Moving to Southold Long Island Guide | 🐚 What It’s Like Living in Southold NY
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Are you moving to Southold Long Island? This quiet community sits on the northeast end of Long Island, also referred to as the North Fork, where you’ll find tranquil beaches, award-winning vineyards, and friendly residents. Nicknamed Southold Town, it is a city that’s a very nice place to live. Originally inhabited by the Algonquian tribes, Southold was settled by English Puritans in 1640, and the government of Southold Town was formed in 1649. Southold is known for viniculture and the different wines that are grown in the area. Here’s what you should know about living in Southold.
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Where Is Southold, New York?
Southold is in Suffolk County and is one of 10 towns located at the northeastern tip of the county on the North Fork of Long Island. New York City is 95 miles to the west of Southold. There are a number of cities and towns within 10 miles of Southold, including Peconic, Greenport, Cutchogue, New Suffolk, Shelter Island, East Marion, and Sag Harbor. Southold is bordered by Peconic to the west and Greenport to the east.
Southold NY Population & Demographics
The Southold population is 23,732 according to the 2020 Census, up from 21,968 in 2010. The median household income for Southold is $92,229, which is about $17,000 higher than the New York average. Southold has a rich history with famous people like Helen Keller and Benjamin Britten spending time there throughout their lives.
The racial demographics of Southold are 92.3% White, 9.1% Hispanic, 3.1% of two or more races, 1.2% Asian, and 1.2% Black or African American.
Additional Southold demographics:
- Median age: 53.4
- Sex ratio: 52.7% female to 47.3% male
- Homeownership rate: 84.5%
- Educational attainment: 42.8% bachelor’s degree or higher, 92.8% high school grad or higher
- Foreign-born population: 10.1%
- Veteran population: 6.4%
Southold is a very safe place to live. The Southold crime rates are 75% lower than the national average, and violent crimes in Southold are 69% lower than the national average. The city is safer than 79% of the cities in the United States. The Southold crime rate is 577 crimes per 100,000 people and 118 violent crimes per 100,000. These statistics are well below the New York average of 1,775 crimes per 100,000 and 664 violent crimes per 100,000. The Southold Town Police Department serves and protects the people of Southold with 48 officers.
Cost of Living in Southold
The cost of living in Southold is 35% higher than the New York average. Goods & services are 16% higher than the national average. Groceries are 5% higher, health care 9% higher, transportation 9% higher, and utilities 33% higher.
Housing is one of the biggest expenses you will face while living in Southold. Housing costs in Southold are 143% higher than the national average. The Southhold median home price is $1,350,000, which is a 28.8% increase from the previous year. The Southold housing market is somewhat competitive. Homes sell after about 28 days on the market. You can check out Southold NY homes for sale to get an idea of how much homes cost in the Southold area.
According to RentCafe, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Southold, NY is $1,822. The rental cost is dependent upon the amenities and number of bedrooms.
Typical Southold Living Expenses
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $25.00
- Meal at Mcdonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal):$11.00
- Domestic Beer (1 pint draught): $6.00
- Water (12 oz small bottle):$1.81
- Local Cheese (1 lb): $8.38
- Gasoline (1 gallon):$3.76
- Average utility bill: $259.68
Source: Numbeo
Best Neighborhoods in Southold, NY
There are many beautiful neighborhoods in Southold to choose from. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Southold.
Beixedon Estates | Quiet Coastal Neighborhood
Beixedon Estates features beautiful, luxury homes in a variety of styles, including cottage and colonial. Beixedon Estates homes range from around 2,100 square feet to over 3,800 square feet and sell for approximately $662,500 to $1,350,000. Many homes here sit on the waterfront, creek, or beach.
Goose Bay Estates | Waterfront Living
You’ll find a stunning array of single-family homes in the Goose Bay Estates neighborhood. The median price for a home here is about $849,000. Many of the single-family homes here have a cottage design, eat-In kitchens, and waterfront views with private docks.
Reydon Shores | Luxury Southold Neighborhood
If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury homes in Southold, Reydon Shores is the place for you. The homes were built in 2017, and the price of a home in Reydon Shores is about $1,775,000. The amenities at Reyon Shores include large lots, water views, pools, and some have private marinas.
Southold NY Weather & Climate
Southold has a Köppen climate classification between humid subtropical and hot-summer humid continental.
The warm season lasts for about three and a half months, from early June to mid to late September. This is the best time to visit. The average daily high temperature in Southold is above 71°F. July is the hottest month of the year in Southold, with an average high of 79°F and a low of 66°F.
