The Best Towns on Long Island - 2025 Guide
By Sean Creamer on January 01, 2025
Long Island towns attracts homebuyers for many reasons.
Some want the beach lifestyle on the shores of the Great South Bay with a dock for their boat. Other people want a modest starter home close to a Long Island Railroad station so they can easily commute to work.
Regardless of why you want to live on Long Island, there are plenty of small Long Island towns and homes for anyone seeking their place in this slice of New York State.
That is why the team at Prevu Real Estate came together to list several of the best towns on Long Island.
Best towns on Long Island
- Great Neck
- East Meadow
- Oyster Bay
- Long Beach
- Port Washington
- Garden City
- Bellmore
- Roslyn
- Cold Spring Harbor
- Dix Hills
- Ronkonkoma
- Patchogue
- East Hampton
- Shelter Island
Great Neck
Those who want to remain close to NYC but get a taste of living in the 'burbs should look at homes in Great Neck.
This North Shore Long Island town is one of the first stops on the Gold Coast, and it is the closest you can get to NYC without living in Queens. There are several neighborhoods in Great Neck and the property sizes change depending on where you look for a home.
Kensington’s orderly streets are filled with two-story Georgian and Victorian-style homes, all of them enjoying proximity to the LIRR Train.
On the other hand, Great Neck Estates offers large, secluded properties set back from the street.
The intersection of Middle Neck and Great Neck road serves as the commercial district for the town, where locals can stop to dine at favorites like the Great Neck Diner and Cafe Kirza. The Port Washington LIRR station is in this area, and commuters can reach Manhattan within 40 minutes.
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East Meadow
Some parts of Long Island are close to the water, while others are landlocked. East Meadow, NY, is perfect if you want a slice of Long Island's Americana nestled in the suburbs of NYC.
This quaint area is part of the Town of Hempstead and is bounded by the Meadowbrook Parkway to the west, Wantagh Parkway to the east, and Eisenhower Park to the north. Many one to two-story homes sit on modest plots of land, residing in large neighborhoods separated by main roads like East Meadow Avenue and Hempstead Bethpage Turnpike.
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace and Stew Leonard’s are on Hempstead Bethpage Turnpike, in addition to several strip malls. Golfers flock to East Meadow for the three courses at Eisenhower Park, while others enjoy an aquatic center with an Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool.
But you can also head to the East Meadow Bird Sanctuary at the Senator Speno Memorial Park on East Meadow Avenue for a relaxing day. Another plus to living in East Meadow is you are close to Hofstra University and the Nassau Coliseum, so there are plenty of sports to watch on the weekends.
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Oyster Bay
When it comes to living the high life, it is hard to beat the towns of the North Shore. This is especially true if you buy a home in Oyster Bay.
This North Shore town sits at the southern end of the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There are a few homes in town with great views of the Bay, but most of the homes sit in quiet neighborhoods stretching toward Northern Boulevard.
Oyster Bay appeals to people commuting to NYC as it is the final stop of the Oyster Bay branch of the LIRR. The commute takes an hour and a half by train, so folks who only have to go in a few times a month to work benefit from buying a home here.
Near the station, you can find locals hanging out at the intersection of Shore Avenue and South Street, which features neighborhood staples like Oyster Bay Brewing Company, Taby's Burger House, and the Bonanza Stand of Oyster Bay.
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Long Beach
While the North Shore has beautiful views of Long Island's Sound, if you want sprawling beaches with big waves, you should consider buying a home in Long Beach, NY.
Located in the center of the Long Beach Barrier Island, this oceanfront city is ideal for folks who want a big condo on the beach or a home nestled away from the water. The Long Beach Boardwalk stretches west to east across much of the beach, and you can find folks wandering up and down these worn, wooden planks to watch the swimmers and surfers.
This area is where you can find clusters of high-rise condos that provide stellar views of the Atlantic to the south and the Great South Bay to the north. Once you move inland, there are orderly rows of streets where you will find split ranches, two-story Georgian-style homes, and Cape Cods.
Part of what attracts folks to Long Beach is the LIRR train stop on Park Avenue, which delivers riders to Penn Station within an hour.
Park Avenue is also where locals can shop, dine out, and party. The Anchor Tavern is a popular spot for dinner and a drink, but LB Social is where folks go for craft cocktails if they want to go out for the night.
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Port Washington
When it comes to getting out of the city quick to get on the water, you can’t beat the access of Port Washington. At just 45 minutes away from NYC via the Port Washington Branch, people commuting to Manhattan can get to work in a breeze.
Port Washington Boulevard is where you can find residents getting their dry cleaning done or do some grocery shopping, then head out for a bite to eat at local favorites like Ikedo Ramen or Sullivan’s Quay. The LIRR station is only two blocks away, right on Main Street.
