Roosevelt Island

Score Breakdown

About this Neighborhood

Roosevelt Island is an unusual New York City neighborhood — a 147-acre island in the East River, leased by the city for 99 years, home to 11,661 residents as of the 2020 census. With 14 restaurants, 5 coffee shops, 6 groceries, 9 parks, and 5 sports courts mapped in range, it scores a 52 — genuinely livable for an island community with limited land area. Foursquare emphasizes parks, scenic lookouts, hiking trails, dog parks, and a café character, consistent with a community that makes the most of its waterfront and green infrastructure. The island sits between Manhattan to the west and Queens to the east, offering an unusual vantage point on the city while functioning as a quieter, residential alternative.