Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York and is divided into three main areas, the North Shore, Mid-Island, and the South Shore. Similarly to the North Shore it is a very diverse area, culturally yet also realty wise too. With over twenty neighborhoods in the area, you are sure to fall in love with at least one aspect of Staten Islands Mid-Island.

Arrochar

In the shadows of the Verazano Bridge, Arrochar is located in the northeastern area of Staten Island, east of Hylan Boulevard, with South Beach, Fort Wadsworth, Concord, Old Town, and Dongan Hills surrounding it.

Prior to the European immigration to North America, Staten Island was home to the Lenape Native American tribe. Then once Europeans began to flood in, it wasn't until decades later, in 1840 where Arrochar received its name from one of the first Scottish settlers William Wallace MacFarland. He named his estate Arrochar because of the town where he grew up in Scotland was also called Arrochar. MacFarlands actual estate is now home to St. Joseph Hill Academy, an all girls catholic school.

Today the area is culturally diverse with plenty of amenities to enjoy. The modestly sized neighborhood is packed with restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and everything a resident could ever want. Just having the breathtaking view of the Verrazano Bridge is astonishing.

Arrochar is loved by commuters. Although the SIRR train station was removed in 1953, there are still many modes of public transportation. Since it is so close to the Verrazanno Bridge, it is served by a plethera of buses and express busses such as the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X7, X8, X10, X14, S51, S52, S53, S78, S79, S81, and S93.

Bulls Head

Settled in the Heartland of our beloved Staten Island, Bulls Head is a neighborhood directly connected to the Staten Island Expressway allows for the most mobile person to travel to and from wherever they please. Bordered by Granitesville, Westerleigh, Manor Heights, and New Springville, and packed with a variety of residences, the area is suitable for any home buyer or apartment renter.

Buls Head was initially a farming community and one of the main agricultural centers as well as Willowbrook and Granitesville. However, once the construction of the Verrazano Bridge took place in the 1960, the area became more densely populated, it urbanized throughout the years. Today it is the neighborhood we've all grown to love especially with the shopping, restaurants, and many more services in this area.

Bulls Head is served by the S44, S59, S62, S89, S92, S94 local buses and the X10, X11, X17 express buses. The St. George Ferry terminal is also a mere fifteen minutes away. If you love living in a small town with the convenience of commuting, Bulls Head is most definitely the place for you.

Dongan Hills

Dongan Hills is spilt into three sections, below Hylan Boulevard, above Hylan Boulevard, and the Dongan Hills Colony on the eastern shore of Staten Island. The neighborhood was originally split into two neighborhoods called Hillside and Linden Park. Dongan hills in general used to be known as Garretson's and was soon changed after to Dongan Hills to dsmiss the confusion with Garrison by the Hudson River. It was renamed after Thomas Dongan who was a governor of New York at one point in time.This portion of the neighborhood is called, the Dongan Hills Colony. "The Colony" is located above Richmond Road and borders the neighborhood of Todt Hill. Dongan hills was one of the first neighborhoods that emerged on State Island that experienced major industrialization after WWII. In the 1950s or so, many one family hoes were built as well as public housing projects. The population grew especially as the Verrazano Bridge was in construction opened in 1964.

Dongan Hills Colony is adjacent to neighborhoods such as Todt Hill, Emerson HIll, Grymes Hill and Sunset Hill. The area is filled with one family homes and luxurious estates. It is well sought after with its Mediterranean-styled estates as well as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk nearby, the perfect place to jog, walk, and take in the fresh ocean air.

Dongan Hills above Hylan Boulevard is situated above Hylan Boulevard and right below Richmond Road just as the name implies. It is known for its homes ranging from luxury to more affordable. Like the rest of Dongan Hills, it is very easy to commute from here due to its close proximity to places such as Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Dongan Hills Below Hylan Boulevard is right near Midland Beach and is known for its one story ranches as well as its brick homes. It is perfect for wanting to live close to the bustling city of Manhattan but wanting to keep in touch with the calmer suburbs.

In the heart of Dongan Hills, located between Mason and Buel Avenue the Dongan Hills Playground is a historic playground. It was known by three names since its opening in 1968. It was first called P.S. 52 Playground, due to the nearby school.In 1986, Commissioner Stern renamed the property Mason Playground for nearby Mason Avenue, and eleven years later, in the summer of 1997, he renamed it for Dongan Playground for Dongan Hills. Over the many years, it has had hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations to maintain its pristine condition and the safety for children.

Dongan Hills is served by the S74, S76, S78, S79, S84, S86, X1, X2, X3, X9, and X15 buses. These buses bring you all across the island and the express buses bring you directly to Manhattan.

