10 Things to Know Before Moving to Garden City, NY
One of the loveliest villages on Long Island, Garden City is only 18 miles from the center of Manhattan. Shopping and the abundance of historic Colonial and Tudor-style architecture are just two of Garden City’s many claims to fame. Commuters and families will also appreciate that it’s near several major highways on Long Island and its proximity to five train stations.
Garden City’s high quality of life, low crime rate, and plenty of family-friendly attractions make it an attractive community for young families. It’s also among the wealthiest places on the whole island of Long Island. Garden City was developed by Irish businessman Alexander Turney Stewart, who purchased land in the scarcely settled region with the purpose of developing a beautiful city.
Let’s see what to expect in this city as we talk about ten things to know before moving to Garden City, NY.
1. The Garden City School District, Adelphi University, and Roosevelt Field are the city’s major employers
Garden City’s average annual salary is $65,000, according to Payscale. The town’s economy relies heavily on the academic and commercial sectors. It’s not uncommon for Garden City residents to commute to Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan for work.
The Garden City School District and Adelphi University are two of the main employers in the community. A substantial portion of Garden City’s workforce is supported by Roosevelt Field, Long Island’s largest shopping mall.
2. Living costs are 112% higher than the national average
The cost of living index in Garden City is 212, which is significantly higher than the New York average of 120. Healthcare and grocery expenditures are around 13% more than the U.S. average, while transportation costs are roughly 70% higher and utility costs are 25% higher.
Garden City has exorbitant housing costs, which contributes significantly to the high cost of living. Some of Long Island’s most expensive real estate can be found here. Homes in Garden City typically stay on the market for 32 days and sell for an average of $930,000. RentCafe reports that the average rent is $3,828 per month.
3. The crime rate is 71% lower than the national average
The crime rate in Garden City is 71% lower than the U.S. average, making it a very secure location to call home. Garden City Village has a crime rate of 1,226 crimes per 100,000 residents, according to FBI data from 2019.
The odds of becoming a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 5,757, while the odds of becoming a victim of a property crime are 1 in 101.
4. Live in the Mott section, Estate section, Central section, Eastern section, or Western section.
Interested in learning more about Garden City’s communities before relocating there? It’s easy to get through the village thanks to its distinct Mott section, Estate section, Central section, Eastern section, and Western section. People tend to divide Garden City into two parts: the Mott section and the Estate section.
The cheapest area of Garden City is in the Eastern Section, which is bordered by Hempstead village. It’s also one of the few places that doesn’t have easy access to a rail station on foot. Because of its proximity to the low-income neighborhood of Hempstead, the Southeast region is comparatively inexpensive.
The Western Section of Garden City is where you’ll find the least amount of new construction and traffic. This section is more isolated and features more cookie-cutter houses. This is among the most secure areas in all of Garden City.
One of Garden City’s finest residential areas, the Estates is also the city’s wealthiest. Many residences have four or six bedrooms. The location is ideal, as you’ll be close to work and the kids’ schools. Plane noise may be an issue due to proximity to JFK flight patterns, and you won’t be able to stroll to the heart of the town.
Homes in the Mott Section typically have three bedrooms and were built between 1930 and 1950 on narrower lots. That part of Garden City is right up against Mineola. The Mineola train station is within walking distance for residents of the western part of the Mott neighborhood.
5. It rains a lot here
Garden City has a humid subtropical climate, so new residents can expect warm, sunny days. Without experiencing extremes, the city has mild, wet winters and mild, humid summers. July averages 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and January averages 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Garden City receives an average of 46 inches of rain but only 23 inches of snow yearly, so you’ll want to pack a decent umbrella.
6. Garden City Union Free School District serves the city
The village’s excellent public school system is a major selling point for families looking to settle down there. There are three primary schools, two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in the Garden City Union Free School District that serve the residents of the village. With a 90% AP participation rate, Garden City High School was recently named the 20th top high school in New York.
The Waldorf School is a private, independent school serving students in grades pre-K through 12. Two of the elementary schools in the area are Catholic. Also located in Garden City is the highly regarded doctoral research university, Adelphi University. The Garden City Public Library is there for the city’s students.
7. Eat at Grand Lux Café, Waterzooi, or Novitá Wine Bar & Trattoria
Garden City is as diverse as the rest of the state, and its restaurants offer dishes from all over the world. These are some of the best Garden City restaurants, and you’re sure to enjoy them.
Waterzooi is a bustling Belgian café known for its mussels and its fun bar atmosphere, and outstanding service.
Novitá Wine Bar & Trattoria is a popular Italian restaurant and wine bar in the heart of downtown Garden City, known for its extensive wine list, homemade pastas, and small dishes.
One of the top things to do in Garden City, Grand Lux Café in Roosevelt Field, is perfect for a night out with a loved one or a group of friends. Get your fill of tasty beer, appetizers, burgers, and more.
8. Have fun at St. Paul Recreation Complex or go shopping at Roosevelt Field
Eager to find the most amazing things that can be done in Garden City? There are many kid-friendly activities and sights to see in Garden City, so the village is perfect for families.
To this day, Garden City Country Club remains one of the few all-male golf clubs in the United States. St. Paul Recreation Complex, an indoor recreation complex, features a track, yoga courses, and a fitness program for children. It’s situated on a 30-acre park that features a baseball diamond, a soccer field, a lacrosse net, and a large playground.
To put it simply, Roosevelt Field is the biggest shopping center on Long Island and one of the biggest in the whole country. More than 270 shops and eateries, plus an AMC movie theater, await you.
9. A low poverty rate
The percentage of people living in poverty in cities across the United States ranges from 10 to 13 percent on average. It’s even possible that this rate is higher in some cities.
However, in Garden City, that percentage falls to just 2.4%. It is possible to have a high poverty rating even with limited public resources, which indicates nothing but great things about Garden City and its significantly lower rate.
10. You get to enjoy a relaxed pace of life
If you want the finest of both worlds, Garden City is where you want to be. You’re not too far from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan (18 miles away) and the other boroughs, but you’re also not too far from the quieter pace of the Hamptons and other suburban areas.
In Garden City, you can take things at a more relaxed pace. Unlike in the nearby large city, there is far less need to hustle or worry. If you’re easily overwhelmed by stimulation and stress, maybe a change of scenery to Garden City is what you need.
Finally
Garden City is the ideal location for those who wish to enjoy New York City without having to deal with its many negative aspects. This neighborhood is kid-friendly, secure, bustling with activities, and conveniently close to the heart of the city. The city has a high cost of living, but if you’re prepared for this, you won’t have a problem.
Some may look down on Garden City and its surrounding suburbs because they assume that suburban life is boring and lacks adventure. Nonetheless, it provides stability and a peaceful place to rest while being close to many exciting opportunities.
