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Why your family should move there
Not only does this small spit of land in the north Bronx boast one of the borough’s best public schools, it’s got fantastic restaurants, striking architecture and views that overlook sailboat-dotted Long Island Sound, Eastchester Bay and a slice of Manhattan in the distance. City Island is charmingly secluded, the dress code is decidedly casual, and there’s no real reason to leave—except to head to work. It’s got an old-fashioned, laid-back vibe that makes you feel as though neighbors aren’t merely polite, but are actually friends. Plus, if you want your kids to learn to sail or swim, this is surely one of the best spots in New York.
What you’ll find
Young families and weathered old-timers. Walking down City Island Avenue, the nabe’s central commercial strip, you get a sense of the island’s comfortable mix of tradition and progression. Taverns and antique stores bump up against galleries, wine boutiques and toy stores, and it’s not uncommon to spot tough clammers enjoying drinks next to a family of four. Most of the island’s homes are an eclectic array of single-family, detached houses that range in architectural style from Cape Cod saltbox to ranch, but there are some newer condominiums as well.
What you’ll pay
Though you can spend $1 million for a single-family home, you can also nab one for as little as $400,000. “It just depends on how much property you want and how close you want to be to the water,” says broker Betty Lavelle-Esola of City Island Real Estate, Ltd. For $400,000, for example, you can get a small Cape Cod on a 25-by-100-foot lot. (Last year, the firm sold a Cape Cod house for $520,000 on a much larger lot.) There are also two waterfront areas featuring condos in the same price range: One is a three-story apartment complex with laundry in each unit and a communal pool; the other features townhouse-style buildings that have a pool, a squash court and a dock (with moorings). Fortunately, Lavelle-Esola adds, there are lots of affordable two- and three-bedrooms available right now.
Where to hang out
Grab a sensational brunch at City Island Diner (304 City Island Ave, 718-885-0362), lunch at the Snug tavern (302 City Island Ave, 718-885-9559) or some fish and chips at the Crab Shanty (361 City Island Ave, 718-885-1810) before lounging on your street’s private beach; each street has its own. You’ll love browsing at Exotiqa International Arts (280 City Island Ave, 718-885-3090), where your kid might tempt you into buying that Melissa & Doug grand piano. Instead, head across the street to Lickety Split Ice Cream (295 City Island Ave, 718-885-9195) and indulge in a cone.
What the locals love
“My wife and I used to live in downtown Manhattan, but the hustle and bustle was too much,” says dad Dan Feid. “The nice thing about a small community is that you can walk to everything, the people are friendly and it’s safe. It reminds me a lot of Cape Cod.”
Report card on the schools
With top math and reading scores, the island’s only public school, P.S. 175 City Island School (200 City Island Ave), has an excellent reputation and goes from kindergarten through eighth grade.
What we’d change
We’re not suggesting a mall, but having a few chain retail stores here would be nice. If you want to catch a movie or shop more commercially, you’ll have to head to the north Bronx, a 15-minute bus ride away.
Distance to Manhattan
At least an hour and a half each way to midtown via both the Bx29 bus and the 6 train. You could take the express bus to midtown, but it leaves the island only twice daily in the early morning. That means spontaneous trips later in the day aren’t an easy option.
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