The wintery cold season runs from early December to mid-March, where the average daily high temperature is below 46°F. The coldest month on average in Southold is January, with an average low of 26°F and a high of 39°F.
Southold averages 48 inches of rain per year. The US average is 38 inches. It snows in Southold an average of 27 inches a year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
Things to Do in Southold
Southold is a small, coastal town with an eclectic collection of shops and stores. Some of the interesting stores include Beacheeky, selling men’s and women’s clothing and home décor, Treasure Exchange Southold, an antique store, and The Weathered Barn, where you’ll find jewelry, tableware, cosmetics, and beauty supplies. You can get your groceries and essentials at Whole Foods Market, About Food, and Southold IGA.
Southold Town Beach
Looking for a family-friendly outdoor activity? These pristine beaches are perfect for those who love to play in the sand and surf or just look out over the Long Island Sound, which offers crystal clear waters, crashing waves, beach bluffs, and stunning sunsets.
Southold Town Beach, 53005 County Rd 48, Southold, NY 11971
Horton Point Lighthouse
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Built in 1857, the Horton Point Lighthouse is one of eight historic lighthouses located in Southold Township. The tower is 58 feet tall and once held a 3rd order Fresnel lens. The tower was repaired and restored to its original state in 1990. The Horton Point Lighthouse is a must do Southold activity with kids.
Horton Point Lighthouse, 3575 Lighthouse Rd, Southold, NY 11971, (631) 765-5500
Custer Institute and Observatory
The Custer Institute and Observatory, established in 1927, is the oldest public observatory on Long Island. It’s open to the public every Saturday evening from dusk until midnight, where you can get a guided tour of the facilities and observe the night sky through powerful telescopes.
Custer Institute and Observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Rd, Southold, NY 11971, (631) 765-2626
Additional Attractions in Southold:
Southold has passive and active parks along with hiking trails. You can view more information at Southold’s Parks and Rec website. You can see Southold’s event calendar under their civic alerts.
Southold NY Restaurants
There are many delicious eateries to choose from! Here are some top restaurants in Southold.
North Fork Table & Inn
North Fork Table & Inn is set in a historic Southold countryside home, and the food is harvested locally from Long Island’s farms, vineyards, and waterways. Open for dinner Thursday-Sunday, they feature chef-inspired, artistic delights, including grilled swordfish, durum wheat-rigatoni, roasted li duck, and peppered filet mignon.
North Fork Table & Inn, 57225 Main Rd, Southold, NY 11971, (631) 765-0177
Country Corner Café
The Country Corner Cafe has been a staple in Southold since 1997, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream. They place a high value on customer satisfaction by providing the highest quality and the best service possible.
Country Corner Café, 55765 Rte 25, Southold, NY 11971, (631) 765-6766
Founders Tavern
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A family restaurant serving the Southold area for over 25 years, you’ll always receive a warm welcome and fantastic food at Founders Tavern. They also have a wide variety of award-winning craft beer. With a grill room and a tap room, Founders is the perfect place for date night.
Founders Tavern, 55500 Route 25, Southold, NY 11971, (631) 765-3100
Jobs in Southold
Southold employs 2,790 people, and most of the jobs are in public administration, healthcare & social assistance, and wholesale trade. Between 2019 and 2020 Southold median household income grew 11.9%. Over the next ten years, Southold will see a job increase of 26.8%.
Major employers on Long Island:
- New York Life – Long Island
- BNB Bank
- Piping Rock Health Products
- Family Service League. Inc.
- Zebra Technologies Corp.
- Public Technology
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
- New York Cancer & Blood Specialists
According to Payscale, the average salary for Southold residents is $ $92,229 or $45.66/hour. You can find local Southold jobs on Indeed.
Southold Schools & Higher Education
The Southold Union Free School District comprises Southold Jr/Sr High and Southold Elementary, serving 728 students. The district employs 46 teachers, making the teacher-student ratio a favorable 1- 16. Top-rated private schools near Southold include Ross School, Peconic Community School, Choate Rosemary Hall, and Taft School.
There are 33 colleges within 50 miles of Southold. The nearest is Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, about 19 miles from Southold. Students can enjoy the free public library in Southold, Southold Free Library.
Southold Statistics & Information
- County: Suffolk
- Southold Area: 403.70 square miles
- Southold Zip Code: 11971
- Southold Area Code: 631
- Southold Elevation: 0 feet
- Southhold Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport: Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), 46 miles away
Southold NY Map
Check out more fun things to do, restaurants, and more with this map of Los Alamos.
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