Check Out the 10 Best Long Island Neighborhoods and Suburbs

Aside from being home to an abundance of green parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, Long Island neighborhoods are known for picturesque homes, great school districts, and efficient transportation.

Planning a move to Long Island? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

The outdoor fun, in particular, is never ending when living on Long Island, with so many places available for residents to explore. Jones Beach State Park, North Hempstead Beach Park, and Belmont Park are some standouts, while other places like the Planting Fields Arboretum and Old Westbury Gardens are great for exploring the outdoor flora and fauna in the area.

And whether you are a retiree looking for a new place to call home, a young professional, or raising a family, Long Island is home to all different walks of life. There are several Fortune 500 companies in the area, as well as Northwell Health, which is currently the state’s largest healthcare provider.  

Q: What is a Long Island hamlet? A: When researching Long Island, you’re likely to hear the word “hamlet” come up a lot, but no, locals aren’t referring to a Shakespeare play. A hamlet is an unincorporated area or a community with official boundaries or government. While towns may be divided into hamlets, hamlets may be divided into Long Island neighborhoods. What’s that look like by the numbers? In Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk counties, there are a total of 13 towns, 2 cities, 97 villages, and 173 hamlets.

Housing Prices in Long Island 

The median home sale price in Long Island is $720,000, compared to the national average of $427,500. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Long Island will cost you around $3,100.

Q: What is the cheapest part of Long Island to live in? A: With an average home value of just over $582,700, Ronkonkoma is one of the cheaper parts of Long Island.

10 of the Best Areas To Live in Long Island, NY 

From Long Island neighborhoods to towns to villages, there’s a place to live that’s comfortable for anyone. A standout quality of Long Island is the family-friendly and tight-knit communities, along with the magnificent homes, schools, and relatively easy commutes to larger metropolitan areas such as NYC. If you’re planning an upcoming move to Long Island but still not sure where to live, check out some of these popular Long Island neighborhoods, towns, and villages! 

Q: What is the richest town in Long Island? A: With an average home value of more than 3.3 million dollars, the town of North Haven is considered one of the richest towns in Long Island.

Home to more than 337,000 people, Islip is one of the best cities on Long Island.
(Source: Matthew Arnold, Long Island Real Estate via Facebook)

1. Islip

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,900
• Average home value: $613,600
• Great for: Families, young professionals, beaches, good schools, nightlife, fun activities

Those looking for a place to live without the hustle and bustle of bigger cities should choose Islip, which is a laid-back Long Island town. It's also near the beach, which makes it an ideal location for surfers and people who love basking in the sun!

Even though it's thought of as a predominantly family-oriented suburb with good schools, Islip is also one of the Long Island neighborhoods that appeals to younger professionals. The town's nightlife is booming, and during the summer, there's always something fun happening nearby. Check out Irish pub The Harp and Hound for live music and trivia nights (or to watch the game) and grab a stout or some fish and chips. 

Q: Where is the best place to live in Long Island? A: Great Neck and Dix Hills are some of the best places to live on Long Island, according to Niche’s 2024 rankings of Long Island neighborhoods. Other top spots to check out on our list include Plainview in Nassau County and Stony Brook in Suffolk County.

 

2. Cold Spring Harbor 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,125
• Average home value: $1.6M
• Great for: Young professionals, families, beautiful homes, outdoor activities, restaurants, commuters

Located in the heart of Long Island's whaling industry, the hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor was established in the 1860s. It was named after the area's many freshwater springs. As the whaling industry ended, wealthy individuals and vacationers started building massive homes in this area, which served as the catalyst for the eventual development of a more exclusive community.

The Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) line at the southern part of Cold Spring Harbor connects people to New York City in under an hour. There are also various local restaurants in the area that are highly regarded, such as Sandbar and The Gourmet Whaler.

Q: What areas are considered Long Island? A: The island of Long Island is made up of four counties: Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. While Kings County encompasses the New York burrough of Brooklyn, and Queens County is the NYC borough of Queens, what you think of when you hear “Long Island” — and the Long Island neighborhoods and Long Island suburbs we’re talking about here — is really made up of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

 

Plainview is a hamlet in the Nassau County town of Oyster Bay and is not only one of the best Long Island neighborhoods, but also one of the best places to raise a family in New York. 
(Source: Allison Rosenbloom, Douglas Elliman Real Estate via Facebook)

3. Plainview 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,050
• Average home value: $893,200
• Great for: Retirees, parks, outdoor activities, good schools, low crime, commutes

Plainview is not just any ordinary suburban community, even though it may sound that way judging by the name. The hamlet is a top-rated area that boasts excellent school systems and affluence, with plenty of lush parks and a low crime rate. These qualities make Plainview one of the best Long Island neighborhoods to raise a family.

People who commute to New York City love living in Plainview, primarily because it's situated next to the Long Island Expressway and only five miles from the town's mass transit system.

