Considering moving to Long Island? Spanning four counties, Long Island makes up part of New York City‘s harbor and the southern border of Long Island Sound. Home to one of the oldest commuter railroads in America, famed Long Island Iced Tea, and the Belmont Stakes, Long Island is a fantastic place to call home. Here are 14 things to know about life on Long Island!
Long Island at a Glance
- Long Island’s population is about 8.1 million people.
- Long Island is known for its historic Gold Coast mansions that inspired The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
- Located on New York State’s southeastern tip, Long Island is the largest contiguous island in the U.S., stretching east from New York City into the Atlantic.
- Montauk’s Deep Hollow Ranch is America’s oldest cattle ranch and the birthplace of the “American cowboy.”
- Long Island is widely credited with originating the modern convenience store coffee cup.
Get to Know Long Island’s Four Counties
Long Island is bigger than most people realize. Affectionately known as “Strong Island” by residents, it’s a 1,400-square-mile island jutting off the coast of New York City. This “long” island lives up to its name—at 120 miles long and only 23 miles across at its widest point, it’s the largest island connected to the contiguous United States. With an estimated population of about 8.1 million, Long Island accounts for over one-third of New York State’s population! While there is a neighborhood in Queens named Long Island City, it’s just one of the many areas that make up Long Island—including dozens of cities, towns, and hamlets spread across four counties. Kings County covers the Brooklyn area, while Queens County covers Queens. Although they’re both boroughs of New York City, they’re technically located on Long Island. Nassau County and Suffolk County are the suburban counties of Long Island, with each containing smaller villages, hamlets, and towns—including the popular New York vacation spot, The Hamptons, in the south fork of Suffolk County. Long Island’s North and South shores each offer a distinct lifestyle. Characterized by rolling hills, sheltered harbors, and rich history, the North Shore delivers classic, quiet elegance, while the South Shore offers oceanfront beaches and dynamic waterfront living. Whether you crave a coastal escape, a small-town community, or quick city access, Long Island delivers it all.
Q: Is North Shore or South Shore Long Island better?
A: The North Shore is known for a quieter, more traditional feel and historic architecture, while the South Shore offers more bustling beachside living. Which one is right for you depends on your preferred lifestyle and budget.
Find Quality Living at Every Price Point on Long Island
While Long Island is home to some of the wealthiest zip codes in the state, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for New York families or young professionals on a budget to live here. With 13 towns and 95 different villages, Long Island offers a range of price points to fit different lifestyles. Housing costs in Roosevelt are only slightly higher than the New York State median, and around 71% of residents own their homes. North Bellport is another area with relatively affordable housing on Long Island, with a median home price of $552,066—plus, North Bellport’s unemployment rate is lower than both the national and New York average at 2.9%. For first-time homebuyers, Levittown and Lindenhurst see slightly higher costs, but also have significantly higher homeownership rates than the national average. And though home prices are high in Massapequa, it’s a family-friendly Long Island area known for its safety, low unemployment, and excellent public schools—Massapequa High School even has a graduation rate of 99%.
Q: Is Long Island expensive?
A: Long Island can be an expensive place to live, but it also has several affordable areas. The cost of living on Long Island varies drastically depending on lifestyle factors and the town, hamlet, or village you choose.
Build a Career with Top Long Island Companies
Over one million Long Island residents commute into New York City for work—but there are also plenty of great job opportunities on the island in major industries like healthcare and social assistance, professional and business services, finance, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Finance and technology professionals can find careers with Fintech company Broadridge Financial Solutions, while those in healthcare distribution will appreciate that Fortune 500 company Henry Schein has its corporate headquarters on the island. Medical professionals have even more to choose from, with Northwell Health—New York’s largest healthcare provider—headquartered on Long Island alongside opportunities at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Long Island is also home to the headquarters of companies like Canon USA, Optimum, and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.
Q: Who is the largest employer on Long Island?
A: Long Island’s largest employer is Northwell Health, an extensive healthcare network that employs over 100,000 people across the region.
