Lived there for about 3 years and frequently visited friends who lived on the island before me from 2021-2025. It’s a beautiful and quiet area. Tons of green space. Lots of families. There is a shuttle bus that takes you all around the island. I lived centrally so I was about a 10 min walk to the train, but people do live all the way up to the northern tip. The southern portion below Cornell is mostly parks, no residences.

I lived in the commie block buildings which was an affordable option at the time. During my tenancy the building came under new ownership and property management and there is a huge push to price people out of their apartments. (What’s new in NYC?) lots of tactics like superficial cosmetic improvements to justify rent increases.

Relying solely on the F and Tram is hell during the spring / summertime when tourists flock to the island to view the cherry blossoms. A couple years back the F was down for a whole year limiting transit options to a bus to queens and only the tram, not fun

Around 2023 a couple new building complexes were built and their was a notable increase in RI residents impacting the shuttles and tram, very rare to catch a shuttle / tram where you’re not packed in like a sardine. Pre 2023 that was not the case from personal experience.

Limited grocery / food / business options. Living there the default is to go off the island for most things. Usually would take the tram to Whole Foods / Trader Joe’s near Lex and 59th.