Emerson Hill

The semi gated neighborhood of Emerson Hills is one of Staten Islands most sought after neighborhoods. With lush rolling hills, luxurious homes, and immaculate views Emerson Hills is like a secret oasis on the lovely Staten Island and is one of the most sought after neighborhoods.

Emerson Hill was named after one of its most prominent residents, William Emerson and his family. William was a judge and his brother Ralph Waldo was a writer and poet during the early twentieth century. The two brothers,who originated from Massechusetts, would always come to this area due to the beautiful landscape as well as the breath taking views. The neighborhood continued to grow and lure in more residents with its elegant and unparalleled views of the New York Harbor.

The neighborhood is bordered by the equally prestigious neighborhood Todt Hill as well as Grymes Hill, Grasmere, and the Staten Island Expressway. In 1971, two Tudor homes were used in the famous movie The Godfather due to the perfect elevation, location, and posh view of the New York Bay Harbor. Although there are no parks to Emerson Hills name, there are plenty of parks located in its sister neighborhood Todt Hill.

Emerson Valley

Set at the base of Emerson Hill, the upscale neighborhood is filled with more affordable homes as well as modern pieces of property. Since it is much closer to areas such as Grasmere, Oldtown and Dongan Hills, the transportation here is much more convenient while maintaining the seclusion of a more private neighborhoood. In this area there are more contemporary Ranch-style houses, brick cottages, split-levels, and townhouses.

In spite of its relative seclusion, Emerson Valley, like most of Staten Island, is never too far from all of life's necessities. Clove Road provides residents with access to goods, services, and restaurants. Parents can take their children over to Naples Playground for fresh air and sunshine, and when they reach school age, they can attend one of the private, public, and nursery schools close to the neighborhood, such as William C. Wilcox Public School, Staten Island Academy, Eye Level of Staten Island, Michael J. Petrides School, and Juniors Day Care Center. Outdoor nature enthusiasts can stretch their legs on the golf course at nearby Richmond Country Club or at one of the bucolic Greenbelt trails around Deere Park or Reed's Basket Willow Swamp in Todt Hill.

Grant City

Right by Midland Beach lies Grant City which neighbors Todt Hill, New Dorp, Dongan Hills and Lighthouse Hill. This slower paced town is where family life is prominent. This is relfected by the quiet tree lined residential streets with sturdy colonial, ranch, and victorian homes which are quite affordable.

Named after the U.S' very own Civil War General and former President Ulysses S. Grant. Grant City actually has many streets named after former presidents, such as Adams Avenue for President John Adams and Lincoln Avenue for President Abraham Lincoln. However, the town was originally named French town and was only renamed to Grant City after the Civil War. The Civil war was actually an unfavorable war, many Staten Island residents disliked the war greatly.

Many small, one-family homes were built in Grant City in the 1950s, with an even larger population growth occurring after the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in November 1964. Today the neighborhood's population is heavily Italian-American by ethnicity and Roman Catholic by religion, and many of its residents were born in Brooklyn. Grant City and the neighborhoods surrounding it are also very conservative politically, with Republican Party candidates for most elected offices.

Grant city also has many different restaurants situated throughout the neighborhood. Some of these restaturants include Incas Grill Peruvian Kitchen which serves peruvian food, Moon Star that serves Cantonese, Malaysian and Asian Fusion, How Greek It Is which serves Greek and American food, Cucina Fresca which serves pizza, and many more.

Grant city is served by the s51/81 along Midland avenue and Lincoln Avenue, the s74/84 and s76/86 along Richmond Road, and the s78 and s79 along hylan Boulevard. There are also an abundance of express buses including the X1, X2, X3, and X9. Luckily there is also the Grant City Station on the SI Railway that allows you to travel between neighborhoods.

Grasmere

Grasmere is a rather small community on the east shore of Staten Island. Named for a village in the Lake District of England, where Sir Roderick Cameron, who named the community, had been born. In the 1880s Cameron sold land to Philip Brady who harvested ice from the pond that is currently known as Brady's Pond. This area has been a prominent neighborhood on Staten Island, especially the area around Brady's Pond. Today, Grasmere, home to the Staten Island Advance, is dotted with many charming lakefront homes.

One of the great things about this neighborhood is the quick and convenient access it has to entertainment, transportation,shopping, and many other attractions. As aformentioned Brady's Pond is a common attraction in Grasmere, ranging over 15 acres. This pond is the only freshwater pond withing citty limits to be fit for swimming. There are lifeguards, rowboats and pedal boats, as well as a sand beach area. Additionally, located on the Western border of Grasmere is Naples playground, which offers basketball and handball courts, a playground for children, as well as a baseball field. Furthermore, Hylan Boulevard is a hub for many local shops, restaurants, retail, etc, which provide ample entertainment.

