Staten Island?

Posted: Sun, Nov 22 2009, 1:52 pm Post subject: Staten Island?

Any Staten Island Imamothers on here?
Pros: Apartments are really cheap, nice, area is quiet, nice people, ferry to the city
Cons- SI Expressway is the only road and is usually stuffed, Verrazano Bridge $11 (!!) toll (even though I do hear that if you are a resident you get half price, but still its $11 a day for DH and I commuting to Brooklyn)

I'm looking for other feedback please Smile

Thanks
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Executive Member Joined: May 29 2008 Posts: 443

I am from Staten Island....I didn't grow up here, but DH did and we ended up here after we got married. It's a very nice community, we love it.....which part of SI are u looking into? Willowbrook? the Yeshiva? Heartland village?? PM me if you have any specific questions...

Posted: Tue, Dec 08 2009, 10:58 pm Post subject: re: Staten Island?

I am a Staten islander-could you have ever guessed? Smile

I love it.The community is very tight knit and friendly. There is a kosher butcher and Costco carries a lot of kosher food. We have only two schools. They are :
JFS-MO, coed and RJJ-separate, yeshivish. There is also a boys yeshiva that is very well known.
We have one dairy and 2 fleishig places to eat. Commute is expensive. However, SI residents do pay half if they are alone in the car and carpoolers only pay $3 per car(or about there). Charges are one way.
SI is a very green boro. There are many parks. There are also tons of free or inexpensive things to do. Some are :
snug harbor
historic richmond town
SI Children's museum
The local YI financially helps out families looking to buy here. Besides the YI, there are a few yeshivish shuls, two chabad shuls and a sephardic shul. Please pm if I left anything out or if you would like to come for shabbos and check it out
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Posted: Wed, Dec 09 2009, 8:35 am Post subject: re: Staten Island?

Thanks so much! I love the area of Staten Island, it's quiet, there are lots of trees, and everyone who I've met has been nice Smile

I'm originally from out of town so these things are important for me- I miss it living in Brooklyn!

My only challenge is finding a place to live. We live in a huge prewar apartment now and have lots of "stuff." I saw an apartment which was a small two bedroom on the first floor of a two family house, which would not work for us. We wouldnt want to buy a house right away, until we are sure we love the community.
Can you recommend places to look for rental listings?

Thanks!!

Silver Member Joined: Sep 23 2007 Posts: 504

my in laws live in staten island...I usually like going there... they have a nice block, the traffic on the S.I. expressway can be frustrating but there is pros and cons to everything

Posted: Wed, Dec 09 2009, 7:36 pm Post subject: re: Staten Island?

http://www.yisi.org/

I think the best thing to do is to call the Young Israel directly and ask them if they know of a rental. They have their own bulletin board.
Local agent-Shuki Goldstein-917 681 8919
Craigslist is also a great resource-the three Jewish areas are Eltingville, Heartland Village(SI Mall area) and Willowbrook.Please feel free to PM if you need help or more info

Posted: Wed, Dec 09 2009, 9:02 pm Post subject: re: Staten Island?

My sister bought a house in Willowbrook (10 min walk to YI) three years ago. THey absolutely love the community, and made quite a few friends (there are always playdates, shiurim, events, etc). Eiruv is a big plus as well.
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Posted: Thu, Dec 10 2009, 8:18 am Post subject: re: Staten Island?

What area is the Young Israel located in?
What are the differences between Willowbrook, Eltingville, and Heartland Village? What is the best area for a young couple with no kids (yet?)

Thanks so much everyone for all your help!!

Senior Member Joined: Nov 30 2009 Posts: 138

I lived in SI for a year after I was married. There are great communities there. The commute is horrific and that is why we moved back to Brooklyn. Except if you live in Willowbrook which is very close to the highway and the buses only take about 45 min to the city. The communities are pretty different. If you want more info PM me. I also know of an apartment for rent that is in between two neighborhoods. I think you will pick an area depending on who you identify with - if you would say I think I could give you better advice as to where to live. Also call the Mikvehs for info on apartments in the neighborhoods your interested in - you know the Mikveh ladies know everything! Good Luck

Posted: Thu, Dec 10 2009, 6:35 pm Post subject: re: Staten Island?

HV is heavily Israeli, most ppl dont cover their hair and wear pants, Shomer SH and Shomer K. Willowbrook is MO and Eltingville is more yeshivish. I dont think the commute is bad at all.The express bus is expensive, but you are warm and always get a seat. I think Willowbrook is a great area..

Silver Member Joined: Dec 02 2009 Posts: 991

I live in Staten Island as well. I love this community! I have lived here for 5 1/2 years. It has a really nice "out-of-town" feel to it, yet only 20 minutes from Brooklyn when needed. I live in Willowbrook and consider myself Orthodox (not modern orthodox and not yeshivish either.) This community is right next to the highway which is a big advantage for "getting anywhere." I send my kids to RJJ. Yeshiva tuition is lower here than other yeshivas. I love having parking lots at all of the shopping centers and plenty of street parking and no need to practice the dredded parallel parking.

It happens to be that I am moving (boohoo) and am selling my Semi-Detached house (Moving due to DH's job...). 4 bedroom(rare find with a semi in SI), fully renovated, expanded kitchen, finished basement, 2 1/2 baths, fenced in backyard. 7 minute walk for Young Israel, 3 minute walk from Rabbi Pollack....

PM me for more info about my house if you are interested!