Roosevelt Island (New York, York: condos, luxury, construction)

[mjohnson4381]

I really want to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway when I go on vacation to New York. I don't know what's interesting at Roosevelt Island, though. I read that the Meditation Steps have a good view of the Manhattan skyline and I've also read that there are old prisons and asylums there. Would you recommend visiting those places or going somewhere else?

[omigawd]

I recently took the Roosevelt Island Tram and it was a great ride and wonderful views. Once you get off the tram, you can take the bus around the island (25 cents) and get off where ever you like. There is a tiny visitor's center as well. Here's a link to the site that tells you about the island and you can also download a map of the island www.rihs.us


PS: Don't be surprised about all the new "luxury" condos going up on Roosevelt Island when you get there!

[mjohnson4381]

That sounds great. Thanks for the link!

[zac14]

One word for the place is weird for the lack of a better word. Its like a ghetto and a luxury waterfront area mixed in for one. The place had an eerie feeling to it. As you walk around you will see a giant hospital thats like it should be abandoned if it wasnt for all the cars then around this hospital you will see more people you have ever seen before in wheelchairs makes you feel good to have your health. Then the northern tip of the island is all blocked of by a barbwire fence too keep people out of the old smallpox hospitle. Also near the backside of the hospitle there is an area with a sighn that reads lead poisioning no eating or drinking. So to sum it up thi splace is like pleasentville, a superfund site and i giant hospitle all mixed into one by the time i got to the tram i could not wait to get off and to be honest i dont want to go back and i the only one who feels this way?

[omigawd]

Well, I try to see the good in places... I thought the island was very nice. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that there was so much construction going on. They're trying to build the island up with "luxury condos". I didn't try to go near the smallpox hospital -- no reason for it. There is plenty to see on the island and plenty of opportunity to take some great photos.

I plan on going back again over the summer.

PS: I think the reason you have an "eerie feeling" there is becauase it's so quiet and it's on the water. Those 2 things combined can give anyone the "eeries".....

[SeventhFloor]

i actually like roosevelt island to visit, but not to live....too communist-feeling for me, like i said on previous posts. it feels like 1970s belgrade or something...

[BKTony]

It should be alright to visit. It seems kind of strange over there, like the island is part of some scientific experiment or sociological study. I do not advice living there. Alot contaminated areas of lead, asbetos etc. I remember about five years ago there was a study saying that there was a very high rate of cancer for Roosevelt Island residents. Government of course downplayed the threat of contamination and denied it had any link to the cancer.

[mjohnson4381]

Thanks for the feedback. I really want to go see it now. It sounds interesting.

[usedtobeanyer]

I always found it to be horribly depressing. Other than the Smallpox Hospital, there's nothing to see. The architecture is horrendous. That being said, the Smallpox Hospital is awesome, if that's your kind of thing. I haven't been there in probably 4-5 years so I don't know what state it is in now or how accessible it is.

I'm not inclined to believe in this sort of thing, but I consistently felt a wave of cool air surround me whenever I went to the Smallpox Hospital. And I managed to get in it one time, which was beyond creepy.

[hazeleyes86]

I've been there once, around 4 years ago, the island to me felt tinier than the way it looks from Manhattan, nothing to do at all, one main st down the middle, basically with the one chinese spot, one grocery store, theres the hospital, then basically two blocks of condos to the right, two blocks of condos to the left. Thats it, so yes it did feel depressing to me. Though the ride over there in the tram should be nice.