Staten Island Train and buses (Express buses that go into Manhattan also) are all a few blocks away, which also take you to other places around the island, not only into the city.
Guests who want to travel into the city can easily get there by the train then ferry. Expect a $2.metro card fee at the train station in the ferry terminal, but going around Staten Island it's free. The same going back to our place from the ferry only; the fee is both ways. It's a $5.50 round trip to the city this way. It takes about 1 hour to get to downtown Manhattan from us (30 mins on train, 30 mins on ferry). Uptown it depends where you go, but midtown another 30 mins, uptown 30+ mins. People who work in the city do this every day! LOL
There are plenty of places to eat in our neighborhood also. Look up Eltingville in Staten Island and you can search all the food and general stores in the area. Diners, deli stores, restaurants, and fast food. Denny's is a great place for any meal especially breakfast, and the quantities are huge! Several banks and ATMs are located nearby also. Enterprise car rental a few train stops away in Prince's Bay toward Tottenville. Movie theater and Staten Island mall around 8-10 minutes drive.
Visit I Love NY online, and Visit Staten Island online