Roosevelt Island is an anomaly among New York City neighborhoods, and that’s exactly its charm. It’s centrally located and isolated at the same time. The buildings themselves are architecturally homogenous, but residents hail from all countries and backgrounds. The island is just a stone’s throw from the throngs of 57th Street but has just one commercial strip. And though it has changed over time, it has always felt outside the orbit of normal city life. Throughout the 19th century, the island was principally occupied by hospitals. In the 1970s, it became a testing ground for new urban ideals and was redeveloped into a planned residential community, which explains those uniform brick high-rises and winding walkways. Roosevelt Island’s earliest residents were looking for a quiet, simple slice of life within city limits. That appeal still holds today, even as new developments have risen and the Cornell Tech Campus looms over the southern part 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.
