Long Beach

At the beginning of last century, Long Beach was a popular resort and vacation area for middle-class and upper-class city residents who were drawn to its many waterfront resort hotels. The city, one of two in Nassau, is located on a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean. Gradually, air travel allowed people to travel to more distant destinations. The decline in summer visitors, coupled with local government corruption, led Long Beach into decline, which lasted until the 1970s. During the 1980s and 1990s, inventors who saw the city’s potential poured money into the city, spurring a revitalization which has lead to today’s vibrant city of 35,000 residents.

Long Beach can be reached by car from the Loop Parkway, which ends at the eastern end of the barrier island, or Long Beach Boulevard, which brings drivers into the heart of the city. Park Avenue is the city’s major road, where many unique shops and eateries are located. Dining options include Thai, sushi, Italian, pizzerias and kosher delis. Long Beach’s many bars are popular with locals and visitors.

Organized recreation is overseen by the city. The city’s main attraction is its beach and two-mile boardwalk, which is very clean and well-maintained. Resident families can purchase a season pass for $60, while non-residents will pay $120, and visitors can purchase day passes. Races, regattas and surfing competitions are organized by the recreation department, which also runs a recreation center with a pool and fitness equipment. Programs for children and seniors are also available.

Students from Long Beach attend the Long Beach City School District. With a student population of 4,000, the district operates a pre-kindergarten center, four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. A Head Start program runs year-round. Though the district contends with a 15% poverty rate, it still earns high passing rates on standardized exams. Kindergarten is a full day, and foreign language instruction begins at the elementary level. Students at Long Beach High School can select from among 50 Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and college-level courses. The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous college preparatory program available at only a few Long Island high schools. Forty-five varsity team sports are available.

Unlike almost every other town and hamlet in Nassau, Long Beach’s housing inventory includes more condos and co-ops than houses. Homebuyers with a range of budgets will find plenty of options for all three. Small bungalows, many dating back to the 1920s, are among the less expensive single-family homes, and buyers looking to spend less than $400,000 will find many possibilities.