City Island (Bronx) Thread (New York, Pelham: crime, taxi, living in)

[By~Tor]

I'll open up this thread for anyone who is interested in possibly moving to (or general discussion about) City Island, Bronx. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try & help.

In brief, City Island is an actual, small island, somewhat isolated from the rest of the Bronx by Pelham Bay Park and the Long Island Sound, and it is considered to be more like a small New England-style fishing village, than an actual part of New York City. It is located about 5 minutes driving time, from the Throg's Neck & Whitestone bridges, off exit 8B on the (I-95_ New England Thruway / Cross-Bronx Expressway.

Rents here are comparable with other areas of the north Bronx, crime is super-low, and if you like seafood, charter boats, shipbuilding or fishing, then there is planty to do here, on a strip of land that is about a mile long and about 4 blocks wide, at its widest part.

City Island attracts many artists, musicians and people who want all the amenities of living in New York without all the noise, crime or extraneous "negative" factors of same. Notable residents include Vincent Pastore (Big Pu**y, from Sopranos) and, before his death, Tito Puente.

A couple links here, for those who want to explore some of the more "official" sites:

• http://www.cityisland.com/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Island,_Bronx
• http://www.escapemaker.com/ny/cityisland/cityisland.html
  Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed
• http://www.cityislandmuseum.org/
• http://www.lerefugeinn.com/ (Bed & Breakfast)
• http://excelfacilityservices.com (Janitorial / Cleaning)

Enjoy the thread, and enjoy the island!!!!

[BklynDude718]

I must say, I love, love, love, love, LOVEEEE, the restaurant Sammy's Fishbox in City Island. You can't beat their beef ribs or their chicken. I'm allergic to seafood, but their fish and shellfish are EXCELLENT.

[By~Tor]

Sammy's is the first place we ate when we came out here to visit one Saturday afternoon, but the BEST deal is really at Lobster House... the $69.95 Feast for two is THE bomb to end all bombs!!!

[baylovers]

Is there much noise from the police range at Rodman's Neck? I've heard folks complain about it but didn't know if was really an issue.

[RoastBeefJackson]

Its beautyfull up there, Especially on July 4th when your surrounded by fireworks in all direction for 50 miles.
However it can be boring if your a real city person

[DoomDan515]

I've been to City Island once last year. It's a very nice, isolated, and peaceful area that thankfully doesn't carry any of the negative traits that are usually associated with The Bronx. Took alot of pictures there too.

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by baylovers

Is there much noise from the police range at Rodman's Neck? I've heard folks complain about it but didn't know if was really an issue.

I live on the end of the island closest to Rodman's neck, and in the late afternoons / early evenings, you CAN clearly hear the practice going on, but that's usually only between about 4pm - 8pm, and if you have the windows closed and the TV on, you don't even notice it.

There have been several proposals on how to stem the noise from the firing range, and from what I understand, they have one now that is funded, wherein they will be refurbishing the range to make it soundproofed enough (interior range, perhaps??) so that the noise becomes a non-issue; this will be within the next 4 years or so.

Overall, I don't find it to be a negative factor in living here, anymore than the planes flying overhead over most of the city or taxi horns and fire engine sirens blaring in the middle of the night... the range is a fairly good neighbor, in my book, and the ability to walk 1 block to the beach anytime I want is a benefit that far outweighs any of the drawbacks of Rodman's neck being nearby.

Hope this helps!!

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by RoastBeefJackson

Its beautyfull up there, Especially on July 4th when your surrounded by fireworks in all direction for 50 miles.
However it can be boring if your a real city person

Yeah, last year, I walked over to the unofficial fishing beach right off the bridge and took pictures of the fireworks as they were shot off from Orchard Beach, and it was truly amazing!!!!!

[Moth]

I love City Island. A fascinating and fun place with great people. I have always wondered what it would be like to live there.

Is that used record store still there?

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by Moth

I love City Island. A fascinating and fun place with great people. I have always wondered what it would be like to live there.

Is that used record store still there?

Well, there is a store that sells records & videos, and we're getting a shoe store as well, finally.... living here is great, and cheaper than living in "the city"... much more peaceful.