Several golf courses and Hempstead Harbor Natural, and Bar Beach area occupy the western coastline of Port Washington. So if you want a waterfront home, you have to look on the eastern shores, where there are large properties with private docks. Yet you can also keep your vessel at the Manhasset bay Yacht Club or Port Washington Yacht Club if you reside further inland.
You can find a mix of Colonial-style homes from the 1960s in southern Port Washington. But if you are looking for contemporary homes or new construction properties, you should check out Port Washington North.
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Learn how you can save when you buy!Garden City
If you are looking for Victorian charm on Long Island, look no further than Garden City.
This historic town built in the late 1860s was one of the first master-planned communities in the United States, featuring planned roads, housing plots, and outdoor garden spaces. Most of the homes built in the area were done in the Victorian-style, and many stand strong to this day on and around 6th Street. But you can find plenty of split ranch homes from the 1960s and Colonials from the ‘70s in the surrounding neighborhoods near the three golf courses in the area.
One of the main haunts in Garden City is 7th Street, where you can grab a coffee from For Five Coffee, then race over to the Garden City LIRR stop on the Hempstead line to catch a ride to Manhattan in 45 minutes. You can also drive ten minutes awaw to the Merillion Avenue stop on the Port Jefferson Line and reach the city in 30 minutes if you are in a rush.
When it comes to shopping, most locals head over to the massive Roosevelt Field Mall on Old Country Road. From Gucci to Apple, there are plenty of designer brands in the mall, while grocery stores and other big-box retailers surround the area around the mall.
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Bellmore
Only some people who move to Long Island want to spend their off days by the water gracing the north and south shores.
Bellmore, NY, is an excellent place to find a home for homebuyers who want waterfront access to dock their boats. This South Shore community is next to Merrick and Seaford and is located right on the Great South Bay. Multiple canals stretch northwards towards Merrick Road, and homes with docks of all shapes and sizes line these waterways.
Peninsulas make up the southern side of Bellmore, where you can find plenty of homes neatly arrayed in suburban collectives. As you head north, you will come across Merrick Road, which cuts west to east across the town. This region is where you can find relaxed coffee shops and bakeries, such as the Bare Naked Bakery.
Farther north, Sunrise Highway splits Bellmore from North Bellmore, where locals can shop at P.C. Richard and Sons and pick up groceries from King Kullen. Young professionals who commute to New York City love this suburban LI town because the LIRR train at Bellmore can get you to Penn Station in about an hour.
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Roslyn
At the base of the Hempstead Harbor, between Port Washington and Glen Head, homebuyers will find the village of Roslyn.
Comprising Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Heights, and Roslyn Estates, this Gold Coast town on the North Shore is a premier destination for homebuyers. While there is not as much waterfront here as nearby Glen Cove, Roslyn residents can reach NYC within an hour via the Oyster Bay branch line of the LIRR.
Like other North Shore towns, Northern Boulevard serves as the commercial district for the area, providing locals with boutique shopping and various restaurants, ranging from Japanese to Italian food. Homes in Roslyn are set back from the street on winding roads, with plenty of trees providing shade.
You can expect to find large homes here to match the sprawling plots of land, so if you are upgrading from a Midtown condo, this quiet village might be for you.
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Cold Spring Harbor
As you cross into Suffolk County past Oyster Bay, the first Gold Coast town you will find is the hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor.
Named for the natural freshwater springs bubbling up in the area, Cold Spring Harbor dates back to the 1860s when whaling was a crucial industry on Long Island. As whale hunting passed into the annals of history, industrialists and vacationers built massive homes here, planting the seeds for a soon-to-be ritzy enclave of Long Island.
Today, the Cold Spring Harbor LIRR line at the southern end of the town easily connects people to NYC within an hour and a half. There is a quaint main street on Harbor Road where you can find local favorites like The Sandbar for a bite and a beer or The Gourmet Whaler for fresh pastries and coffee.
While boating is a popular pastime in the area, folks can also become members of the Cold Spring Country Club, where 18 holes surround Oheka Castle, one of the largest residences in the US. Even if golf is not your forte, you can head up to the castle for a property tour, then grab lunch at the OHK restaurant and Bar. For a relaxing day out, you can head to Cold Spring Harbor State Park and watch recreational boaters and kayakers exploring the harbor and Oyster Bay.
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Dix Hills
Located just south of Huntington is the hamlet of Dix Hills. Surrounded by Commack to the east, Melville to the west, and Deer Park to the south, this region stands out for its large homes and wooded properties.
Many of the houses are from the 1970s, ranging from Colonial-style to modern split ranches. Part of what makes the area appealing to buyers beyond the big homes and wooded properties is the easy access to the Long Island Expressway. The Northern State Parkway also runs through the northern reaches of the area in case the LIE is backed up.
