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Overview of Staten Island
Where else in New York City can you find deer in your backyard and fish in the streams? Staten Island apartments and rentals bring the benefits of a suburban style life to the metropolitan area. The least populous borough of New York City, Staten Island combines built up North Shore neighborhoods like Clifton with the parks and beaches of Pleasant Plains. You get a unique slice of New York, here. Take the ferry over and get to know Staten Island.
Living on Staten Island
Henry Hudson gave this island its name in 1609. Staaten Eylandt literally means States Island and it honors the Dutch parliament, Staaten-Generaal. The Dutch attempted to establish settlements here, but Native Americans held them off until 1661. A decade later, the Dutch ceded Staten Island to the English, who built up what became New Dorp. It was from this area that British General Howe staged his attack on Manhattan during the Revolutionary War. The English also first caught wind of the Declaration of Independence on Staten Island. In 1898, Staten Island became a borough. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connected it to Brooklyn in 1964, and that brought a residential and commercial development boom. In the 1980s, 65% of Staten Island voted to secede from New York City, but the State Assembly blocked the move.
Staten Island is more removed from the urban heart of New York, but it's still part of the city. The Staten Island Ferry from St. George to Manhattan is free. Many tourists take the trip just to enjoy the view of Liberty and Ellis islands. There's no subway, but the Staten Island Railway operates trains and the MTA has bus service. Many residents commute by car, across what was once the largest suspension bridge in the world, the Verrazano-Narrows.
Work & Study on Staten Island
Because of its ample space, Staten Island serves as a haven for artists, musicians, and filmmakers. The boroughs primary industries are finance, insurance, public administration, construction, transportation, and health care. In terms of education, many students look to the College of Staten Island, part of the City College of New York system. Other options include Wagner College and St John's University, which operates an area campus.
Cost of Living on Staten Island
On Staten Island, a prospective renter can find everything from apartments to freestanding, single-family Victorian homes. Rents are on the reasonable side for metro New York. A two-bedroom apartment here averages $1,155.
Staten Island Attractions & Entertainment
Staten Island's biggest attraction is its extensive parkland. Fresh Kills, once known as landfill, will soon be New York City's largest park. It will offer boardwalks, sports fields, horse trails, and a stadium. The two-mile long F.D.R. Boardwalk on the East Shore is the fourth longest in the world. All told, there are hundreds of acres of green on Staten Island. Historic Richmond Town, in Richmondtown, acts as a living history village. Fort Wadsworth is one of the countries oldest military sites.
Staten Island Special Events
Annual events on Staten Island include the Staten Island Film Festival and the Staten Island Comedy Festival. The Staten Island Yankees play during baseball season. There's also the Staten Island Cricket Club, the oldest continuously operating cricket club in the United States. You can entertain yourself with barbeques, nights out, and hikes along scenic creeks and wetlands-all on Staten Island.
To find your Staten Island apartment or rental, allow Rent.com® to lend a hand. We can help you get happily settled in this southernmost section of New York City.