How is Roosevelt Island? (apartment complexes, rent, condos)

[max21ge]

Hi,

We're thinking about moving to Roosevelt Island after the birth of our 2nd child and rent a condo with a water view. Does/did anyone live here and can share his/her experience? Is it family-friendly? Easy access to Manhattan by train & car? All the necessities on site (pharmacy, deli, etc...). Anything else worth mentioning?

Thank you for your help!

Max

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by max21ge

Hi,

We're thinking about moving to Roosevelt Island after the birth of our 2nd child and rent a condo with a water view. Does/did anyone live here and can share his/her experience? Is it family-friendly? Easy access to Manhattan by train & car? All the necessities on site (pharmacy, deli, etc...). Anything else worth mentioning?

Thank you for your help!

Max

Yes to all of the above, but it is small and feels somewhat isolated and boring. But your right between Manhattan and Queens so your not far from the action if you ever feel bored.

[bmwguydc]

Access to Manhattan by auto requires a bit of a trek, since you have to take the bridge to Astoria from Roosevelt Island, and then you have to make your way to and across the 59th Street Bridge. It should take about 15 minutes to get to Manhattan with an auto, though longer with traffic. There is one subway stop on Roosevelt Island, and, of course, the tram, with a shuttle bus on the island.

Other than that, it seems like it would be a good fit if you're looking for a quiet residential area with some nice views. The parks on Roosevelt Island are also a plus, since you get the benefit of the city without the same dense feeling of apartment buildings on all sides.

[vitalove]

I have a relative that lives there and I have visited RI frequently over the years. The transportation options from RI to Manhattan or to Queens have greatly improved over the years. You have a major subway station right on the island, a bridge to drive over and you can even take the scenic route (the Tram). RI also has its own private bus/shuttle that is cheaper than the regular bus and will pick you up from the train station and take you around the island. When I was a kid, we would ride the bus for free and just travel around the island, it was really nice.

Shopping is pretty good on Main Street. You have several stores and shops including a large supermarket. You also have a private library for the island, a few restaurants etc. just note that prices at these stores are often a lot higher than on Manhattan.

The island is very family friendly. Most apartment complexes have a view of the river, which is great. There are also walkways around the entire island.

Street parking on the island is costly and limited. There is one big garage on Main Street and some of the buildings have parking lots. HTH.

[SeventhFloor]

Main Street reminds me of some drab Eastern European capital. Especially on an overcast day. I like everything about Roosevelt Island except the aesthetics. But the newer condos prolly look much better.

[vitalove]

Main Street a drab Eastern European capital? No, I don't think so. More like a small town on the outskirts of Manhattan. It's kind of nice actually.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by vitalove

Main Street a drab Eastern European capital? No, I don't think so. More like a small town on the outskirts of Manhattan. It's kind of nice actually.

i think the architecture sucks. most of the buildings are gray and Main Street is so narrow, it gets little sunlight.

[vitalove]

It just has a small town feel to me, but once you go off Main Street, toward the river, it's actually quite nice. It's also a very serene place, nothing like Manhattan.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by vitalove

It just has a small town feel to me, but once you go off Main Street, toward the river, it's actually quite nice. It's also a very serene place, nothing like Manhattan.

i agree towards the river is nice

[KB4]

I've heard that the school there is pretty bad.
Also, when the tram was not working a few years ago, a friend of mine who stays on RI complained a lot about not being able to squeeze onto the subway train in the mornings because it was so crowded. Otherwise the people I know who stay there like it because it's quiet and family-friendly. Most of them have nice rent-stabilized apartments. The new condos would be more expensive of course.