It's probably the most residential of the 5 boroughs, although there are a few sections, like Stapleton, with lower income apartment buildings. Most people consider Staten Island to be more an extension of North Jersey than part of NYC, given its proximity to Jersey (through the Goethals and Outer Bridges). It's also the only borough to consistently vote Republican.

Is it nicer? Well, I have to admit, some of the mansions are absolutely gorgeous, and it is the wiseguy capital of NYC , so they're probably not going to welcome change or any of the "new" immigrants. But in all fairness, I live in a similar section up in the Bronx (Country Club/Throggs Neck).

It's the natural "next step" for the upwardly mobile Russians of Brighton Beach, given that the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is just a stone's throw away.

That'll be 50 cents for the geography and background lessons, Lilo.