Is Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights safe?
Staten Island, New York · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights
“Go. This cluster of Staten Island hilltop enclaves represents some of the safest and most affluent residential territory in New York City. Visitors will encounter serene, winding, wooded streets with negligible violent crime, though having access to a private vehicle is essential.”
About the area
Encompassing the highest natural elevations in the five boroughs, this area is defined by grand single-family estates, lush greenbelts, and quiet suburban residential pockets. It offers historic landmarks like the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art alongside panoramic natural hilltop scenery.
- Quiet Residential
- Affluent Estates
- Wooded / Nature
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 22/100
Citi Bike is not available in these hilltop neighborhoods, and the steep grades, narrow winding roads, and lack of dedicated bike lanes make road cycling physically demanding, though off-road trail riding is accessible nearby in the Greenbelt.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent and property crime rates compared to city and national benchmarks
- High median household incomes well exceeding $130,000 with very low poverty rates below 5%
- Well-maintained, low-density housing stock with predominant owner-occupancy
- Proximity to the expansive Staten Island Greenbelt trail system
Cons
- Extreme car dependency with minimal walkability and few commercial amenities
- Narrow, winding, and hilly roads that often lack sidewalks or adequate street lighting
- Occasional isolated property offenses such as vehicle break-ins or package theft
- Limited public transit connectivity compared to the rest of NYC
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in these secluded, exclusively residential hilltop neighborhoods. There are no shelters or encampments in the immediate vicinity.
What Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with residential commuters, joggers, and school traffic along main arteries.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and tranquil with negligible foot traffic and easy navigation on local residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe, though steep streets and minimal street lighting make reflective gear advisable for walkers.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet and safe from street crime, though dark, winding roads warrant cautious driving.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by MTA New York City Transit, primarily through local and express bus routes (such as the S74, S54, and SIM express buses to Manhattan); the Staten Island Railway (SIR) stops along Richmond Road like Grasmere or Dongan Hills are a 1.5 to 2.5-mile drive downhill.
Street parking is overwhelmingly free, plentiful, and easy to find along residential curb space, with no parking meters or commercial garages needed in the neighborhood.
Things to do in Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights
- Tour the historic Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art and its rustic Himalayan-style grounds
- Hike the scenic nature trails across the Staten Island Greenbelt and High Rock Park
- Visit the historic Staten Island Light (Lighthouse Hill) overlooking Lower New York Bay
Local favorites
- Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art · Museum · 4.7★ (320)A serene hillside museum and meditation garden housing an extensive collection of Tibetan art.
- Bocelli Ristorante · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (510)An upscale, classic Italian dining destination known for traditional pasta dishes and white-tablecloth service.
- Royal Crown Bakery · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1280)A beloved regional Italian bakery famous for artisanal breads, cannoli, espresso, and specialty sandwiches.
Neighborhoods near Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights
- New Dorp-Midland Beach · Staten Island84
- Westerleigh-Castleton Corners · Staten Island90
- Oakwood-Richmondtown · Staten Island89
- Grasmere-Arrochar-South Beach-Dongan Hills · Staten Island84
- New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis · Staten Island86
- West New Brighton-Silver Lake-Grymes Hill · Staten Island76
More: all Staten Island neighborhoods · safest neighborhoods in New York
Common questions about Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights
Is Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights a good place to live?
On safety, Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights scores 93/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights?
Walk score 28/100 and bike score 22/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights are safer?
Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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