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What to consider when moving to Long Island

long island movers

One of the nicest areas to live in the state of New York is Long Island, which encompasses four counties and is flanked by the Long Island Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, the New York Bay, and the East River. The weather is often pleasant here all year long, which is great for outdoor enthusiasts. And while though many Long Islanders commute to New York City for work, there are still a ton of excellent career possibilities that draw young professionals and families. In fact, Long Island is home to Northwell Health, the largest healthcare organization in New York, as well as multiple Fortune 500 corporations.

You might be thinking about relocating to Long Island.

Long Island, NY, at a Glance

  • Long Island covers a total size of around 1,400 square miles.
  • The predicted population of Long Island in 2023 will be slightly more than 8,000,000.
  • The Long Island region’s median age is about 42 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions – Living in Long Island, NY

Is it a smart idea to reside on Long Island?

Long Island is an excellent area to live with a lower average cost of living than NYC, tons of entertaining outdoor activities, a focus on art and music, and tons of fantastic food options, among many other advantages.

Is living on Long Island affordable?

Depending on where you live and how you live, living expenses will vary, but Long Island is by no means an inexpensive place to live. Although it is slightly higher than the national average, Long Island has much lower living expenses than New York City!

Is living in Long Island or NYC more affordable?

Living on Long Island can be pretty pricey, but it’s far more affordable than in some parts of NYC, especially in Manhattan.

How much income do I need to generate in Long Island to live comfortably?

For a full-time working adult on Long Island without children, the estimated living income is just over $43,000, while the projected living pay for two working parents with three kids is just under $176,000. However, how you define “comfortable” will vary depending on your personal preferences.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Long Island, New York?

The median household income in New York is $72,100, whereas the national average is $65,700. According to a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four on Long Island would require $11,629 in monthly income (or $139,545 yearly) to live comfortably.

Is moving to Long Island, New York, worth it?

Long Island is an excellent area to live with a lower average cost of living than NYC, tons of entertaining outdoor activities, a focus on art and music, and tons of fantastic food options, among many other advantages.

Is living on Long Island affordable?

Although there are many things about Long Island that are well-known, such as its stunning beaches, historical monuments, lighthouses, and the Gold Coast, affordability is not one of them. The cost of living in the United States is among the highest in Long Island, however it greatly varies depending on where you live.

13 of the most important things you should be aware of before you go

1. Living expenses in Long Island

Long Island’s cost of living is 47% higher than the national average, at 147 (the U.S. average is 100). On the other hand, the cost of living in New York City is 87% higher than the national average, making it a relative bargain.

2. Opportunities for Education in Long Island

The public schools on Long Island are among the best in the nation. In fact, it has been claimed that its funding and effectiveness contributed to the region’s high property taxes.

Over 83% of kids at Great Neck Public Schools are proficient or above in reading and math, making them some of the best. Additionally, the schools are highly safe and sanitary, and they constantly give their children a top-notch education.

After completing their secondary education, some students may choose to commute to New York City to enroll in colleges like Columbia or NYU. However, Long Island is home to many excellent colleges, such as Stony Brook University and Hofstra University.

3. Pros and Cons of Living in Long Island

Pros of Living in Long Island

  • Long Island residents can easily commute to NYC whenever they need to with this excellent mode of transportation.
  • Long Island’s job economy is expanding steadily and includes sectors including manufacturing, movies, and internet access.
  • There are always enjoyable things to do on Long Island, from taking in the local culture to appreciating art and music.

Cons of Living in Long Island

  • Property taxes can be fairly expensive, depending on where you purchase your home.
  • There are some locations where traffic is known to be backed up, particularly along the Long Island Expressway.
  • Long Island is susceptible to natural calamities like tropical cyclones because of its coastal location.

4. Long Island Crime Rates

Fun fact: In fact, Long Island boasts some of the lowest crime rates in the country! For instance, the crime rates in Nassau County are as follows:

  • Property crime: 15.9 (versus 35.4 U.S. average)
  • Violent crime: 7.6 (versus 22.7 U.S. average)

Suffolk County is almost as impressive:

  • Property crime: 23.1 (versus 35.4 U.S. average)
  • Violent crime: 8.2 (versus 22.7 U.S. average)

5. The Housing Market in Long Island

Long Island has many wealthy ZIP Codes, yet it might not necessarily be that tough to find affordable houses there. Long Island has a large number of towns, villages, and hamlets, so you have many possibilities when looking for a house within your price range. Long Island’s median home price is $510,000. But how much do one-bedroom apartments in Long Island typically cost? Depending on the part of Long Island you’re interested in, that differs greatly. As an illustration, the average in Long Island City is almost $4,200, although it is almost $1,000 less—$3,100—in Long Beach.

6. Long Island’s top places to live

Bellmore

Bellmore is the place to live if you enjoy beach views and are searching for a residence on Long Island. It offers excellent public schools, a practical downtown, and a short commute to New York City. The Great Kills area in New York City is similar because of its fantastic seaside vistas. Additionally, the cost of living is comparable. In Bellmore, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs $1,800 a month to rent.

