Long Island dangerous neighborhoods and areas to avoid

You are looking for an apartment or a hotel and want to know which Long Island neighborhoods are dangerous and which areas to avoid. Indeed, although Long Island is a fairly safe area overall, it also has a few neighborhoods that require special caution for safety reasons.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the most dangerous areas and safest neighborhoods on Long Island, allowing you to make informed decisions if you are considering moving to this area or choosing your hotel there.

Moreover, at the end of the article I will also give you advice on the best places on Long Island to stay for a tourist stay in New York.

This article was written by synthesizing the most recent data published on news articles, statistics and rankings on Long Island's safety and crime.

Is Long Island a safe place?

Long Island a large island located just east of New York City. It is one of the 5 boroughs of New York City which includes, among other things, the districts of Brooklyn and Queens.

The island, which extends approximately 190 km from east to west, is divided into four counties: Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Nassau and Suffolk. Kings and Queens counties are an integral part of New York City, while the other two are not. So, usually when we talk about Long Island, we're only referring to Nassau and Suffolk counties.

So, to know if Long Island is safe or dangerous, you need to find out the crime level in Nassau and Suffolk. However, statistics prove that Long Island is a relatively safe place because Nassau and Suffolk have lower than average crime rates (see below).

This was also confirmed by a study on Backgroundchecks.org which named several Long Island municipalities among the “safest cities” in New York.

What is the crime rate in Nassau Long Island?

According to the latest statistics, Nassau's overall crime rate is still 7% lower than the national average and the violent crime rate is 11% lower.

What is the crime rate in Suffolk Long Island?

In Suffolk County, the crime rate is 12% lower than the national average and for violent crime 15%.

Is Long Island safe for tourists?

Yes, but on condition that tourists exercise caution and avoid the dangerous areas listed below.

Indeed, Long Island is much more than a simple extension of New York City. It is an island that has managed to preserve its natural charm while offering a good quality of life to its inhabitants. Whether you are a beach lover, a culture buff, history buff, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, Long Island is a beautiful tourist destination.

Golfers can enjoy numerous golf courses, while sailing enthusiasts can enjoy the island's many bays and marinas. Parks, hiking trails and nature reserves also provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation in the great outdoors.

Long Island's tourist areas are generally not dangerous for visitors. Indeed, violent crimes are mainly committed by gangs and drug traffickers. They tend to occur in isolated areas and in neighborhoods where tourists have no interest in going (see list below).

Map of Long Island neighborhoods

Long Island is a long island which is divided on its eastern end into two narrow peninsulas:

The northern peninsula, approximately 40 km long, ends at Cape Orient.
The southern peninsula extends approximately 64 miles (XNUMX km) and ends at Cape Montauk, the eastern tip of Long Island.

The north and south coasts of the island offer contrasting landscapes. The northern coast is characterized by picturesque bays and harbors such as Flushing, Little Neck, Manhasset and Huntington. The southern coast, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, is dotted with sandbars and lagoons, offering magnificent beaches like Rockaway Beach, Long Beach and Jones Beach.

To more easily locate the areas to avoid on Long Island which we will discuss below, here is a map of the main neighborhoods of the island: Google map

Areas to Avoid on Long Island

The main areas to avoid on Long Island are the dangerous neighborhoods of Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk (see list below).

If you are hesitating between Suffolk and Nassau County, know that Nassau County has just been ranked among the best places to live in New York (longisland.news12.com).

The 10 most dangerous neighborhoods on Long Island

By comparing the latest statistics on crime rates, here are the 10 neighborhoods to avoid because they are considered the most dangerous on Long Island:

This list is not exhaustive. It simply indicates the least safe neighborhoods on Long Island. To better locate them, you can click on the links to have their location on Google Maps.

Best neighborhoods to stay on Long Island

Long Island is home to many safe and vibrant communities. Crime rates can vary greatly between towns on Long Island.

Here are some safe areas on Long Island, considered among the best places to live in New York:

Sapaponack
bridgehampton
Water Mill
amagansett
Quogue
Wainscott
Old Westbury
Brookville
Muttontown

Where to stay on Long Island to visit New York

For those who wish visit Manhattan, the best place to stay on Long Island is in Long Island City (LIC). Indeed, I know a good, inexpensive hotel ideally located on Long Island for a tourist stay: LIC Hotel

Just 150 m from the Metro station with direct line to Manhattan, this hotel is located in a safe and fairly quiet area.

Hotel in Long Island