Riverhead, NY 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Riverhead is a lively town located on the northern coast of East Long Island in New York. Riverhead offers its residents a historic downtown area and access to several shopping and entertainment options. Aside from that, the city is home to natural areas like beaches and parks, providing lots of opportunity for outdoor recreation.

Climate & Geography

Situated in a humid continental climate zone, Riverhead experiences all four seasons, with warm, humid summers and cold, wet winters. The town receives an average number of sunny days, with an above average amount of rainfall. Snowfall in Riverhead is below the national average.

The town is located on low coastal land, with its northern border made up by beaches along the Long Island Sound. It is also bordered by the Peconic River to the south and Flanders Bay to the southeast.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

There are plenty of options for entertainment in Riverhead. The town has its own mall, Tanger Outlets, that features many well-known brands and outlet stores. Residents also have a variety of restaurants to choose from, as well as a number of breweries and wineries.

Downtown Riverhead, a historic part of the town, is home to the Long Island Aquarium and Suffolk Theater.  Almost a century old, Suffolk Theater offers live music and shows to visitors. In addition, Riverhead hosts various festivals and events throughout the year for the community to enjoy, such as the Riverhead Halloween Fest and the Wildwood Fall Festival. 

During the warmer months, Riverhead residents can enjoy swimming at the beaches that the city has to offer. Indian Island Park, located in southeast Riverhead, offers recreational activities like bird watching, camping, fishing, and hiking. Riverhead Raceway hosts many events featuring race cars and monster trucks.

Riverhead is approximately a two-hour drive from New York City, making it close enough for a day trip to enjoy more extensive shopping and entertainment options in the Big Apple.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Riverhead is above the state and national average, with the cost of homes and housing being the primary factor.

New York is considered a very tax-friendly state for retirees. Social Security is not taxed in the state, and although all other forms of retirement income are taxed, all residents who are aged 59.5+ are eligible for a $20,000 deduction to offset that cost. While property taxes are moderate, the high cost of homes can make this a large expense, although there is a property tax relief program for residents under a certain income threshold. Sales tax in Riverhead is higher than average, at 8.625 percent. 

Health Care

New York ranks on the lower end of average on Gallup’s Well-Being Index. The Long Island area is not ranked on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, however, the New York City area ranks about average.

There are multiple hospitals in the Riverhead area, including Peconic Bay Medical Center, located in Riverhead, and Southampton Hospital, located in nearby Hampton Bays. New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, located in New York City, is ranked No.1 in the state and is nationally ranked in 15 specialties.