Utilize Long Island Public Transportation
With so many Long Islanders commuting to the Big Apple, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of great public transit options for getting around the island and beyond. The most popular option among Long Island commuters is the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)—the busiest railroad in North America—which carries about 250,000 customers on its 947 trains each weekday. If you’re driving, you can use one of the many bridges or tunnels that connect Long Island to the mainland, or take your mind off the drive for a bit by hopping on the Cross Sound Ferry for a scenic ride from Long Island’s Orient Point to New London, CT, on the mainland. If you’re working and living on Long Island, bus lines like the Nassau Inter-County Express and Suffolk County Transit provide convenient transportation throughout most of the area. And if you want to travel to destinations throughout the region, across the country, or internationally, book flights through Long Island MacArthur Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or JFK International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
Q: Do you need a car on Long Island?
A: Most residents of Long Island prefer to depend on cars for their daily errands, but there are public transportation options like the LIRR and bus system for those who need to utilize them.
Attend Incredible Long Island Universities
Students living on Long Island can commute to great Manhattan universities like NYU or Columbia, but there are also plenty of great universities on Long Island. Apply for one of the best undergraduate insurance programs in the nation at St. John’s University in Queens. Cultivate your creativity with a degree in Architecture, Graphic Design, or Illustration at Pratt Institute‘s Brooklyn campus. Major in Health Services, Business, or Psychology at Stony Brook University. Choose from undergraduate programs like Biology and Business or pursue a graduate degree in Nursing at Adelphi University, an award-winning university. Become a Shark at Long Island University, which offers amazing pharmacy programs—or join LIU’s global campus to study in eight countries across eight semesters. Or pursue a degree in Radio and Television, Finance, or Accounting at Hofstra University.
Q: What are the best Long Island colleges?
A: Stony Brook University is one of the best public universities in New York, and Adelphi University is widely recognized as the highest-ranked private university in the region. Other standout options include Hofstra University for law and business and Molloy University for nursing.
Stroll Through Long Island Museums
Long Island is full of interesting art, history, and science museums! Head to eastern Long Island to visit the Montauk Lighthouse, New York State’s oldest lighthouse. Attend a lecture series, learn about famous shipwrecks in the area, or attend the annual Halloween boat-burning ceremony at the Long Island Maritime Museum. Explore AR, VR, 3D printing, and other interactive STEAM-oriented exhibits at the Long Island Science Center. Admire the night sky at the observatory, or consider enrolling your kids in a hands-on museum workshop at the Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum, & Planetarium. Immerse yourself in aviation and military history by watching fully functional historic aircraft take flight at The American Airpower Museum. Learn about African American culture, traditions, and art through exhibits like Black Royals and Women of NASA at the African American Museum of Nassau County. Or walk through the outdoor sculpture garden, attend art classes and workshops, and view rotating art exhibits at the Nassau County Museum of Art.
Q: Why does the Long Island Maritime Museum burn boats?
A: The Long Island Maritime Museum’s annual Halloween boat burning is a fundraising event that gives a ceremonial, Viking-style farewell to historic wooden vessels that are beyond repair, keeping them out of landfills.
Appreciate the Performing Arts on Long Island
With several hamlets, villages, and towns, Long Island is home to incredible performing arts venues that host artists from across the country! See touring musicians, comedians, and tribute bands at The Paramount in Huntington. Enjoy a show at The Suffolk, a restored Art Deco theater in Riverhead. Sign your kids up for educational programs at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center. Get tickets for a classical dance or music exhibition at The Space at Westbury. Host a private event or see a public show from the rafters at Stereo Garden in Patchogue. Catch premiere Broadway shows at The Argyle Theatre in Babylon. Or enter into the Rough Draft Festival or Emerging Choreographer Series at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.
Q: How do I enter into the Rough Draft Festival?
A: To enter the annual Rough Draft Festival by the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), playwrights and theater-makers must submit an application and their work-in-progress via the official online RDF form during the open call from October through mid-December.