Smithtown

Long Island’s Smithtown is an excellent place to live because of its abundance of shopping areas and close access to the Long Island Rail Road. Additionally, it has a superb school system and relatively reasonable housing costs. Are you familiar with Prospect Heights and Park Slope in New York City? Both of these neighborhoods share qualities that are enjoyable and family-friendly. However, the typical rent in Smithtown is less expensive, coming in at little under $3,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Herricks

Herricks is regarded as a fantastic place to live since it has a small-town atmosphere while being close enough to big cities to allow inhabitants to partake in a variety of enjoyable activities. Additionally, there are lots of attractions close by, including parks, beaches, and museums. The schools in Herricks are likewise regarded as good! The NYC neighborhood of Harlem, which offers family-friendly activities, has characteristics with schools that are above average. Additionally, the typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment, which is roughly $2,100 per month, is comparable.

7. The Fun Nightlife Scene on Long Island

Long Island’s nightlife culture does not disappoint, as there are many popular spots with music, dancing, and delicious beverages! Some of our favorites are as follows:

  • Dublin Deck Tiki Bar and Grill: What more could you want than a nightclub with a tropical theme on the water?
  • Jax Cocktail Lounge: A cozy bar atmosphere featuring darts, jukeboxes, and a wide variety of beverages.
  • Le Caire Lounge: A luxurious hookah lounge with a patio in the backyard so you can continue the celebration outside.

8. Public Transportation on Long Island

To get around Long Island, there are three bus lines available. The Nassau Inter-County Express, which offers transportation within and outside of Nassau County, is the first. The Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART) and Suffolk County Transit are the other two. Residents can go to New York City using the Long Island Rail Road as well. However, Long Island boasts some wonderful expressways and parkways that will get you wherever you need to go if none of the current public transit options work.

9. Weather on Long Island

Long Island has a warm continental climate that is classified as humid subtropical. As a result, it has warm summers with moderate temperatures and milder seasons in the spring and fall.

Due to the calming ocean winds, the South Shore of Long Island is frequently cooler than the rest of the area. And thanks to its coastal location, Long Island’s winters are luckily far more bearable than they are elsewhere in New York.

Did you realize? The Atlantic Ocean’s moderating forces have caused the majority of significant storms to dissipate, although tropical cyclones might yet impact the Long Island region. When Hurricane Sandy reached the region, this is what happened on Long Island, and the storm severely damaged many of the coastal areas.

10. The Long Island Job Market

Even though Long Island’s economy is less than that of New York City, it has continued to expand in recent years. In fact, the Long Island region has witnessed growth in some industries that have been losing jobs across the nation, like manufacturing. Long Island’s other industries are also developing, including film and photography at businesses like Canon USA and even internet and phone service at Altice USA.

But Long Island’s economy is based on the growth of small enterprises. Nearly 80% of the local businesses have fewer than 10 employees as of 2021, including child care facilities, law offices, and medical facilities.

11. Teams for Long Island Sports

Long Island is home to a wide range of sporting facilities that can house a wide range of athletes. One of them is the Fairfield Properties Ballpark, home to the independent professional baseball team Long Island Ducks. The New York Islanders and the Long Island Nets of the NBA are two more major sports franchises in the area.

12. Additional Activities in Long Island

Long Island offers many of entertaining activities, and if you enjoy the arts, you’ll appreciate the region’s many performing arts venues, museums, and art galleries. There are many locations where bands and artists can play if that’s what you desire.

There are several stunning beaches and hiking paths on Long Island to select from if you’re searching for something a little more natural. Lessons for sailing and surfing are also offered on the island.

Favorite local pursuits in the area include:

  • Nassau County Museum of Art
  • African American Museum of Nassau County
  • Jones Beach State Park
  • Fire Island Lighthouse
  • Sands Point Preserve
  • Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum, and Planetarium

13. Best East Coast Cuisine in Long Island

Did you know Long Island is home to hundreds of five-star restaurants, several of which have earned Michelin stars? Yes, you can pick from a wide range of cuisines, including American, Italian, Mexican, and more. The following are a few of the most well-known eateries in the Long Island region:

  • Casa Enrique
  • The Refuge
  • Crabtree’s Restaurant
  • La Plage

Empire Movers Can Assist With Your Long Island, New York Move

Making the decision to relocate to Long Island can be simple, but it might also necessitate some extra assistance. Because of this, you ought to think about utilizing a portable moving container from PODS. They may even put you in touch with nearby packing and loading services while delivering a container to your door, where you can load it at your convenience.

When you’re prepared to relocate, the container will be brought to your ideal Long Island home, but if required, you can store it in a storage facility until then.

Moving to Long Island

As with any place you move, Long Island has its pros and cons. If you want to have a bit more space than a cramped 200 square foot apartment in New York City, but don’t want to be too far away from everything it has to offer, then it might be a great choice. Plus, Long Island has plenty of its own amenities with the added bonus of beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and generally mild weather throughout the year.

Of course, it’s not without its downsides. You’ll have to deal with incredibly high property and sales taxes. The cost of living is also higher than in New York City itself. Plus, while the weather tends to be mild, there is the possibility of it getting hit by severe weather such as tropical storms, blizzards, and flooding. Then, of course, there’s the traffic and commute. If you work in the city, like the thousands of others, you’ll have to deal with crowded trains, horrible road traffic, and more.

If Long Island sounds like the perfect place for you, try to find local Long Island movers to help you into your new home. They’ll know the area and have experience with your specific type of move whether you’re moving from New York City or New Jersey.

What to consider when moving to Long Island