Staten Island, NY

When people complain, I listen. And once that last drop of whine wine has been poured and had, I, wanting to help, may suggest an alternative as a solution. Often it's from my catalog of experiences, so-and-so accounts, or 'why nots'. So when a New York City resident carped about lack of space, rising rents, and noise to me, I said,"What about Staten Island?" In response they gave me the look that yells, "Have you NOT been listening to me?!?"

"What?! The ferry is so fast! My cousin used to live there and loved it. And my old boss bought a Victorian there."

I thought for certain they would entertain the idea when I said that rare word in urban speech, 'bought', but the conversation ended. Though I'm sure the wine was poured elsewhere...

In their defense, our conversation happened a year after Americans were reminded of the reality of inequality. So, I get it. Kind of... Both my cousin and former boss have more pigment than the fake pigment on the murdering cop (secret jealousy??) In other words, they're not white nor Italian to like Staten Island as much as the demographic that stereotypically does. Maybe that's why I was excited to explore New York City's forgotten borough, I wanted to see why my cousin and boss chose to live on Staten Island. Even if the pale and rosy cheeked city dwellers in front of me were happy to continue its disregard.


"There's so much to do here!" Me to my cousin as I buckled myself into her rental.
"I know! What's first?" She to me as she peered over at my list.

There was art (coolest thing I've seen for kids in a while), food (amazing pizza and tender garlicky broccoli rabe), a park (a carpet of grass in NYC??), and more food (ice cream served in metal dishes!) I didn't realize what was odd about our day until we had ordered our dessert and sat down -- again. We did this more than what I thought we'd doing in a borough that's part of New York City. A city where you can walk 10,000 steps a day and wonder how you did it and not how you're going to do it.

"We probably would've walked around more if these cute little buggers were older." I thought to myself as I fed my cousin's youngest some of my coffee ice cream (I'm evil like that :D)
"I can't believe he likes it! You're gonna need more napkins..."
"I'll grab some."
"Just ask the waiter."
"It's okay. I wanna take a picture too -- I'll be quick!"

Then, this happened. Before you rail my evil ways, let me just say that they crashed my shot. No one was at the famed ice cream counter when I was adjusting the camera settings on my dumbphone. That said, I'm so glad they did because now I have proof how New York City, which includes the borough of Staten Island, isn't immune from the perils of car culture. Staten Island may have the best of both worlds: a lawn in your backyard and one of the biggest cities in the world almost in your backyard. But that doesn't mean it's excluded from having the worst from both.

Length of Stay

About 1/2 a day

Docking Index

     

Five anchors. On one hand, I don't care about lawns and cars if my intention is to live in one of the biggest cities in the world. On the other hand, if my intention is to have easier access to one of the biggest cities in the world while having a few things I want in life: a car for road trips,  a plot of something for a grill, and a place to live in without roommates, then I should seriously consider Staten Island... File under: Things that make you go hmm.