Explore Family-Friendly Activities on Long Island
Kids of all ages can enjoy fun in the sun at these Long Island family attractions! Ride the Wave Swing and Sports Tower with your little ones, or send the big kids on the Turbulence Coaster at Adventureland. Bowl, play arcade games, and hit the gel blaster and laser tag courses at Race Play More (RPM). Check out the Touch Tank and Penguin Encounter, or ride the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat at the Long Island Aquarium. Watch a sea lion feeding or visit the Aviary and Wild Side exhibits at the Queens Zoo. Let your kids play and create art with interactive exhibits like Sound Showers and Bubbles at the Long Island Children’s Museum. Walk through the Sensory Garden or enroll your kids in STEAM programs like Little Sparks and Girls Do STEAM at the Long Island Explorium.
Q: What can you do with a toddler at the Long Island Children’s Museum?
A: The Long Island Children’s Museum is highly toddler-friendly, featuring a completely enclosed TotSpot mini-town. Toddlers can also explore immersive sensory exhibits like the interactive Dig Zone! and the crowd-favorite Bubbles gallery.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities on Long Island Year-Round
With mild winters and cool summers, the Long Island climate is perfect for enjoying outdoor recreation all year long! Swim, fish, and explore the boardwalk on the beaches at Jones Beach State Park, Ocean Beach Park, or North Hempstead Beach Park—and spot harbor seals during the winter. Head out to the Hamptons to soak up the sun on world-renowned stretches of sand like Coopers Beach and Main Beach. Hike, camp, and golf during the summer, and cross-country ski during the winter in state parks like Heckscher State Park, Bethpage State Park, and Trail View State Park. Explore the outdoor flora and fauna or tour the estate halls at Planting Fields Arboretum, Bayard Cutting Arboretum, or Old Westbury Gardens. Or dance the weekend away at annual events like the Great South Bay Festival on the outdoor stage at Shorefront Park.
Q: What are popular outdoor winter activities on Long Island?
A: In addition to watching for harbor seals along the shore and cross-country skiing through state parks like Heckscher, Bethpage, and Trail View, Long Island residents can also embrace the season at popular winter events like Bayville Winter Wonderland, Long Island Winterfest, and the Port Jefferson Ice Festival.
Spend Your Summer at Belmont Park
Nestled on the border of Queens and Nassau counties, the 650-acre Belmont Park is one of America’s oldest and most iconic horse racetracks. Opened in 1905, Belmont Park hosts the third and longest leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Immerse yourself in over a century of Belmont history and tradition, taking in magnificent statues, murals, and artwork of notable racehorses throughout the facilities. Head to the Long Island town of Belmont to join in on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and meet world-class racehorses, take photos in the winner’s circle, or enjoy the official Stakes cocktail, The Belmont Jewel.
Q: Who are the most notable Belmont Stakes winners?
A: Secretariat is the most famous Belmont Stakes winner, having won by a record 31 lengths in 1973.
Cheer for Long Island Sports Teams
Long Island lives up to New York’s baseball legacy with a plethora of professional sports teams. Dress warmly when going to a New York Islanders (NHL) hockey game at UBS Arena. Attend a Long Island Nets (NBA G League) basketball game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Cheer on the Long Island Rough Riders men’s (USL2) and women’s (USLW) teams at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Watch tournaments held by the Long Island Golf Association, including the Long Island PGA Championship in the spring. Or enjoy America’s pastime by attending a Long Island Ducks (ALPB) game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark or a New York Mets (MLB) game in Queens at Citi Field.
Q: What are Long Island’s pro sports teams?