Grasmere is a great location for those who prefer to be close to tranportation. It is located near major roadways and is also a stop on the SI Railway. There is easy access to the s78 ad s79 which run to brooklyn, the 20 express bus which runs to manhattan, and the Staten Island Expressway which goes throughout Staten Island and provides access to the Verrazano Bridge.

Heartland Village

Considering its 10,000 plus residents, Heartland Village is a large part of the Mid-Island region. Despite this, Heartland Village is not so much a neighborhood, as it is more a part of the greater area of New Springville.

Originallly, Heartland Village was home to many residential buildings in the 1960s, such as on family homes and ranch buildings. It was genuinely an inconvenient place to live. Whenever it would rain, cars would get stuck in the dirt roads. Also, mail and garbage disposal was all up to its own residence. If either one wanted to be delivered/ disposed of, the residents would have to do it themselves. However, this all ended with the arrival of the Verrazano- Narrows bridge. With the greater population influx that came with the bridge, the area began to modenize and the inconveniences started to dwindle out while Staten Island grew. Today, Heartland Village is home to the famous Staten Island Mall. Since it is truly located in the heart of the island, it serves the entirety of the island.

There are quite a few forms of public transportation in Heartland Villiage. The S44, S94, S59, S89, S61, and S91 travel across the island. The express buses: X17 and X31 bring you quickly across Manhattan and Staten Island.

High Rock

High Rock is a rather secluded area due to its massive High Rock Park located east of this small neighborhood. The park itself is a wonderful surprise in New York City. It is purely just a place where it surrounds you in complete nature which gives off a serene atmosphere in such a bustling city. Many prominent historical figures have occupied the park, including the Vanderbilts,howefver, the park has been designated "forever wild", with all 2,500 acres serving as a National Environmental Education Landmark. High Rock is also where the Greenbelt Conservancy's headquarters are located, and it is, by far, the best place to visit on Staten Island in order to get back in touch with nature. Hundreds of species of flora and fauna reside in the park, giving visitors unparalleled access to stunning natural vistas from the park's six walking trails

Although somewhat secluded, it doesn't mean that it's inconvenient. High Rock is only a mile away from bustling Richmond Road to the south, where residents can enjoy a number of amenities, including grocery stores, restaurants, banks, and service stations.

Like other residential areas in the Hills, High Rock homes for sale are considered precious real estate and include tree-shrouded houses on plenty of land, as well as more modest and cozy properties. Don't miss your opportunity to be a part of High Rock, Staten Island's best-kept, and most beautiful, secret!

Latourette

Surrounded by the neighborhoods of Heartland Village, New Springview, Great Kills, and Lighthouse Hill. Latourette is right in the center of the island, making it accessible to many other neighborhoods and popular locations. The most prestigious and prominent feature of this area is actually its golf course which features the same name.

Latourette's Golf Course and Country Club, which makes up most of the neighborhood, was originally farmland until it was sold off to the Latourette family. Soon, the family built a mansion on this land in 1870. This mansion is still on the property and is now considered a historical landmark and has been converted to the golf clubhouse. The area mainly consists of residential building such as townhouses, colonials, and capes. It is a very short ride from the lovely and newly renovated Staten Island Mall.

Transportation in this area is limited to the S44, S94, and S59. There is also the express bus, the X14 which quickly gets you to Manhattan.

This quaint neighborhood is perfect for anyone who loves the beautiful landscape of nice rolling hills at the gold course. It is a beautiful sight you musn't miss.

Lighthouse Hill

Similar to many other hilltop neighborhoods in Staten Island, Lighthouse hill is a mid-island neighborhood known for its magnificent homes. Considering its height, there are wonderful views of surrounding attractions such as Historic Richmond Town, New York Harbor, as well as the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, which is located on the hill.

Like various other neighborhoods in Staten Island, Lighthouse Hill wasn’t always known as lighthouse Hill. It was known as Richmond Hill until 1912 when a 90 ft. lighthouse was built above the Lower New York Bay. Since it is so close to Richmond Town, visitors can spend time exploring the town and enjoying the different demonstrations there are to offer.

Lighthouse house is very accessible to various amenities, some including, Latourette and High Rock Park, Latourette country club, Richmond Town as mentioned previously, as well as a number of shops, restaurants, churches/synagogues, and schools.

