unfamiliarity with SI, it scores 5, as do the other four boroughs as well. Remember, in the words of the legendary KGB agent herself: (a) Yelp is not a dating site. (b) If you think it is, that is a filament of your imagination. (c) Paging _ _ _ _ _ _ (fill in blank with NYC Yelper of your choice). And all of you who have met Gronks in the Bronx, been Broke in Brooklyn, eaten like Kings in Queens, and checked out the Boys of Man-Hattan, it's time to expand your boroughrizons. You should do what Las Vegas and Miami (and New Orleans? and Los Angeles?) have done. You should "CSI." read more

Most speak good English and I love seeing so many American flags - beautiful parks and hiking trails.

I need a happy medium.... I like to be lazy but I also like going out and doing things! OK... so this is a much needed updated review...just because i think Staten island deserved a better review from what i have given before...i do take this area for granted...well not anymore.... now that i have been living here for almost six years...plus iv been to other awful places....makes me really appreciate staten island even more! My yelp friends... Staten Island is one of the five boroughs that make up the City of New York! It is located in the southwest part of the city and it separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull... and from the rest of New York City by the New York Harbor. Even though Staten Island is closer to the New Jersey mainland than anywhere else in New York...Staten Island is in New York!!!The original charter when NJ and NY were both colonies stated that the islands in New York Harbor were in New York and the water is in New Jersey... when you are traveling by car to other boroughs... Going back...you pay the toll on the Verrazanno-Narrows Bridge (leaving Brooklyn)...but not the toll on the Bayonne Bridge (leaving Staten Island) Staten Island is mostly famous for the Staten Island Ferry...which crosses the Harbor to and from Manhattan in about 30 minutes!!! read more

Staten Island oh Staten Island. I mean what is there to say? You're probably the safest of all five Boroughs to be in at all times. Rent is cheaper and the houses are affordable compared to that of Brooklyn. There's a lot of greenery that you probably wouldn't find anywhere else with woods you could get lost in for days. You boast good schools and foster a great family atmosphere. Sadly you're becoming overcrowded with the average household parking 3 cars on its streets. Traffic is always terrible as its roads weren't designed to hold the traffic that it currently does. Let us not forget the condition of these said roads. You are the home to a huge Italian American enclave and have created the "Staten Island girl" that fits perfect with the "Staten Island guido" and will eventually have a child named Bella. It's a nice place right now because the hipsters haven't found this place yet but give it another 10 years and this island will be much different. read more

Who is this cool person who added Staten Island as a place worth.can be reviewed lmao What can I tell you. I used to live here. It changed a lot. And the best part of it is the bridge. Yes, even after 29 years, it is still amazing. Now the lake. If you dont know which lake, check out this link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-lake-park-staten-islandhttps://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-lake-park-staten-island. This is my next 4 reviews place. Anyway, SI, stay the way you are. Just lower prices on the bridge... read more

Staten Iand has its pros and cons for sure. Its a great place to raise your kids with better schools than the surrounding boroughs. A great place to find some nature and solice in the vast parks here. There are some terrific restaraunts and a very interesting artistic community. There is almost always parking at your grocery stores and such. Four stars because the commute to Manhattan is so very terrible and the transit system is extremely limited and unstable. read more

Came here on a Monday. Everything closed. 2/5 Update: found a dope chinese garden close to the Staten Island museum which made my visit not a complete wash. Cool spot for photography! Still a two star borough though. read more

A land mass on which some buildings housing a number of businesses upon which homes have been placed. This is one of the boroughs of New York City. Worth a visit. ( Move here? ugh ...give it some thought first) The vibe is semi-suburban. North shore is decaying and south shore is too Republican... read more

Staten island is a very nice community it is small which is what makes it the best it is really nice

Not a fan of the island. Yes, it's technically part of NYC, but it's a whole different vibe than any of the other boroughs. Doesn't seem worth the trip (unless you go on the free ferry, which gives a great view of the city). read more

