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Is Great Kills-Eltingville safe?

Staten Island, New York · safety score updated nightly

89out of 100

Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.

VibeLoco rates Great Kills-Eltingville as “Go”.

What makes up this score?

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Gogo's take on Great Kills-Eltingville

“Go. Great Kills and Eltingville are among the safest, most stable residential communities in New York City. Visitors will encounter peaceful suburban streets, seaside parkland, and classic neighborhood dining with virtually negligible violent crime risk.”

About the area

Situated on Staten Island's South Shore, Great Kills-Eltingville is a quiet, coastal suburban neighborhood defined by detached single-family homes, bustling commercial strips on Amboy Road, and nautical marinas. It is best known for its waterfront parks, Italian specialty markets, and relaxed community atmosphere.

  • Suburban / Residential
  • Coastal / Marina
  • Family-Friendly
  • Quiet

Walking and biking in Great Kills-Eltingville

Walk score: 54/100 · Bike score: 42/100

Citi Bike is not present in this outer borough area; protected on-street bike lanes are rare, though paved multi-use recreational paths exist inside Great Kills Park.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to city and national averages.
  • Strong socioeconomic stability with high homeownership (over 80%) and low poverty rates.
  • Expansive waterfront parkland and outdoor recreation at Great Kills Park.

Cons

  • Suburban sprawl makes navigating without a car inconvenient.
  • Occasional property offenses such as overnight vehicle rummaging.
  • Limited nighttime entertainment options beyond local bars and casual dining.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent throughout the area, with no permanent street encampments or shelters located nearby.

What Great Kills-Eltingville is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Very safe and calm, with locals commuting at rail stations and walking dogs through residential blocks.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
Pleasant and active along shopping corridors and at the harbor with zero safety concerns.
Evening · 5p – 10p
Quiet, relaxed suburban vibe as families and patrons visit neighborhood restaurants.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Streets become dark and largely deserted, but remains exceptionally safe and peaceful.

Transit, parking and getting around

The MTA Staten Island Railway serves the area via Great Kills and Eltingville stations, with direct connections to the St. George Ferry, supplemented by express bus routes (SIM1, SIM5, SIM8) into Manhattan.

Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with free on-street parking on almost every residential road and dedicated parking lots at major shopping plazas.

Things to do in Great Kills-Eltingville

  • Walk the beach trails, marina promenade, and open green space at Great Kills Park.
  • Pick up authentic Italian cold cuts, fresh ravioli, and pastries along Amboy Road.
  • Enjoy casual waterfront dining and boat-watching at Great Kills Harbor.

Local favorites

  • Marina Cafe · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (1820)
    Waterfront dining staple offering fresh seafood, harbor views, and outdoor tiki bar seating.
  • Pastosa Ravioli · Italian Specialty Market · 4.7★ (680)
    Beloved neighborhood shop famous for handcrafted fresh ravioli, imported cheeses, and prepared Italian dishes.
  • Cole's Dockside · Seafood / American · 4.4★ (920)
    Laid-back harbor spot serving lobster rolls, fried clams, and classic cocktails with dockside views.

Neighborhoods near Great Kills-Eltingville

More: all Staten Island neighborhoods · safest neighborhoods in New York

Common questions about Great Kills-Eltingville

Is Great Kills-Eltingville safe to walk at night?

Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.

Is Great Kills-Eltingville a good place to live?

On safety, Great Kills-Eltingville scores 89/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.

How walkable is Great Kills-Eltingville?

Walk score 54/100 and bike score 42/100. Some errands can be done on foot.

Which areas near Great Kills-Eltingville are safer?

Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights (93), Arden Heights-Rossville (92), Annadale-Huguenot-Prince's Bay-Woodrow (92) score higher nearby.

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