Roosevelt Island

Connected to Manhattan by an iconic tram and one subway line, this narrow island is unlike any other neighborhood in the city. Locals love Roosevelt Island’s quiet charm and quixotic character.

At a Glance

Yes, people live on Roosevelt Island: where waterfront parks, skyline views, and tranquil living create a unique residential enclave in the middle of the East River. It’s an anomaly among NYC neighborhoods, and that’s exactly its charm. Centrally located and tucked away at the same time, the island has its own commercial strip and is just a stone’s throw from the throngs of 57th Street. Throughout the 19th century, Roosevelt Island was primarily occupied by hospitals until redevelopment in the 1970s transformed it into a residential community. Renters and buyers can expect to find mostly high-rise co-ops and condos, with a sprinkling of new developments on the southern half of the island.

The Mood

Roosevelt Island has an undeniably sleepy, small-town vibe. There's only a single road bridge, no traffic lights, and little parking. The sounds of honking horns and sirens are rare.

Heart of the Neighborhood

While it's not at the center of things, Four Freedoms Park, which spans the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island, is a popular destination for residents, students, and tourists.

Neighborhood Quirk

Roosevelt Island has no shortage of quirks, but the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital are certainly unique. The remnants of this 1850s building were featured in the climax of "Spider-Man."

Best Perk

Roosevelt Island provides breathtaking vantages of the Midtown skyline and the East River — views unlike anything else in the city.

Biggest Downside

With just a handful of restaurants and stores, Roosevelt Island offers precious little in the way of commercial enticements or nightlife.

Prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees. Visit each listing to see a complete cost breakdown.

$1.1M

Median Sale

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$4,295

Median Base Rent

View All Rentals

The Mood

Roosevelt Island has an undeniably sleepy, small-town vibe. There's only a single road bridge, no traffic lights, and little parking. The sounds of honking horns and sirens are rare.

Heart of the Neighborhood

While it's not at the center of things, Four Freedoms Park, which spans the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island, is a popular destination for residents, students, and tourists.

Neighborhood Quirk

Roosevelt Island has no shortage of quirks, but the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital are certainly unique. The remnants of this 1850s building were featured in the climax of "Spider-Man."

Best Perk

Roosevelt Island provides breathtaking vantages of the Midtown skyline and the East River — views unlike anything else in the city.

Biggest Downside

With just a handful of restaurants and stores, Roosevelt Island offers precious little in the way of commercial enticements or nightlife.

What’s close by

Rental prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees.

1. Astoria

Median Sale: $990K Median Base Rent: $3,250

2. Long Island City

Median Sale: $1.0M Median Base Rent: $4,490

3. Midtown

Median Sale: $1.9M Median Base Rent: $5,650

4. Upper East Side

Median Sale: $1.3M Median Base Rent: $4,300

Median Price

Price History

Neighborhood Borough Median

Rental prices shown are base rent only and don't include any fees.

Median Base Rent

Price History

Neighborhood Borough Median

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 ACS

No more than 800 feet wide and less than two miles long, Roosevelt Island is ideal for walking. Many pedestrian paths wind around the island.

Image of Roosevelt Island Four Freedoms Park

Spanning the southern tip of the island, Four Freedoms Park is a memorial to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the famous State of the Union address in which he championed universal human freedoms, including freedom of speech and worship, and freedom from want and fear.

The Roosevelt Island Tramway runs back and forth from 59th Street and Second Avenue every seven to 15 minutes. MetroCards accepted!