A: Long Island’s professional sports teams include:
- New York Islanders (NHL)
- Long Island Nets (NBA G League)
- Long Island Rough Riders (USL2 and USLW)
- Long Island Ducks (ALPB)
- New York Mets (MLB)
Indulge at Long Island Restaurants
There is definitely no shortage of restaurant options when you’re living on Long Island! Sample Long Island seafood like the classic New England Clam Chowder, Grilled Salmon Platter, and Famous Ipswich Clams at Bigelow’s. Savor Mexican cantina dishes like Tostadas de Jaiba, Pozole de Mi Tia, and Mole de Piaxtla at Michelin-rated Mexican cantina Casa Enrique. Visit one of the best Long Island restaurants on Route 110 and try the Sizzling Angry Shrimp, Money Bag Pasta, or Citrus Squash Salad at The Refuge. Buy gourmet meats at the butcher, or enjoy dishes like Thai-Spiced Lamb Chops, Prime New York Strip, or a Korean Chicken Sando from the steakhouse at Off the Block Kitchen & Meats. Grab a family meal to-go, or sit in for amazing Italian food on Long Island like White Truffle Ravioli, Chicken Gismunda, or Potato Crusted Grouper at Crabtree’s Restaurant. Or take a date to try the Pan-Seared Fluke, Pork Osso Bucco, or Pappardelle Pasta while seated beachside at La Plage.
Q: What food is Long Island known for?
A: Some of the best food on Long Island is its fresh seafood and its own high-quality variations of classic New York bagels and pizza at spots like Long Island Bagel Cafe and Umberto’s of New Hyde Park.
Take a Trip to Long Island Wine Country
Long Island Wine Country is concentrated in the North Fork of Suffolk County. Join the Wine Club and try Dr. Dan’s 2023 Gewürztraminer or a Summer Blush at Pindar Vineyards. Visit the Mattituck Tasting Room and partake in an educational tasting series at family-owned and operated Macari Vineyards. Attend Jazz in the Vines and pair Buddy Boy Pizza with your wine selection at Jamesport Vineyards, a Long Island winery with food! Enjoy courtyard tastings while taking in the fresh air at Long Island winery Lenz. Sip your drinks while listening to outdoor live music in The Backyard or stay inside the renovated farmhouse’s tasting room at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard. Try your Long Island wine four ways—by the bottle, can, box, or keg—at Bridge Lane Wine. Or sample the Frizzante or White Pinot Noir at The Winemaker Studio and visit the sustainable Shared Table Farm at Anthony Nappa Wines.
Q: Why are there so many Long Island vineyards?
A: Long Island boasts over 60 wineries today, driven by well-draining soils, a favorable climate for varieties like Merlot and Chardonnay, and legislative boosts like the NY Farm Winery Act of 1976, which streamlined operations and licensing for small producers.
Enjoy Long Island Nightlife
Overlapping part of the City That Never Sleeps, it’s no surprise that life on Long Island includes vibrant nightlife and entertainment. After a long day, head to a happy hour with Latin flair at the Doha Bar & Lounge in Queens. Sing your heart out with Saturday night Karaoke, or compete in classic arcade games on Long Island’s South Shore at The Lizard Lounge. Enjoy live music and learn the history of Long Island speakeasies while sipping signature cocktails like a Bootleggers Old Fashioned, Jailbird, or an Evening in Paris at Charlotte’s Speakeasy. Check out touring comedians and emerging Long Island comedians at the Governor’s Levittown. Try a Hoptical Illusion, Imperial Sunshine, or Toasted Lager at Blue Point Brewing. Unwind with a Vacation Zone Pale Ale or a Squish Fruited Sour at the Long Island City or Rockaway Beach taproom locations of Rockaway Brewing Company. Sip signature brews like the Morticia Imperial Stout, Simple Amber Lager, and Legend Pilsner from Barrier Brewing Co. Or sample cuisine from local food trucks and order beers like the Sunny Storms, Raspberry Ballet, and Suntrippin’ from Fifth Hammer Brewing Company.
Q: What are some fun things to do on Long Island for young adults?
A: For fun on Long Island, you can visit a variety of lively lounges, bars, and breweries to sip unique craft beers, wine, and specialty cocktails. Beyond drinks, you can sing karaoke on Saturday nights and play classic arcade games at The Lizard Lounge, sample local food truck fare at Fifth Hammer, or tour local art galleries.
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