Roosevelt Island? (New York, York: apartments, daycare, neighborhoods)

[ny123]

I don't see any discussion about the Roosevelt Island. Does it belong to Manhattan borough? I've also never seen housing listings from there? Is it expensive there? Anything anyone knows about this little island?

[Ace09]

Roosevelt Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and when u search on craiglist for roosevelt island you find plenty appartments.

[Fred314X]

Politically, Roosevelt Island is a part of Manhattan (zip code 10044).

It's got quite a history of name changes. Originally, it was called Blackwell's Island, after the first person to claim it. Later it was Welfare Island, but when the connotations of that word began to change, the name Roosevelt was adopted.

[Chava61]

The library branch on Roosevelt Island belongs to the NYPL (New York Public Library) system (which serves Manhattan) rather than the Queens Library system.

[bmwguydc]

Roosevelt Island is also generally less expensive for coparable apartments when measured against more prime areas of Manhattan, with 3BRs with a view and terrace priced similarly to 2BRs without those amenities in other neighborhoods.

[BKTony]

To find apartment listing try using zip code 10044, most apartment finders dont list the area as Roosevelt Island just as part of Manhattan. They are plenty of apartments in Roosevelt Island. The place is alittle weird though lots of disabled people over there. It also has some bizarre Communist bloc architecture. It is convenient to Manhattan and the Bronx though.

[Chava61]

It is also convenient to Queens as there is direct subway service there (F train).

[miramera]

It's officially part of Manhattan as far as zip codes go, but political NYCers will tell you it's not. I lived in the Octagon on RI in the past, it was nice. Just depends what you're looking for. You get more space for your money, amenities, park spaces, city views, and a relatively easy commute. It's an odd island: a mix of nice buildings and poor buildings....the grocery store is awful, but ok for basic necessities. Beware: you have to pack yourself like a sardine on the morning rush hour F train. I think it's a good alternative to Manhattan if you have a family and have been priced out of nice buildings in Manhattan. My building had a parking garage and daycare center.

[EllieLA]

I was just reading about The Octagon. It sounded like an interesting place to live.

I keep seeing good and not-so-good reviews of the building and life on RI itself. It's so hard to know who to believe.

Some say the local red bus is great, others don't.
What's commuting like in the dead of winter?

Thanks!

[vitalove]

There is a thread on Roosevelt Island here if you do a search.

My relative used to live there. I loved visiting. The Main Street has a small town feel with its shops and restaurants. Most of the buildings have a great view of the East River. There is also a greenway that loops around the whole island, great for walking etc.

You can access Qns and Manhattan too. Good location to live in the city and yet a lot quieter and nicer than most other places. I highly recommend it. Though food shopping can be limited, so you may want to do your food shopping off the island or use Fresh Direct if they deliver there.