Roosevelt Island is a strange place, so near NYC yet so isolated from NYC. However, the times I have been there it seemed to be a nice place with plenty of great and friendly people. Almost like in small town in the middle of Metropolis.
It (Roosevelt Island) used to be where the Island of Manhattan sent all its mental cases... now the loons are living on the Upper East & West Sides and over at 229 W. 43rd Street.