Staten Island

Homes for sale in Staten Island, New York

When you think of New York, many immediately conjure images of Manhattan, perhaps Times Square, and crowded streets. The name is almost synonymous with fast-paced living, pure adrenaline, and things getting done in a New York minute. 

However, New York isn’t just downtown Manhattan. A few miles south is Staten Island. The island is the third largest borough of New York, but it’s the least populated. It has plenty of beautiful parks and attractions and is a perfect place to raise a family, if you’re a young professional, or to retire in. If you’re thinking of making New York your home but don’t want to be in the middle of the city’s noise and clamor, there are plenty of gorgeous homes for sale In Staten Island, New York. 

Welcome to Staten Island, NY

Staten Island is located in New York Harbor across the Arthur Kill channel, 27 miles south of Manhattan and measures 13.9 miles long and 7.3 miles wide. The island has about 32 miles of coastline and is connected to New Jersey via several bridges and to Brooklyn by the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. 

The island covers a total area of 60.9 square miles, making it the third-largest borough in New York. The island is mostly flat, except for the seven hills that run from St. George in the north to Latourette in the middle of the island. The highest point on the island, Todt Hill, is also the highest point on the Atlantic coast south of Maine, with an altitude of 410 feet above sea level.  

Despite its size, Staten Island is the least populated area in the city, with a 2021 census report putting the population at a little under 500,000. The island is often considered the “forgotten borough” by local residents. Some say this is due to its location, while others claim that it’s because the borough feels more like a suburb than a part of New York City. Either way, the residents seem to be quite happy with being slightly distanced from the noisier neighboring boroughs. 

History of Staten Island

Before the arrival of Dutch colonizers or even the first sighting of the island by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524, Staten Island was occupied by the Raritan and the Unami Indians. 

The island was initially called Staaten Eylandt, to honor the Dutch parliament or the Staten-General of the Dutch Republic. But by 1664, Great Britain acquired considerable tracks of land in the area enabling English and Welsh farmers to establish homes and farms on the island. 

The island played an important role during the American Revolutionary War. Before the British forces arrived in New York, George Washinton was said to have surveyed Staten Island and established a lookout at the Narrows to give American troops advanced warning of the British arrival.

Staten Island is closer to New Jersey than New York, and its location has caused some territorial disputes in the past. Before the island became part of NY territory, New Jersey claimed the island based on the original land grant, which extended to the middle of the Narrows. However, New York claimed jurisdiction over these waters and after 200 years of territorial disputes, both states finally agreed on their borders in 1833.

Interestingly, the island wasn’t called Staten Island until 1975. Before that, people knew the island as the Borough of Richmond.

Staten Island, New York properties for sale

If you’re specifically looking for homes for sale in Staten Island, NY, it’s good to know the median home value has appreciated steadily since 2021. In January 2021, the median price for a home sold in Staten Island was $550,000. By October 2022 this price had risen to $635,000. Staten Island represents a very stable investment that almost guarantees a good return on investment should you look to sell a few years down the line. 

Common residential property types

The most common home type in Staten Island are the single-units or single-family homes, comprising about 62.2% of all housing units on the island. Multi-unit or multi-family homes make up about 37.5% of housing units. Mobile homes, boats, RVs, and vans make up less than 1% of the island’s housing units. Here’s a rundown of the most common residential property types in Staten Island and some of the most common features of these properties:

• Single-family homes

Single-family homes typically consist of a single unit with yard space. As well as providing the most privacy, single-family homes for sale in Staten Island, NY feature multiple bedrooms, a number of full baths and half baths, a basement, and a garage. 

These homes may come with modern features, such as open-concept kitchens, stainless steel appliances, stone countertops, and oversized yards. Some homes may also have additional features such as patios, porches, and balconies, while a waterfront home will give you great views.

• Luxury homes

Staten Island also has a number of luxury homes for sale, most of which are found in the more affluent neighborhoods like Emerson Hill, Lighthouse Hill, and Todt Hill. In fact, Todt Hill is considered the most expensive neighborhood on Staten Island. 

Luxury properties in Staten Island are large, typically having more than 5 bedrooms, full baths, ¾ baths, and ½ baths, as well as multi-car garages and parking spaces. Many of these homes have central air, wood and gas fireplaces, walk-in closets, dressing rooms, and state-of-the-art appliances and even smart home technology. Private pools, spas, outdoor grills, sprinkler systems, intercom systems, and water views are also fairly common in these luxurious homes.

• New construction homes

Staten Island, NY also has many new construction homes for sale. New construction homes can either be single-family homes or condominium-style homes. If you’re interested in single-family new construction homes, they come in all shapes and sizes from 1-bedroom units to 4-bedroom units with 3 baths, one half-bath, and a 2-car garage. Many single-family new-construction homes also have big backyards and are typically built in convenient locations. 

Condominium-style new construction homes also come with similar features as single-family homes, however, they have the benefit of community facilities such as pools, parks, and playgrounds for children.

Investment property types

Investment properties are purchased with the intent of earning a return on investment through rental income or future resale of the property. Investment properties can be a single parcel of land, a part of a building, a multi-unit property, or a commercial property. If you’re interested in purchasing an investment property here are some of the most common commercial properties for sale in Staten Island:

• Multi-unit residential

Multi-unit or multi-family residentials are a housing classification where a single building houses multiple separate housing units for residents. Multi-family residences can be condominiums, townhouses, apartments, dormitories, or similar structures.

