From Lifelong Residents to First-Time Transplants—What Motivates Long Island Residents to Move

Long Island, with its beautiful beaches, well-rated schools, and ease of access to New York City, ranked high in terms of a desirable residence. In recent years, a growing larger group of both native Long Islanders and first-time homeowners have been loading up and moving out. Whatever it is, high taxes, rising housing expenses, or a changing job environment, motives for moving out of Long Island are multi-faceted and insightful. If ever you have ever wondered why Long Islanders have been moving out in such droves, below is reality about Long Island migration out

The Cost of Living: Too Much for Too Many

One of the most powerful factors spurring Long Islanders out is living in Nassau and Suffolk counties, consistently ranked one of America’s most expensive places in which to live. Nassau’s median price for a residence is a chilly **$700,000**, with Suffolk a mere **$620,000** according to the **Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR)**. Property taxes? Absolutely bloodthirsty, at an average annual price tag of **$11,000**—the nation’s most expensive, in many instances. In a **2024 report** prepared for the Tax Foundation, no wonder that New York holds the **third-largest overall burden** in America, with Long Islanders paying some of the state’s most expensive property taxes. Higher utility payments, increased LIRR tolls, and record grocery store price inflation have priced out many families, with them asking, is Long Island no longer worth it?

Taxes That Never Stop Rising

New York is renowned for having high taxes, but Long Island takes it to a new level altogether. Long Islanders pay not only property taxes but **state income taxes, sales taxes, and taxes on near about everything**. Businessmen with small stores have to pay high commercial property taxes, and it is becoming a challenge to run a business in the region. Retirees with a fixed income are most at risk, and many opt to move to less taxing regions such as **Florida, North Carolina, or Texas** and enjoy a larger part of their savings. According to **U.S. Census migration statistics**, near about **64,000 New Yorkers relocated to Florida in 2023**, a significant portion of them being Long Islanders.

Housing Affordability: Out of Reach in the Marketplace?

While home values have appreciated, pay hasn't kept pace. Affordability gaps have kept first-time buyers out of Long Island housing, even with mortgage rates leveling off at **7%**. Despite a **40% boost in average monthly mortgage payments during 2020**Homeownership is a pipe dream for many first-time buyers. According to a **2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR)** report, Long Island ranked in the **most unaffordable metropolitan areas in the country** with an affordability rating below **80**—the average household earns less than 80% of earnings to buy a median-priced property. First-time buyers have been looking for less costly alternatives in **Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and even parts of the Hudson Valley** where, for less, they can buy a larger property.

Job Trends: Work Anywhere, Live Anywhere

The pandemic changed work, and Long Islanders have found that they no longer must be present. With working remotely becoming a new norm, workers who sat for **hour-plus LIRR commutes** no longer have to and are choosing to move to a state with a lowered cost of living and a balanced work-life schedule. According to **Pew Research**, nearly **40% of remote workers in New York** have considered moving in the past two years. Tech workers, financial workers, and even medical workers are finding jobs that allow them to work remotely anywhere—and many of them are choosing out.

Traffic and Transport: Daily Grind

Ask any Long Islander about traffic, and you’ll get an earful. The **Long Island Expressway (LIE)** is living its name as the "world’s longest parking lot," and commuting to the city isn’t getting any easier. With **MTA fare hikes planned for 2025**, and the current **$13 Manhattan-bound commuter toll** For congested routes, commuting costs only rise and rise. Meanwhile, 'burbs lack public transportation, and life for careless citizens is a challenge. Cities with wiser infrastructure and walkability, such as **Charlotte, Austin, and Nashville**, become ever-much more inviting alternatives.

Quality of Life: Seeking Something Different

While Long Island is a high level of living, not everyone considers it worth its price tag. Young couples and family groups desire **greater room, less crime, and a heightened community** in smaller urban and suburban communities out of New York. Crime statistics for Long Island have been fairly low in comparison with NYC, but current statistics for the **Suffolk County Police Department** cite a **10% rise in property crime** over two years. Retirees move south for warmer weather, and others simply have a desire for a less hectic, less expensive life and a pace change. Tennessee, Georgia, and Arizona cite a less hectic pace of life with no financial burden.

Is This the End of Long Island’s Appeal?

Despite the emigration of its citizens, Long Island remains high in terms of a desired residence in the Northeast. High salaries, high-rated school districts, and a rich cultural life draw new buyers and renters, but for high expenses, taxes, and changing life, moving out is an option preferred by them. Long Island's challenge in the future will be to make **affordability, infrastructure, and job development** a reality in an attempt to stop its citizens' emigration in droves.

Whether you’re leaving Long Island for a fresh start or simply looking for the right strategy to sell your home for top dollar, having a knowledgeable real estate expert by your side makes all the difference.

📩 Email me at Dean@TheBeaconTeam.com
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