St. George vs. Stapleton: Living Near Staten Island Ferries

Thinking about living near the Staten Island Ferry? Choosing between St. George and Stapleton comes down to how close you want to be to the terminal, the feel on your block, and what is coming to the waterfront next. You want a fast commute, everyday conveniences, and long-term value. This guide compares commute times, housing styles, amenities, and major developments so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.

St. George vs. Stapleton at a glance

St. George at the terminal

St. George sits at Staten Island’s northeastern tip, home to the St. George Ferry Terminal and the island’s main transit hub. The Staten Island Ferry runs to Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan, with free service and a crossing of about 25 minutes, operated year-round by NYC DOT (official schedule and facts). You will also find Empire Outlets next to the terminal and the ballpark along the waterfront, which draw steady foot traffic and visitors (Empire Outlets overview). The city is actively planning the broader North Shore waterfront, including St. George areas, through the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan (NYCEDC project page).

Stapleton close-by neighborhood

Stapleton borders St. George along the North Shore and includes the elevated Stapleton Staten Island Railway station near Bay Street (station context). The streets offer a mix of historic homes and denser blocks, with notable Victorian-era architecture in areas like Stapleton Heights (historic district profile). The New Stapleton Waterfront will add major public space and housing over time, with ground broken on the esplanade and a plan for thousands of mixed-income units and a new 600-seat school (city announcement). The city also announced developers for an early phase of 500-plus mixed-income units as part of the broader plan (developer update).

Commute and transit

Ferry facts

The Staten Island Ferry is free, runs 24/7, and takes about 25 minutes between St. George and Whitehall. Service is frequent during rush hours, with steady departures throughout the day (NYC DOT ferry info). If you value a simple, predictable ride to the Financial District, St. George puts you steps from the terminal.

From Stapleton to St. George

Stapleton is one to two short Staten Island Railway stops from St. George, depending on where you start. Many residents use the SIR for a quick hop or choose a 10 to 25 minute walk to the terminal. Local ferrieside transit guides outline the short rail ride and station access options (Getting there).

Getting around Staten Island

At St. George, you can connect to the Staten Island Railway and multiple bus lines for island-wide travel. This hub-and-spoke setup helps with last-mile connections to the ferry and makes multi-modal commuting straightforward (Getting there).

Housing and streetscape

St. George delivers a more urban feel near the terminal, with mid-rise buildings, condos, and rentals concentrated along the waterfront and Bay Street. You will notice more commercial activity and visitor flow near Empire Outlets and the ballpark, which many buyers value for convenience. Stapleton offers a wider mix, from historic single-family homes to attached walkups and larger complexes, creating varied block-by-block character. The planned New Stapleton Waterfront will introduce additional mixed-income housing and new public spaces that can reshape nearby streets over time (city announcement).

Lifestyle and amenities

St. George’s waterfront features retail, promenades, and event energy near the terminal, plus sweeping harbor views. Empire Outlets provides shopping right off the ferry, which is convenient for errands and guests visiting from Manhattan (Empire Outlets overview). Stapleton is known for local dining and coffee spots on Broad and Bay Streets, historic residential pockets, and growing waterfront access as the esplanade and parks expand. Both neighborhoods sit within the NYPD’s 120th Precinct, and you can review current precinct information and reports as part of your due diligence (NYPD 120th Precinct).

Development shaping the future

The New Stapleton Waterfront is a major North Shore initiative converting a former naval base into a mixed-use district with large public open spaces, a new school, and thousands of mixed-income homes. The city broke ground on the esplanade in 2024, and announced developers for an early phase in 2025 (project update). St. George is also in focus as NYCEDC advances planning for the North Shore waterfront, including the St. George area around Empire Outlets and the former NY Wheel site (North Shore Action Plan). These efforts will influence housing supply, open space, and retail over the next several years.

Market takeaways

• Expect wider month-to-month price swings in St. George due to a higher share of condos and smaller neighborhood sample sizes.
• Stapleton’s mix includes more single-family and rowhouse options, with future supply coming from the waterfront pipeline that could affect inventory and pricing over time.
• Borough trends also matter. Use current MLS comps and a local advisor for up-to-the-week data, since neighborhood snapshots can vary across sources and timeframes. For broader neighborhood context, you can explore indicators from the Furman Center’s St. George/Stapleton profile (Furman Center profile).

Which neighborhood fits you

• Choose St. George if you want to be steps from the ferry, value a lively waterfront setting, and prefer condo or apartment options near transit.
• Choose Stapleton if you want a short train or walk to the ferry, like historic streets and a residential vibe on many blocks, and want to benefit from new waterfront parks and housing coming online.

How to decide

• Test your commute. Ride the SIR and ferry during your typical rush hour to compare door-to-door times (ferry schedule).
• Walk the blocks you are considering at different times of day to gauge foot traffic, noise, and retail convenience.
• Check parking options near your target building or SIR station.
• Review local school zoning and planned capacity changes, including the new 600-seat school planned for the Stapleton waterfront.
• Track waterfront planning updates in both areas so you understand how new open space and supply may impact value and quality of life (North Shore Action Plan).

Ready for a block-by-block breakdown, on-the-ground comps, and a plan that fits your goals? Connect with JC Luxury Group for clear guidance and a strategy tailored to you.

FAQs

Is the Staten Island Ferry free?

• Yes. The Staten Island Ferry is free, runs 24/7, and the crossing takes about 25 minutes between St. George and Whitehall in Manhattan (NYC DOT schedule).

Which neighborhood is closest to the ferry?

• St. George is at the terminal. Stapleton is one to two short SIR stops away or roughly a 10 to 25 minute walk, depending on your exact location (Getting there).

What development is planned for Stapleton’s waterfront?

• The New Stapleton Waterfront includes large public open space, a planned 600-seat school, and thousands of mixed-income homes, with early phases advancing now (city announcement).

How do prices compare between St. George and Stapleton?

• Prices can overlap and shift month to month due to small sample sizes and different housing mixes. St. George often shows more variability, while Stapleton’s mix includes more single-family options. Use current MLS comps for a precise comparison.