While there is a small golf course in the area, the nearby Dix Hills Ice Skating Rink is the main attraction. The rural feel of Dix Hill does come at the cost of having a dedicated shopping district, even though most folks head to the Tanger Outlets at Deer Park off Commack Road to shop at large retailers like Nike and Tommy Hilfiger.
Beyond big-box stores, folks can go shopping at the new Lidl grocery store across from the outlets.
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Ronkonkoma
If you want to live near the Hamptons but still be close to NYC, consider moving to Ronkonkoma.
Anyone who has taken the train out east likely heard of this town, as it is the last stop on the LIRR Main Line. Named after Lake Ronkonkoma, this hamlet is where the Greenport Line of the LIRR begins. So if you spend a lot of time on the North Fork, you will love Ronkonkoma. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Ronkonkoma from NYC, so make sure you time your trains well if you plan to head further east from the station.
The LIE divides the region, so commuting by car is also a breeze. Frequent fliers also benefit from the MacArthur Airport near the train station. Residential homes make up most of the space in town, but Lake Shore Road offers delis and Little Vincent's, a community staple for pizza and Italian cuisine. And if you need to head to Stony Brook, it is a short ride away to the north.
When it comes to clothes shopping and groceries, people head over to Portion Road on the lake's western side.
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Patchogue
As you go farther east on Long Island, Long Island's Great South Bay widens, leaving a vast expanse of water for folks living on the South Shore.
If you love spending time on the water, Patchogue, NY, might be your dream town. The town is south of Holtsville and shares a border with Blue Point to the west and Bellport to the east. The ample access to the waterfront makes boating a popular pastime in town, as residents can purchase homes on the many rivers and canals leading out to the Bay. And if you enjoy going to the beach, you can take a Davis Park ferry to Fire Island.
Patchogue was once a vacation town at the turn of the century and gave way to many historic Victorians, with large porches and tall turrets. Patchogue revitalized its downtown in recent years, which is now home to gleaming condos overlooking a bustling Main Street filled with bars like Standard Rec, MeetBall, and Daisy Dukes, which plays live music well into the night on weekends.
Yet Patchogue is plenty of fun during the day, where you can find folks having lunch or brunch at these establishments or grabbing BBQ from the local smokehouse, Bobbique. If you only commute into the office a few times a month, Patchogue will serve you well, as the Montauk branch of the LIRR runs right through town.
Plus, Sunrise Highway is just to the north, making it a breeze to head east or west to major routes if you are commuting within Suffolk County or to Nassau County.
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East Hampton
East Hampton, nestled on the South Fork of Long Island, is a premier destination known for its pristine beaches, picturesque landscapes, and luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere. Main Beach, often ranked among the top beaches in the country, attracts both locals and visitors who revel in its unspoiled beauty and the soothing rhythm of the Atlantic waves.
The town boasts a vibrant cultural scene, home to several renowned art galleries, theaters, and museums such as the LongHouse Reserve and the Pollock-Krasner House. Annual events like the Hamptons International Film Festival contribute to a thriving arts community, providing endless opportunities for cultural engagement.
East Hampton’s culinary landscape underscores its status as one of the best towns on Long Island. The town offers diverse dining experiences, from charming cafes and artisanal bakeries to upscale restaurants featuring farm-to-table cuisine. Local farmers' markets and renowned chefs craft menus that reflect the region’s bounty, making East Hampton a culinary destination.
The town’s commitment to preserving its historical heritage enhances its appeal. Extensive conservation efforts ensure that beaches, parks, and nature reserves remain pristine, while the historic district, with its beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century homes, offers a charming glimpse into the past. This blend of preservation and modernity creates a unique atmosphere that captivates residents and visitors alike, making East Hampton a standout gem on Long Island.
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Shelter Island
Shelter Island, located between the North and South Forks of Long Island, is a serene escape known for its tranquil beauty, lush landscapes, and relaxed atmosphere. Accessible only by ferry, the island offers a peaceful retreat with pristine beaches and calm waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, and sailing.
The island’s dedication to preserving its natural environment is showcased in the Mashomack Preserve, which covers nearly a third of the island. This vast nature reserve, with its woodlands, wetlands, and tidal creeks, provides excellent opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Shelter Island’s charming small-town vibe is enriched by its historic significance and quaint architecture. The island is dotted with beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century homes, and its historic district offers a glimpse into its rich past, with small museums and landmarks celebrating its evolution over the centuries.
The culinary scene on Shelter Island enhances its appeal as one of the best towns on Long Island. The island offers a delightful array of dining options, from casual beachside eateries to upscale restaurants emphasizing locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal farmers' markets and artisanal food shops provide fresh, regional produce and specialties, making Shelter Island a unique and captivating retreat.
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