Cars are the most common form of transportation in Lighthouse Hill,with the Staten Island Expressway just a short distance away. However if you prefer public transportation there are options. Along Richmond Road you can find many local buses to get you around, also the New Dorp Station of the SI Railway is just two miles away.

Todt Hill

Todt hill is the islands most exlusive neighborhood. It is the highest point on the east coast of the United States which entails beautiful views of the Verrazano Bridge as well as New York Harbor and the Jersey Shore. While being 401 feet tall, it has always been considered the neighborhood for the elite and has even been used to film for big hollywood movies. It is known for its seclusion and self reliance. Many of the homes there are multi million dollar estates with breathtaking water views. Majestic Colonial and breathtaking Contemporary designs are the two most common housing styles found in the area, although Todt Hill homes for sale are so diverse and tantalizing that the similarities often end there. Lastly, although luxury properties are the norm, more humble houses can also be found throughout Todt Hill. This entire area is so gorgeous, that you'll never want to leave.

The name Todt comes from the Dutch word for "dead." This likely reffers to the large Dutch influence that came from immigrants in the seventeenth century. There is also a cemetary right by the hill bordering New Dorp, the current Moravian Cemetary, that has been open since 1740 and is the largest cemetary on the island.

Todt Hill is just a short distance away from the Staten Island Expressway, located north of the neighborhood, which provides car commuters with quick access to the Verrazano Bridge and points beyond. Grasmere, Old Town, and Dongan Hills train stations, located less than two miles away, offer public transportation options to commuters headed to the St. George Ferry Terminal and other parts of the island.

Manor Heights

Manor Heights is a very family friendly neighborhood south of Castleton Corners and Westerleigh. Between the quaint tree-lined streets this neighborhood provides and the accessibility to the Staten Island Expressway, this neighborhood is a must see!

After the construction of the Narrows Bridge in the 1960s, Manor Heights gained a lot of popularity. Presently, the neighborhood remains relatively small and less densely populated, however it is still a sought after neighborhood considering its convenience to many businesses and activities. Some of these close amenities include parks such as Deere Park, Latourette Park, Greenbelt Nature Center, as well as College of Staten Island, the Staten Island Mall, and plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and schools.

Manor Heights has easy access to the Verrazano and Bayonne Bridge for travel on or off the island. Public transportation is also available with lines such as the s54, s61, s62, s91,s92, x10 along Manor Rd, Schmidts Lane, and Bradley Ave.

Midland Beach

Located on Staten Island's Eastern shore, it is not only the access to the Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach, it is also surrounded by South Beach, Dongan Hills, New Dorp, and Oakwood and filled with affordable homes.

Formerly known as Wood Beach, during the 19th and 20th centuries, Midland beach was a popular beach resort. During the late 1800s, tourists would take boats from Manhattan and New Jersey just to get to the resort. It was equiped with a full amusement park, hotels, fishing pier, and attractions. Some formidable residents were the Vanderbilt brothers who maintained a large mansion and horse stable with over 180 acres of land.

Midland Beach is served by the S5, S81, S78, and S79 buses. It is also served by the X4, X5, X7, X8, X1, X2, X3, and X9 express buses.

New Dorp

New Dorp has a vast variety of homes. This array includes old-fashioned Colonials, Victorians, and Ranch, as well as townhouses, condos, and affordable units in multi-family dwellings. Not only does New Dorp accomodate housing, it is actually steeped in a plethera of history.

Before Staten Island was ever remotely urbanized, it was home to Native Americans. Much like the rest of North America, European settlers came and displaced/ killed many natives and then took the land for themselves. In this case peticularly, the Dutch settled in, which makes sense since the Dutch word "dorp" means town. Much later into history was the Revolutionary War, New Dorp actually hosted thousands of Red Coat British soldiers under the command of General William Howe. These days however, New Dorp is a melting pot with residents of a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Today, New Dorp is jam packed with business' on Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane. There are restaurants, shopping plazas, banks, and other neighbourly amenities. It is also home to a New York Public Library which children and adults ranging through many ages utilize, especially the students who study in this area. Furthermore, New Dorp is close to public parks such as Miller Field, Dugan Park, Great Kills Park, and High Rock Park near Lighthouse Hill.

Transportation in New Dorp is not limited whatsoever. It has its own SIRR stop as well as express and local buses. This includes the S57, S74, S76, S78, S84, S86 local buses, the S79 Select Bus Service bus, and X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X7, X8, X9, X15 express buses.

New Dorp is a diverse neighborhood with plenty of amenities. If interested, visit your local Tom Crimmins Realty branch or call in at 718-320-3200

Oakwood

Oakwood's real estate market consists primarily of detached and semi-detached homes a wide array of prices, as well as a handful of condos and townhouses. If you're looking for Small Town USA on Staten Island, look no further than the neighborhood of Oakwood.

