Being New York City’s “forgotten borough” has its advantages. Staten Island has a sense of safety and calm that is hard to find elsewhere in New York. It is the least populous of the city’s five boroughs – as of 2023, approximately 500,000 of the more than 8 million New Yorkers called it home. It has also been named the safest borough in the city and one of the safest communities in the country in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report (via SILive.com). The borough’s major crime rate has also declined in recent years, according to NYPD statistics. Additionally, Staten Island is relatively affordable, with apartment prices similar to those in other boroughs. Its quality of life benefits from the suburban feel of its communities, many of which include golf clubs, shopping centers, cultural sites and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Many residents appreciate Staten Island’s quiet lifestyle while remaining connected to the city, which appeals to both families and retirees. An outstanding community, The Tides is a 55+ retirement community in the borough’s Charleston neighborhood. From there, it’s approximately 30 miles from Midtown Manhattan, 15 miles from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, and 14 miles from Newark International Airport, providing convenient transportation for retirees who want to travel.
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All about tides
Two elderly people stretching their arms on the tennis court – Andreswd/Getty Images
Charleston is a small community on Staten Island with only about 800 people. Located behind security gates, The Tides is a development of 190 detached and semi-detached homes built around 2006. Designed for those 55 and older, these homes feature first-floor master suites, open kitchens, high-ceiling living rooms, garages, landscaped courtyards and some with direct oceanfront views. As of this writing, the home is selling for just under $900,000. Residents don’t have to worry about maintenance tasks like snow removal and lawn care because these services are taken care of by the management company, making retirement life easier. Many units look modest from the outside, but have surprisingly spacious interior layouts, often with two bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, lofts and finished basements, offering nearly 2,500 square feet of living space.
The community has many attractive amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a clubhouse where neighbors can gather or play pool. In a 2011 SILive.com article, some residents said they were moving from busy boroughs or nearby neighborhoods seeking more space and a sense of belonging. Others mentioned practical comforts, such as the peace of mind that high altitude can provide during storms. For those seeking a tranquil, luxurious, community-oriented home without leaving the borders of New York City, The Tides offers the best of both worlds.
About the Charleston Community
The Staten Island Ferry passes the Statue of Liberty – Ali Chehade Farhat/Shutterstock
Residents of The Tides benefit from its location in Charleston, on the southwest tip of Staten Island, where quiet suburban streets meet the open marshlands and tidal waters of the Arthur Kill River, a 10-mile-long strait between Staten Island and New Jersey. Originally a 19th-century brick-making village, the neighborhood was named for Charles Kreischer, a member of the Kreischer Brick Works family.
Today, Charleston blends deep-rooted traditions with suburban growth. It includes residential enclaves and extensive wetlands, creating an almost rural feel. One of Charleston’s defining features is closeness to nature: nearby is part of Clay Pit Pond State Park Preserve, a 265-acre oasis of pine forests, ponds, trails and sand dunes.
This vast green space is balanced by one of Staten Island’s major retail centers: Bricktown Center in Charleston. The complex opened in the 2000s, bringing national retailers, restaurants, cafes and movie theaters to an area that had been largely undeveloped for decades. It now serves as the commercial center of the southern region of the island. Residents visiting New York City on the Staten Island Ferry can also get a free, up-close look at the Statue of Liberty, a ride considered one of the most affordable outdoor activities in New York City.
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Read the original article about the islands.
