North Shore Long Island Guide – What it’s Like Living on the North Shore [Beaches, Things to Do, North Shore Towns & More]

Are you considering visiting or moving to Long Island? You’ll often hear people referring to not only Nassau and Suffolk counties to divide Long Island but also the North Shore and South Shore. Like Suffolk and Nassau, the South and North Shore of Long Island have very different lifestyles, beaches, and amenities.

The North Shore of Long Island is known for its affluence, picturesque and rocky beaches on the Sound, forested parks, and vineyards . It rose to fame when it became known as the Gold Coast during the turn of the 20th century as New York socialites and America’s wealthiest families built expansive mansions in the area. The Gold Coast is famous as the setting of the novel The Great Gatsby . Today, North Shore Long Island is a popular tourist destination and a great place to live for families and retirees alike.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting or moving to the Long Island North Shore.

The North Shore area was settled in the 1600s and originally part of New Netherland, a Dutch colony that included modern-day New York City and stretched to Cape Cod. It became part of the Province of New York in 1664.

Early Long Island history was dominated by agriculture and whaling. The Gilded Age brought massive change to the North Shore. As America’s economy shifted from agriculture to industry and great wealth was made in industries like steel and transportation, the wealthy flocked to North Shore, Long Island. Between 1890 and the 1930s, more than 1,200 mansions and castles were built on the North Shore along a region that became known as the Gold Coast.

Some of the most famous Gold Coast residents who built estates (many of which remain) include Astors, the Vanderbilts , J.P. Morgan, F. W. Woolworth, Daniel Guggenheim, Theodore Roosevelt, and Otto Kahn, the “King of New York.”

While there are many remaining Gilded Age mansions on the Gold Coast of Long Island, most were demolished after WWII and the large estates were transformed into subdivisions.

The Long Island North Shore refers to the northern coast of Long Island along the Long Island Sound . Historically, the “North Shore” includes coastal communities stretching from the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County through the Town of Huntington in Suffolk County.

The North Shore region also includes the Town of Smithtown in Suffolk County east of Huntington and the North Fork portion of Long Island. The North Fork is the 30-mile peninsula in northeast Suffolk County known for its rural environment and vineyards.

Below, you can see a map of Gold Coast mansions and gardens with over 700 tags!

Living on the North Shore is a dream come true if you love the outdoors with rocky beaches on the Long Island Sound and forested, hilly state parks to explore. The area is known for its affluence with a population that’s older and more educated than the norm for New York and the rest of Long Island. Popular North Shore activities and hobbies run the gamut from the equestrian and tennis to golf, swimming, and visiting North Fork vineyards and wineries . It isn’t as bustling as the South Shore with fewer bars and entertainment districts with a more suburban atmosphere.

The North Shore Long Island region is home to many retirees, but it’s also a family-friendly place to live. Many families flock to North Shore communities for the low crime, greater privacy, outdoor recreation, and great schools.

Before moving to the North Shore, you’ll want to narrow down your options to decide where to live. Do you envision life close to the water? Do you want more space? Are you looking for the best schools? There’s something for everyone!

There are six North Shore Long Island towns and one city , each with a different vibe.

Glen Cove is the only city on the North Shore. It’s known for its stunning waterfront vistas, multi-family living options, quiet residential neighborhoods, and central business district.

This central Long Island town is the only town stretching from the North Shore to the South Shore. It offers ferry services, beaches on the ocean and Sound, top attractions, and excellent job opportunities.

One of the best places to live on the Long Island North Shore, and one of the most affluent, is Oyster Bay. It’s home to some of the best museums, parks, beaches, and cultural attractions with excellent schools.

Huntington is the most affluent town in Suffolk County known for its mansions and five harbors. It’s a popular bedroom community for NYC commuters.

Want to stay on the North Shore but enjoy more reasonable home prices? Look to Smithtown. It’s farther out from New York City and close to the North Fork.

This North Shore town is home to many of the most iconic Long Island mansions, excellent medical centers, and it’s close to the Queensborough Community College and Adelphi University. It’s in western Nassau County bordered by Queens and perfect for commuters!

Riverhead is part of the North Fork of the North Shore area. It’s known for its golf courses, vineyards, orchards, and farms with many great beaches and even an aquarium. It’s an affordable place to raise a family!

Southold is one of the most rural areas of Long Island on the North Fork. It’s a great place to live if you want a close-knit community, quiet beaches, and many wineries nearby.

Here are some great North Shore Long Island neighborhoods you’ll want to check out.

Long Island North Shore living doesn’t come cheap. Overall, the median home price on Long Island is $623,000, up more than 60% over a decade. Excluding the Hamptons and the North Fork of the North Shore, the median price drops to $560,000.The North Fork region has even outpaced the Hamptons in home price appreciation over the last decade with prices almost doubling to a median $800,000.

You’ll pay more to live in Suffolk County versus Nassau County with median sales prices of $490,000 compared to $640,000 respectively. Of course, coastal communities are more expensive than inland North Shore neighborhoods.

Here are median home prices for popular North Shore areas.

Ready to explore fun things to do on the North Shore? Here are top attractions from beaches and parks to museums!

There are hundreds of remaining Gold Coast mansions of Long Island. Many claim to have been the inspiration for Gatsby’s estate in The Great Gatsby . Here are some of the most iconic Long Island Gold Coast mansions, many of which have been turned into museums.

The North Shore is home to some of the best state parks on Long Island plus picturesque community parks in its many towns and villages. Here are some of the best North Shore, Long Island parks you’ll love after moving to the North Shore.

Along with the many Gold Coast mansions that have been transformed into museums, you’ll find many museums on Long Island in the North Shore area.

Whether you’re visiting or planning on living on the North Shore, you’ll find a bounty of amazing restaurants ranging from family-friendly diners and upscale steakhouses to waterfront seafood restaurants serving local oysters, scallops, bass, flounder, and more. Here are the best North Shore restaurants to visit!

Does the North Shore of Long Island sound like a dream come true? If you’re ready for moving to the North Shore, Long Island, give us a call today at Zippboxx for a free estimate and a stress-free experience!

The post North Shore Long Island Guide – What it’s Like Living on the North Shore [Beaches, Things to Do, North Shore Towns & More] appeared first on zippboxx.