The Best Long Island Neighborhoods in Suffolk County
September 27, 2022 | Travel Destinations
If Long Island were a state, it would be the 13th largest in the USA. This New York Peninsula is 118-miles long and 23-miles-wide at its maximum width and is world-renowned as the home of the Hamptons, where the rich and famous own sprawling mansions and New Yorkers vacation. However, Long Island is so much more than a playground for the wealthy.
Long Island neighborhoods are part of a complex structure of local towns, villages, and hamlets that offer something for anyone who loves the outdoors as well as arts and culture. Besides beautiful white-sand beaches, Long Island has farmlands, wineries, legendary golf courses, and numerous family-oriented neighborhoods boasting excellent public schools and friendly communities.
There are two primary counties on Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County, with the latter covering most of the area, so we’ll focus on the best Long Island neighborhoods in Suffolk County. Read on to discover a few reasons why more than 7 million people love living on Long Island.
Long Island Weather
Long Island experiences four seasons a year. Summers are frequently hot and humid, with the South Shore enjoying cooling Atlantic Ocean breezes. Like New York City, Long Island winters are cold, windy, and dry, with snow. However, no matter the season, there is always outdoorsy fun to be had by all.
Depending on where you live or visit, fall brings moderate weather, with wine country vineyards turning from a rich green to spectacular hues of yellow, red, and orange. Fall is also the least busy tourist season making Longs Island’s notorious traffic and access to beaches less stressful.
Oakdale
With a population of approximately 8,000 people, Oakdale neighborhoods have a welcoming and relaxed vibe. This Long Island Hamlet has a rich history featuring several historic sites and old churches. A century ago, the Vanderbilts owned a sprawling estate in Oakdale.
Today, Oakdale is known for its lively nightlife and attractions, making it attractive to Millenials. The hamlet is also home to several town parks; the 39-acre, tree-lined Byron Lake Park features swimming pools, a playground, concession stands, picnic areas, and a fishing dock. With its welcoming atmosphere and excellent public schools, Oakdale is a great place to raise a family.
Its location along the Connetquot River basin provides ample opportunities for kayaking, boating, fishing, and beachcombing. Oakdale is a Long Island neighborhood to explore further whether you have a passion for water and outdoor sports or are looking for a summer vacation destination.
Southampton
Southampton is situated along the South Fork of Long Island, approximately 80 miles from New York City. Southampton features more than seven miles of stunning beaches, and one of the most prized is Cooper’s Beach, which regularly ranks in the top 10 beaches in the U.S.
Outside of town are numerous farm stands that offer locally grown produce in addition to hundreds of miles of hiking trails and three golf courses. One of Long Island’s two Native American Reservations, the Shinnecock Nation, is also in Southampton.
As a trendy summer resort community since the late 19th century, Southampton is dedicated to its culture and history. Today, it’s home to the Southampton Historical Museum, the Southampton Cultural Center, Rogers Memorial Library, and the Southampton Arts Center.
Bridgehampton
Bridgehampton is a small hamlet with a population of 1,235. It’s located in the town of Southampton and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in New York, owing to its panoramic vistas, beautiful landscapes, and golden sunsets. Even so, locals describe it as having a laid-back beach vibe and the perfect combination of urban-chic and 350-year-old history.
Bridgehampton’s world-famous equestrian events and vintage and auto racing expositions have entertained crowds for decades. Its famous beaches include the prominent Ocean Road Beach, known for its broad expanse of white sand where families and friends gather on the weekends.
Long Island residents don’t have to travel far for arts and culture so everyone can enjoy year-round entertainment. Several museums are located here, including the South Fork Natural History Museum, the Bridge Gardens, the Children’s Museum of the East End, and the annual Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival.
Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach is located between the towns of Westhampton to the east and Quiogue to the west. It was incorporated as a village in 1928 and has grown to a population of around 2,000. Today, Westhampton Beach is a vibrant coastal community with historic downtown streets lined with boutique shops, upscale restaurants, and soft, white-sand beaches.
For a memorable day at the beach, locals and tourists alike head to Cupsogue Beach County Park, a 296-acre park locally known as Dune Road and famed for its white sand beaches that everyone from sunbathers to body surfers enjoy. Anglers come here to experience some of the finest saltwater bass fishing on Long Island.
The village enjoys a thriving performing arts community with the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center dating back to 1932 and the Hampton Arts Cinema.
In summary, it’s important to remember that Long Island isn’t cheap; it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the United States and even surpasses New York City’s cost of living. But you certainly don’t have to be famous to live and play here.
As with any place you decide to move to, Long Island has its pros and cons. If you need more space than a cramped New York City apartment, but don’t want to be too far from everything a big-city lifestyle offers, then Long Island could be a great choice.
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We have four storage locations that provide clean, convenient units near the Hamptons. In addition, our professionally trained and friendly storage teams earn five-star reviews, and you can conveniently rent your climate-controlled and drive-up unit online from the comfort of your home.