Oakwood was formerly made up of farmland but today the land is primarily comprised of private residences and businesses. Oakwood's most popular attraction is Cedar Grove Beach on the waterfront. The beach used to be for private use only by some of the houses near the area, but today, the family friendly beach is open for public use. Additionally, Oakwood borders Great Kills Park and is close to Midland and South beaches. A number of private and public schools are located throughout the neighborhood and in nearby neighborhoods.

The Oakwood Heights train station on South Railroad Avenue provides commuters with access to the St. George Ferry terminal, while local and express buses make stops along Guyon Avenue and Hylan Boulevard. For those who choose to travel by car, the entrance to the Staten Island Expressway is approximately twenty minutes away, and the Outerbridge Crossing to New Jersey is fifteen minutes from the neighborhood.

Although quite small, Oakwood isnt limited to transportation. The community is served by its own SIRR station called Oakwood Heights and is also served by plenty of buses. For instance, the S57, S76, S78, S79, S86 all run throughout the area.

Old Town

Oldtown is the oldest town on Staten Island. Borded by the neighborhoods of Grasmere, Concord, Arrochar, South Beach, and Dongan Hills, Old Town is also one of the only neighborhoods served by the SIRR.

During the 17th century, many European immigrants came to Staten Island and settled. Many were French or Dutch which makes sense since its name in Dutch, "Oude Dorpe" literally translates to old town or village. Now, it is a quiet town known for its tree-lined residential streets. Old Town is also home to the Staten Island Advance, and the New York Tattoo Museum, the only museum of its kind in New York.

The neighborhood is served by the s78 and s79 on Hylan Boulevard, the s74 and s76 buses on Richmond Road, and the X1, X2, X3, and X9 express buses.

Richmond Town

Richmond Town, commonly known as Historic Richmond Town is located in the Gateway area of Staten Island. It is well known throughout Staten Island for its different events such as the Richmond County Fair as well as the different historic demonstrations they hold.

Originally, Richmond Town was known as "Coccles Town" because of the abundance of oyster and clam shells found in the water of the nearby Fresh Kills. Richmond Town gained its popularity when the village that is now preserved as Historic Richmond Town was founded. Today, Historic Richmond Town describes itself as the Island's oldest and largest cultural institution, and they continue to spread their influence through various family friendly events.

Richmond Town is served by the s54, s74, s84, and he x15 express bus.

South Beach

South Beach is another neighborhood with convenient access to the Verrazano Bridge. It is located on Staten Island’s East shore, with bordering neighborhoods such as Arrochar, Dongan Hills, and Midland Beach.

South beach was formerly a beach vacation destination. South beach was flooded with people who came not only the ocean but also the amusement parks, arcades, and fishing piers. Unfortunately, the last amusement park in South Beach closed in 2006 however one opened back up nearly a decade after in 2014 to boost popularity among the beach again. Seasonally, there are free activities, such as sunbathing, free concerts, fireworks, and fishing, South Beach is surrounding by a multitude of amenities. There is the FDR board walk wchich runs two miles and is perfect for walking, running, and biking.

Local buses such as the s78, s79, s51, s81, and s52 run through South Beach. Express buses that bring you to Manhattan are the x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x7, x8, and x9.

Willowbrook

Willowbrook is situated bordered by manor Heights, Westerleigh, New Springville, Heartland Village, and Bulls Head. Its convenient access to the SI expressway make it a wonderful location for quick access around Staten Island.

Willowbrook, like much of mid-island used to be covered in farmland. It actually remained mostly agricultural until after the second World War when hospitals were developing in the neighborhood. During the 1960s changes continued to be made, as Willowbrook was transformed from rural to residential.These natural areas are still a large part of Willowbrook, which people can explore and enjoy. Willowbrook park is probably one of the mor popular parks on the Island considering its great amenities. This park includes nature trails, a five-acre lake, tennis and basketball courts, and a children's carousel. This area also has a plethora of others restaurants and shops to enjoy, including the Staten Island Mall which is currently expanding.

Willowbrook is served by The SI expressway that provides access to the Verrazano Bridge, and the Bayonne and Goethals Bridge are very convenient, being only about a 7 and 8 minute trip. Public transportation is also another option, with a variety of buses and 5 express buses to Manhattan.

No matter what neighborhood you are aiming to find your dream home, our outstading Real Estate professionals at Tom Crimmins Realty can assist you!

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on July 19th, 2017

Tom Crimmins Realty Blog