4. Merrick

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,600
• Average home value: $808,300
• Great for: Young professionals, families, beautiful homes, nightclubs, beach activities, commutes

The hamlet of Merrick is known for its beautiful homes — and even a couple celebrities! The South Shore lifestyle is what people think of when they think of Long Island. This area is full of bars — check out The Rabbit Hole and Bourbon & Brews — beach activities, and sun.

If you're looking for a place that has a top-rated school system, Merrick's is among the best in Long Island. Need to commute to NYC? Take the 45-minute train ride on the LIRR to get to Penn Station.

Though initially intended as a tourist destination, the hamlet of Stony Brook has quickly become a prominent college town in the Long Island area.
(Source: Gabriele Guerra - Real Estate Salesperson via Facebook)

5. Stony Brook 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,150
• Average home value: $717,300
• Great for: College students, retirees, recreational activities

Although this town was initially intended as a tourist destination, the hamlet of Stony Brook has quickly become a prominent college town in the Long Island area. While living in Stony Brook, it's common to run into a couple SUNY Stony Brook students while out and about. 

As far as things to do in the area go, Avalon Park is a great place to go for fun recreational activities. Lots of fun events also take place in the area, including the Shirley Strum Kenny Arts Festival, which celebrates culture through arts and music.

6. Smithtown 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,075
• Average home value: $742,000
• Great for: Families, close community, small businesses, craft beer 

About 50 miles from New York City is where you can find the suburb of Smithtown, which is commonly referred to as "Main Street America." Although it's quite a big area, this town still has a strong sense of community.

There are plenty of small businesses and restaurants that are known for their local culture and good food. One of the most popular places is Tap & Barrel, which has a huge selection of craft beer — over 50 different kinds, in fact!

Great Neck is a village on Long Island's North Shore that's known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to New York City.
(Source: Roya Cohen at VORO PRO Real Estate via Facebook)

7. Great Neck 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,800
• Average home value: $1.4M
• Great for: Young professionals, beaches, thriving commercial district, restaurants, commutes 

Great Neck is a village on Long Island's North Shore that's known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to New York City. It's also one of the first places you can stop on the Gold Coast. There are all kinds of safe neighborhoods in the area, and the property sizes vary depending on where you want to live.

The Great Neck Road and Middle Neck Road intersection is a commercial district that's full of local restaurants, including Cafe Kirza and the Great Neck Diner. Need to commute to a larger city like Manhattan? The Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station is nearby and can get you there in approximately 40 minutes.

8. Ronkonkoma 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $492,000
• Average home value: $2,500
• Great for: Young professionals, restaurants, parks, outdoor activities, lake activities

Ronkonkoma is quite the charming Long Island hamlet that's home to the notable MacArthur Airport and has very close access to public transit. Because of the area it's in, a variety of airline professionals and commuters choose to live here.

The area around Ronkonkoma is known for its great restaurants — if you're a fan of food, then you'll love this place. There are also plenty of parks nearby, which provide the perfect environment for outdoor activities. Lake Ronkonkoma is the best place to hang out for the most beautiful views!

Situated in the center of Long Beach Barrier Island, Long Beach is one of the best Long Island neighborhoods if water views and instant beach access are important to you.
(Source: Paul Gold Real Estate via Facebook)

9. Long Beach 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,275
• Average home value: $812,100
• Great for: Young professionals, retirees, variety of housing options, outdoor activities, restaurants

Long Beach is an oceanfront city that's located right in the center of Long Beach Barrier Island. It's ideal for people who want to live in a beach house or condominium, such as single professionals or retirees.

This area features high-rise condominiums that provide magnificent views of the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. And inland, you will find Cape Cods, split ranch homes, and Georgian-style homes.

The Park Avenue District area is where local residents enjoy a variety of activities and great places to eat. Some of the most popular restaurants in this area include Anchor Tavern and the LB Social.

10. Baxter Estates 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,800
• Average home value: $1.0M
• Great for: Families, retirees, laid-back atmosphere, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, commutes

The Village of Baxter Estates is situated near major highways, making it ideal for commuters, such as those working in major cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. Its small-town charm, great amenities, and friendly atmosphere make it an ideal place to call home.

Residents of this area can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere along with a variety of great restaurants (check out Finn MacCool’s), shops, and art galleries within its proximity. Schools in Baxter Estates are also highly regarded.

Q: What is the safest city in Long Island, New York? A: Crime rates in areas such as Kensington and Plainview are up to 87 percent below the island’s average.

Make Your Move to One of These Long Island Neighborhoods With PODS

After finding your ideal Long Island home, PODS can help you with the process that many dread the most: moving your stuff there. They will deliver a portable storage and moving container right to your current residence that can be delivered to your new home once you are ready. One month's storage is included in every move, so you can take advantage of not having to feel rushed.

If you’re moving from a big city like NYC, you can also take advantage of the company's City Service!

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.