Long Island 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Long Island in New York is becoming one of the region s top destinations for 55+ communities, attracting buyers looking for a more luxurious retirement or a reasonable home in one of the most attractive areas in the country. The northeast coastal landscape, in an area teeming with opportunities to stay active, makes Long Island in New York a terrific choice for finding the perfect 55+ community.

Long Island is as historical as it is vibrant. Quaint, quiet towns dot the shore that sits just a short train ride away from New York City, the largest city in the country that features the most incredible cultural opportunities one can find in the region. With well-crafted homes, a dynamic outdoor scene, and plenty of amenities, Long Island has become a premier destination for active adult communities.

Climate & Geography

Long Island is 1,401 square miles and is comprised of four counties stretching from New York Harbor in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Although the New York City neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens are on Long Island, many residents consider Long Island to only consist of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Long Island's climate is similar to other northeastern areas with warm and humid summers and cool and wet winters. The cool Atlantic Ocean provides a refreshing breeze during the hottest days of summer and tends to weaken strong tropical storms, making Long Island relatively safer than the surrounding regions when it comes to extreme weather and a more pleasurable option for active adults.

Long Island consists mostly of two long series of rugged hills with rocky beaches along the North Shore and sandier, crisper beaches along the South Shore. Long Island experiences 20 to 35 inches of snowfall annually, slightly lower than the national average, and three to four inches of rain. Due to the density and development in New York City, western Long Island is slightly warmer than the east.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Active adult communities in Long Island are ideally situated in an area rich in natural beauty and next door to a thriving urban center. Many active adults find Long Island's active adult communities attractive because of the ability to explore the area s rugged landscape in the morning and see a Broadway show in the evening. Active adults can explore New York City s shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. West Long Island also offers the historical Coney Island, Jones Beach, and the Rockaway Boardwalk in Queens. Long Islanders also find that the area features dozens of golf courses, beachfront camping, and hundreds of acres to hike through.

Sports fans will find plenty to root for with the Brooklyn Nets, New York Yankees, and New York Mets all based on Long Island. Those farther east can attend a New York Islanders game in Uniondale. Long Island is also known for hosting a collection of aviation and maritime museums, the largest number of lighthouses in the country, and bountiful vineyards in the scenic North Fork.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Although Long Island has some of the highest cost of living expenses compared to the rest of the country, active adults find that the financial burden dwindles the farther you get from New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Residents of New York have a higher tax burden per capita than much of the country and Nassau County has some of the highest property taxes in the country with Suffolk County not far behind.

New York s tax burden can be lightened since the state offers exemptions for veterans pensions, civil service pensions, and social security. Additionally, those 65 and better can qualify for a property tax exemption that can reduce the tax burden by up to 50%.

Healthcare

With over 50 hospitals to choose from, residents of Long Island's active adult communities benefit from an array of award-winning hospitals scattered across the region. Those closer to the city can visit New York Presbyterian Hospital, nationally ranked in 15 adult and pediatric specialties. Port Jefferson has the award winning John T. Mather University Hospital, cited as one of New York s eight top performing hospitals. North Shore University Hospital has several locations on Long Island and are especially known for their cardiology and neurology sectors. Residents of 55+ communities in Long Island find comfort in knowing that top performing medical centers are at arm's length.