Where are good places to live on long island
Long Island is easily one of New York's best-loved places to live and play. The city's suburban island is further divided into great neighborhoods for everyone from millennial to young families and retirees. These neighborhoods range from communities with quiet tree-lined streets to bustling downtown to beachfront properties. Long Island encompasses Nassau and Suffolk counties in southeastern New York State. Its neighborhoods stretch east from NYC out to Jones Beach State Park, the wineries of North Fork, and the hamlets of the Hampton's in South Fork. And if you must commute to the city, several are within minutes of mass transit. Let this list of great Long Island neighborhoods help you pick the perfect one for you. 1. Smithtown The Smithtown neighborhood ranks high in desirability for young families and professionals. The tree-lined streets give the neighborhood a picturesque look and family-friendly atmosphere. The commute to Manhattan is 90 minutes by car, and the Smithtown (Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) offers parking. Families with children will appreciate the quality and convenience of the Smithtown School District with eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. With a median home price of $475,000 and a median income of 110,000, Smithtown is an affluent neighborhood yet affordable for professionals beginning new careers. Residents enjoy the outdoors at the 543-acre Caleb Smith State Park featuring trails, stunning scenery, and historic sites. Or you can go to Blydenburg County Park to paddle and fish on the Nissequoque River. You'll also have easy access to the Hamptons and the North Fork vineyards. 2. Massapequa Situated in Nassau County, the Massapequa neighborhood appeals to everyone from young families to retirees. The town borders the Massapequa River with a variety of nature-based activities from pristine hiking trails to one of Long Island's most popular fishing spots. For families with children, the Massapequa School District has high-ranking schools with exceptional educational programs. They're ranked among the top 100 by Niche.com. These programs are recognized for preparing students to excel in several career areas. With an average income of $123,000 (double that of the nation), this neighborhood is a little more affluent than Smithtown. Homes often sell for over a half-million, but more affordable ones can be found. Generally, the closer to the water home is, the more expensive. 3. Greenport Appealing to young professionals and families, Greenport is easily one of the best neighborhoods in Suffolk County and possibly all of Long Island. The low crime rate ranks it as also one of the safest. Greenport is located on the North Fork and was first settled in 1652 as a protected harbor for shipbuilding and whaling. It's still a bustling harbor filled with hundreds of watercraft from modest fishing boats to fancy yachts. It's the last stop on the LIRR, has its train station, and is a four-hour trip to NYC. The homes are in a suburban setting with the downtown area featuring plenty of restaurants, trendy boutique shops, and places for young professionals. Some of the area's best vineyards are close by, making it popular with wine aficionados. Residents here like to ferry over to Shelter Island where they can relax at beaches and golf courses or explore the wetlands and forests. Homes in Greenport average around $600,000. Around half of the residents rent apartments at an average of $1,500 per month. The neighborhood is served by the high-ranking Greenport Union School District. 4. Bellmore Bellmore is a peaceful hamlet on the South Shore of Nassau County. The charming waterfront neighborhood is 45 minutes from Penn Station and popular with commuters and families. With Manhattan nearby and Jones Beach only five miles away, Bellmore stays busy with concerts, special events, and activities for kids and families. Bellmore is one of New York's most exclusive neighborhoods. Homes go for an average of $500,000 with some selling for as much as $750,000 or more. However, depending on location and size, you can find homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range. The average household income is $125,000 per year. The schools in Bellmore include the popular John F. Kennedy High school, recognized as one of the top schools statewide and nationally. The school offers a variety of courses of study including culinary arts. Graduates easily get accepted at Ivy League colleges. 5. Plainview Situated near the North Shore in Nassau County's Oyster Bay, this Long Island neighborhood is anything but plain. Lovely green spaces, cafes, and coffee shops make it popular with retirees, families, and professionals. The neighborhood has easy access to the Long Island Expressway and mass transit about five miles away. Working in NYC will be an easy commute. With low crime rates and excellent schools, families with children are drawn to Plainview. The affluent neighborhood has a quiet, suburban feel. Residents enjoy hanging out in nearby Borello Fields, Manetto Hills Park, and Plainview-Old Bethpage Park. Plainview's population is around 26,000. The median home price is $497,300, and most residents own their homes. 6. Wantagh Wantagh has a quiet suburban feel and features lots of amenities such as coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. The neighborhood is at a crossroads of sorts with easy access to the Sunrise Highway, Merrick Road, Wantagh State Parkway and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway. Families with children will be served by the only school district in the state with every school recognized as a National School of Excellence. The schools are under the jurisdiction of the Wantagh Union Free School District and include three elementary schools, Wantagh High School, and Wantagh Middle School. Some of the outer parts of the neighborhood are served by the North Bellmore Union Free School District, the Seaford Union Free School District, and the Levittown School District. Wantagh is one of the more affordable Long Island Neighborhoods. The average home price is $494,100. 7. Roslyn Located in Nassau County on the North Shore, this is one of the more affluent Long Island neighborhoods. Roslyn was once a little village called Hampstead Harbor. It was renamed after Scotland's Roslyn Castle in 1844. The town has a nice layout with large, beautiful homes. Most homes are in the $750,000 to one million range with a few available for around $500,000. The Greater Roslyn area reaches out to include East Hill, flower Hill, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Harbor. Commuters can get to Manhattan in minutes by train from the Roslyn station, and midtown is 40 minutes away by car. An excellent early childhood center makes Roslyn popular for families with young children. Older students have some of the highest SAT scores in the state. The Roslyn Union Free School District has a lower enrollment than many other Long Island schools so students get more individual attention. The district includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There are lots more great neighborhoods to explore on Long Island. This list is a good sampling of what to expect living in the suburbs around New York City. Excellent schools, family events, efficient public transportation, and outdoor activities create the perfect lifestyle. You're sure to find a Long Island neighborhood you'll fall in love with.
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