Whenever I had to go to Long Island for various reasons, whether it was for picking up and dropping off family members at JFK or visiting some over there, I always ended up driving on the S.I.E. without any intention of getting off somewhere on this island. But recently, because there were two places that I wanted to experience, I just had to come here. The places where I wanted to visit were okay-to-nice (look for my reviews in regards to the gardens). The waterfront here was good to look at in the downtown area. I had to drive through some nice (okay, really nice!), and not-so-nice areas in order to get to where I wanted to be at. My biggest gripe, however, was the traffic and road conditions. A lot of the roads that I went on were quite narrow. If that wasn't enough, some of them had potholes that I had to dodge. But what really caught my attention was the aggressive driving that was existent on some of the roads that I drove on. A portion of the roads that I drove on had steep curves on them. I know that whenever there's a steep curve, you had to slow down and turn your wheel in order to drive through. Well, that's what I did (as always), but the same couldn't be said for some of the other drivers. Some of them even came close to hitting my car (which was new condition) as a result of the aggressive driving. That was shocking and hazardous. I couldn't believe those drivers didn't slow down at those curves. If you turn fast at the curves, you would lose control and hit somebody. Even on a curvy road that was really narrow! Finally, in regards to the traffic in general. If there are no traffic jams, then obviously it's okay. But if there are, then you may be in for a long, sluggish ride. I didn't run into any traffic jams on the streets that I utilized in SI for the gardens and waterfront, but the same couldn't be said for the S.I.E. in the direction towards NJ. As soon as I got on the Expressway, I drove right into the traffic jam, and took me a while just to get to Goethals Bridge. Well, at least I can finally say that I visited Staten Island, instead of simply just driving through without any intention of stopping here! read more

My 100th. Ya all know I HAD to write it. It called the forgotten borough. It may not be as glamorous as Manhattan, or as hip as Brooklyn, or as multicultural as Queens, or as tough as Bronx - fifth borough still stands it's own. If you never been or not willing to know it, you are missing out. Don't dismiss something you never tried, or just saw on TV. There are places to see and memories to be made here. To discover. To explore. To enjoy. They say home is where your heart is. It is not a house or belongings. It's a feeling right there, in your heart and soul. There are couple places in the world I call home. Place where I was born, which does not exist as it once was; place where I grew up, now overtaken by wild woods; ol' good Brooklyn - is always in my heart; and last but not least - Staten Island, Richmond County, New York. Home, for over 15 years now. More than twice the size of Manhattan and a bit bigger than Bronx, Staten Island population is still lowest in the city, only under half million people. It is the greenest borough, with Greenbelt growing larger every year and new parks opening up. You can find clean sandy beaches, hiking trails, lakes, tennis courts and golf courses all around island. But enough facts, I better share why do I like Staten Island so much and hopefully inspire you to explore it: I can never get tired of driving over Verrazano Bridge and getting blown away by the grandiosity of it's construction. Absolutely have to stop by Fort Wadsworth to appreciate more views of the bridge and panoramic views of NYC and even Jersey. I adore our beaches, boardwalk and marinas any time of the year, views of majestic ocean, fine sand under your feet, ships passing by and waves hitting the shore... The countless parks and hiking trails, barbecue pits, play areas - always something to explore. History behind it all, arts, museums and theatre, from Historic Richmondtown to Snug Harbor, from Alice Austin museum to St. George. Of course, our hard-working Staten Island Ferry, going back and forth over 5 miles of water between city and the island, for almost 200 years. Offering best views of Statue of Liberty, free of charge. I always have fun at our summer festivals, with fireworks almost every week, random music and street snacks. Relax and reflect on quiet summer nights with fireflies dancing over the garden. I love small restaurants and pubs around the Island with delicious food and smashing drinks. Best Italian bakeries in whole city. Best cannoli, too. Places that rock: Adobe Blues and Joe's Lobster House, Beso and Blue, Piece A Cake and Cookie Jar, Fushimi and Fuji, and many more... But you know what I like the most? Our Staten Islanders. Standing together at worst times, or the best. Caring, strong, hard working. That's a community spirit I've seen. Proud of it. If you decide to come and see it, here is my list of "must" places: http://www.yelp.com/list/must-see-eat-and-love-in-forgotten-borough-staten-island I am uploading photo collage of my favorite places - yes, believe it, that is SI. Transportation note: If you only exploring St. George/Bay Street area, city buses are good; if you are planning to go further, buses helluva slow. I would suggest either call local car services from the ferry (they inexpensive and reliable), or get a zipcar. Staten Island Railway also runs from St. George to Tottenville, so that is an alternative transportation as well. Yo, you still reading this? Get on da Ferry!!! read more

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SI is an awesome place to live. it has everything you could want and more. great shopping & places to eat. forget Manhattan, the real Island is Staten Island. great people live there read more

Great place to live and raise a families. Most public schools on the mid island and south shore are better than most private schools in the other boros. Trees outnumber people by over 3:1 read more

