Whether you’re moving for the beaches or to experience a suburban lifestyle, there’s a lot to learn about finding rooms for rent in Long Island City. Here’s everything you need to know!
Getting to Know Long Island
Long Island is the perfect destination for those who want to get away from the chaos of city life, but don’t want to be too far from it. Close to Manhattan and NYC, Long Island is perfect for young professionals and growing families. The city has everything that you could need, from excellent food and entertainment options to high-ranking schools.
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Most people live in the city, enjoying the beautiful beaches and calm ambiance while working in the city. Although Long Island has plenty of job opportunities, you’re more likely to find small businesses flourishing in the city, making it highly competitive. Excellent public transport makes it easier to work in different cities. High property taxes, however, can make finding cheap rooms for rent in Long Island a challenging task, but the fantastic view is worth the hassle.
Finding Rooms for Rent in Long Island
Long Island may sound like a dream, but the living costs are a thing of nightmares. Good school districts, proximity to the beach and NYC, make living in Long Island quite expensive with hefty property taxes. If you’ve never lived with a roommate before, consider trying to find one when you move to this city as average rent in Long Island can be pretty high.
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Top Neighborhoods in Long Island
- Islip: Located farther away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Islip is ideal for families looking for rooms for rent in Long Island. With excellent schools nearby, proximity to beaches and restaurants, families can enjoy a suburban life without being too far from the action.
- Massapequa: Another quaint neighborhood that is perfect for a growing family. It is famous for its well-appraised and high-ranking schools, along with lush parks and trails. Ideal for those who want their kids to grow up near nature, and have a peaceful environment.
- Huntington: With numerous restaurants, clubs, and live music options, this neighborhood is ideal for young professionals. However, like every other neighborhood in the city, Huntington also has above-average schools, making it an excellent choice for families as well.
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Average Rent in Long Island
| Rooms for Rent in Long Island | Average Rent |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in Long Island | $1,308 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment in Long Island | $2,668 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in Long Island | $2,996 |
University life in Long Island
Long Island is known for its high-ranking schools and the exceptional education that you can get when living in the city. While living in the city can be expensive, there is plenty to do in the city, such as attending various events that take place throughout the year. It’s an excellent way to explore the city, as well as an opportunity to bond with your college roommate.
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Top Universities in Long Island
How Transit Friendly is Long Island?
Getting around the city without a car isn’t impossible, although be prepared for long hours in traffic. It’s best to familiarise yourself with the city’s public transport, as you’re going to be relying on it a lot when travelling to Queens, Manhattan or NYC.
1. Walkability
With a walk score of 95, you can complete many errands on foot. However, Long Island is only the 52nd most walkable city in New York which makes the score seem less impressive. Although you can complete smaller tasks on foot, most stores, or entertainment options are a short drive away.
2. Roads/Traffic
Traffic in Long Island can give you pause. Due to its proximity to the city, you will face traffic at any time of the day, which increases between 7 am to 9 am in the mornings and between 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the evenings. Apart from the hassles of daily traffic, roads in Long Island can be dangerous and accident-prone as well, with Route 25 named the most dangerous road in the city.
3. Taxis
Long Island has no shortage of taxi services that you can call when you need not get somewhere in a hurry. Uber and Lyft operate in Long Island as well, giving residents plenty of options to choose from. Taxi fares in the city are pretty standard with a base fare of $4.2 with $1.28 for every additional kilometer, and a waiting fare of $27.7 per hour.
4. Public transportation
With reliable public transport, owning a car is not a necessity for most residents of long island. The MTA has 8 subway stations in Long Island and a reliable schedule. Brooklyn and Manhattan are only one subway stop away, making this the best transport choice for young professionals who need to travel outside the city for work. Make sure to check the official MTA website for the latest updates in subway routes according to COVID-19 guidelines.
With the NYC Ferry’s Astoria route, you can reach Brooklyn from Long Island in 14 minutes, and Manhattan in 7 minutes. The ferry runs multiple times throughout the day and helps connect the residential areas to the business districts across different cities.
Residents can also travel via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) system, which has 2 stations across the city. With the eTix app (Apple; Android), you can buy tickets directly from your home. You can plan your trip to check fares before you leave.
Two main bus operators in Long Island are NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express) operating in Nassau and Suffolk County Operating in Suffolk.
5. Airports
The Long Island McArthur Airport, locally referred to as the Islip Airport is the most convenient option for Long Island residents. However, destination and airline options are limited. For those who are traveling internationally, the JFK or John F. Kennedy International Airport is the best option. Long Island Residents can take the LIRR to Jamaica and then connect to JFK via the AirTrain. If you don’t mind the drive and are flying Delta, LaGuardia Airport is the one for you, but reaching this airport via public transport can be challenging. The Newark Liberty International Airport is in New Jersey and can be your last resort if your airline does not connect to any of the other airports.
6. Cycling
Long Island is moderately cycle-friendly with several roads that provide biking infrastructure and have signed routes for biking. However, the city does not have many biking trails or off the road paths for bicyclists. Citibike, New York’s largest public bike-sharing system, has 74 stations across the city, making biking more accessible for residents.
Restaurants in Long Island
Unlike other cities, you won’t find a dish or cuisine which is unique to Long Island. What you can expect to find, however, are dishes that feature locally grown produce. As John Ross put it, “The ingredients from your backyard drive the cuisine and create the cuisine.”
Cultural Activities in Long Island
When you move to Long Island, you will not run out of things to do. Events run throughout the year, giving residents numerous options for an exciting day out. You can also learn more about the city’s history by visiting museums and the famed Gold Coast mansions.
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