Multi-unit residences may be more expensive to purchase, but can be a very lucrative investment, when renting out units to tenants. This added income can often pay for the overall mortgage on the property. However, do be aware that owning a multi-unit residential property and renting units out entails considerations such as tenant management, and maintenance and repair upkeep.  

• Single-family rental homes

You can find many single-family rental homes for sale in Staten Island, NY. The different locations and different features means a good array of options for investors. Whether you want to make a straight out investment with a view to sell within a short period of time, or you’re thinking of buying a second home and renting out at certain times, there’s a property for you in Staten Island. 

• Commercial properties

Commercial properties are purchased or rented out exclusively for business-related purposes. Commercial properties can be office spaces, hotels, resorts, strip malls, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and more.  

Again, if you’re interested in commercial real estate for sale in Staten Island, you have plenty of options. You can find a variety of two-story, mixed-use buildings, residential land, and retail buildings on the island. Before settling on a commercial property, however, take note of the property’s zoning, as this may impact what you can do with the property. Working with a realtor, will help clarify what are your best options for your intended venture. 

Living in Staten Island, NY

Data analysis website Niche.com has ranked Staten Island as one of the Best Places to live in 2022. Staten Island also ranked as one of the Most Diverse Places to Live in America and one of the Best Places for Young Professionals in America. Notably, the public schooling system in Staten Island is considered excellent. 

Economy

Staten Island has a flourishing economy powered by two major sectors: health care and retail trade; however, there are some manufacturing companies, including services and trade-related employment. Major employers in the area are the Staten Island University Hospital and the Richmond University Medical Center. 

The average travel time to work is 41.1 minutes, which is higher than the 31.3-minute average in New York. When you consider that some people in Staten Island commute to other parts of New York for work, this extra 10 minutes doesn’t seem a particularly heavy price to pay when you get to live in a quieter part of New York. 

Schools

There are plenty of great public and private schools serving the borough of Staten Island. Some of the best public schools near Staten Island include Naples Street Elementary School, Ps 5 Huguenot, and Ps 3 Richmond. Private schools in Staten Island include Blessed Sacrament School, Sacred Heart, and St. Joseph By The Sea. 

Getting around in Staten Island

One of the most famous means of transport from Staten Island is the Staten Island Ferry, which docks at the St. George Ferry Terminal on the island. The iconic orange ferry is free for residents and visitors alike. The Ferry is open 24/7 and runs every 20 minutes. Passengers can enjoy beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan. Note that you can’t travel roundtrip on the Ferry, as passengers are required to disembark before getting back for the return journey. Food and beverages are sold on board.

Otherwise there’s access to the island via the motorway bridges connected to Brooklyn and New Jersey. The island also has its own budget-friendly, public transport in the form of rail and bus lines, which visitors can take advantage of to get to the island’s attractions and parks.

Attractions

Staten Island has plenty of parks and attractions where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities, like hiking, walking, and more. Here are some of the best known attractions in Staten Island, NY:

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is a complex of historic buildings and gardens that are affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute. It’s just a short distance from the St. George Ferry Terminal on the north shore of the island and is spread across 83 acres of land. 

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center features the Staten Island Children’s Museum, Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Museum. The center also offers haunted experiences at the Butcher’s Cottage, Matron’s House, and the former Surgeon’s House.

• Chinese Scholar’s Garden

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden is one of the two authentic outdoor Chinese gardens built in the country. The garden’s design is based on 15th-century Ming Dynasty gardens. The materials used to build the garden from the roofs, tiles, columns, and beams were all made in Suzhou, China, and assembled on the island. 

• Staten Island Museum

Established in 1881, the Staten Island Museum is the only remaining general interest museum in New York. The museum focuses on natural sciences and history and features general exhibits, such as the Cabinet of Curiosities, Remember the Mastodon, and the history of the Lenape tribe, one of the first people to have lived on the island. 

• Fort Wadsworth

Located at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge overlooking New York Bay, Fort Wadsworth is the longest-running military fort in the US. The fort guarded New York City for over 200 years and closed in 1994. It was then turned into a 226-acre public park and is part of the Gateway National Recreational Area. Interestingly, The National Park Service, which manages the park, hires grazing goats to clear out the thick weeds and vegetation in the park.

• Staten Island Zoo

Staten Island Zoo is home to over 1,500 animal species and is known as the biggest little zoo. First opened in 1936, the zoo is popular for its Serpentarium, an extensive collection of reptiles, most notably rattlesnakes. 

Explore gorgeous properties with the top real estate agent in Staten Island, NY

Want to find out more about Staten Island and how to find some of the best homes for sale here? Explore the real estate market in Staten Island, New York with the best real estate experts in the area by getting in touch with Casandra Properties, Inc.

Casandra Properties, Inc. started out as a small boutique firm founded by top realtor Casandra Zappala. The firm grew into a full-service real estate company now known for offering exceptional service and representation to its clients. This top firm has completed more than $1 billion dollars of real estate transactions in the last decade alone and continues to be the most experienced and trusted resource when it comes to real estate in Staten Island, New York.

Get in touch with top realtors in Staten Island, NY, and contact the team at Casandra Properties, Inc. at 718.720.0126 or by sending a message here