First off a few dates. Staten Island was founded on August 20th 1661. It became a borough of NYC in 1898. Some notables that lived or were born here. 1. Alice Austen - pioneering female photographer. 2. George M Cohan - patriotic composer 3. Ralph Waldo Emerson - Author 4. "Buffalo Bill" Cody - Wild West entertainer 5. Gene Simmons - Bass Player of KISS he went to HS on Staten Island. I remember when the only things to do as a kid was go to the mall or the ice skating rink at Clove Lakes. Fourth of July was always special, we would go to South Beach to watch the fireworks and then go to A & W for a treat. My how the island has grown. With all the museums and attractions. Even the old ferry terminal has gotten a much needed face lift. I will admit, I do take it personally when people knock this place. If you don't like it, then just move. This is coming from a born and raised native. On a personal note, no matter where I live this place will always be "Home Sweet Home". read more

I've lived on Staten Island my whole life. Whoever says they cannot find something to do obviously isn't trying. The North and South shore has so many places to go out, depending on your tastes. The restaurants are excellent, especially by the Ferry and now on Page Ave. Forest Avenue isn't the only place for bars. More and more hotels are being built on Staten Island because people like to come here, raise a family, and visit. You can take the express bus or ferry to get to the city or regular city buses to get into BK. Or... DRIVE around. Everything is accessible. There are beautiful areas such as Snug Harbor, the Alice Austin or Conference house, or the parks. We are the "Borough of Parks". Don't believe the Jersey Shore hype. Staten Island is a great place to live, meet great people and have a great time. read more

A place that gets an unnecessarily bad rap out of pure ignorance. This is an ideal place to raise a family, belong to a community, and live a fulfilling life. Some of the highest quality people I've ever met come from the fifth borough. A great deal of potential lies in a place overshadowed by places like Brooklyn and Manhattan (not that they aren't awesome places). The parks are seemingly endless. The biggest complaint of 'there's nothing to do' is one that is easily remedied if you are ok with leaving you suburban block in Great Kills. The north shore us a great and eclectic mix of hang out spots with about 3/4 to 1/2 the price tag of nearby boroughs. read more

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I am reading the reviews here and wonder what pele base their reviews on. It is a place, some will say too far from the city, some will say too close. But they offer great things that the city don't: cheaper things :maybe even cheaper everything). Less traffic (if we leave the verrazano bridge) and authentic Mexican food. I hate the fact that you need to pay 15$ just to get here, but I guess this is the way of NYC to tell you: pay here for what you will save after ;) read more

It was a nice place when I moved here (80's) now it's overcrowded with antiquated roadways. Apartment rents are expensive, and house prices are insane. There are some really nice neighborhoods, unfortunately not all neighbors are friendly. Getting to Manhattan for work is a nightmare in the morning, the Verrazano bridge toll is ridiculous for non residents. If you want to leave the Island by car you have to cross one of 4 bridges and incur a toll on the way back. read more

Not much to do here, although there are some views of Manhattan that are nice. I took the free ferry to Staten Island, but honestly I shouldn't have. The boat ride was probably better than the actual island (although I didn't venture very far). If you're short on time, definitely skip it. read more

Grew up here and live here for the most of my life. We are very fortunate to be on an island that is one of the safest areas within the five Boros. Don't know how many times I forgotten to lock my front door car door and garage door closed. We are also fortunate to have a great sanitation dept especially for when it snows. Salt comes plow comes and everything gets cleared quickly. Everything is within close proximity and anything you need is always within 5 minutes away especially amazing food!!! read more

People move here willingly? I understand the desire to stay somewhere with a tight-knot community, with free & scenic transportation to Manhattan, with reasonably priced housing, with the ability to say you live in the five boroughs, but I just don't see the appeal, after driving through countless times and exploring most of SI on foot (which rarely happens). read more

Staten Island - the Greenstreets are just as pathetic here - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Staten Island is a wonderful place to enjoy. There are more acres of parklands than any other borough in New York City. Lots of museums, shopping, movie theaters, and restaurants to enjoy. Good bar scene, and easier parking compared to Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Queens. Beaches are clean and uncrowded. Clay Pit Ponds is as far from the city noise as you'll get without driving away from the city. The Staten Island Ferry is the best way to get those wonderful photos of the city skyline as well as the Statue Of Liberty. The Chinese Scholar's Garden, located in the Botanical Gardens, is magnificent. Truly another world. read more

Love this borough!! City living with a suburban feeling. 20 minute ride on the ferry to Manhattan so it's convenient. Staten Island is flourishing with new establishments opening everywhere. The new outlet mall is amazing as well as the new additions to the existing SI mall with the AMC Dine-In theater and Dave & Busters. Staten Island is becoming my favorite part of NYC! read more

nj is staten island's dirty cousin i love staten island just stay away from the black limousine parked on hylan boulevard it has a funny sound coming from inside the limousine #ayaknation read more