Torn between living steps from the ocean and settling into a quiet, tree-lined block with a yard? If you are choosing between Merrick 11566 and Long Beach on Long Island’s South Shore, you have two great but very different lifestyles in front of you. This guide breaks down homes, commute, flood risk, recreation, and daily life so you can match each place to what you value most. Let’s dive in.
Big-picture snapshot
Merrick is a suburban hamlet in the Town of Hempstead with very high owner occupancy and a strong base of single-family homes. According to the U.S. Census, Merrick’s owner-occupied share is among the highest locally, and average travel time to work falls around the high 30 minutes mark in regional surveys. See the latest on population, housing mix, and commute time in the official QuickFacts for Merrick, New York.
Long Beach is an independent barrier-island city with a larger year-round population and a higher share of condos, co-ops, and rentals. The Census shows a lower owner-occupied rate than Merrick and an average work commute time around the low 40 minutes. Explore population and housing details in the Long Beach, New York QuickFacts.
In simple terms, Merrick skews single-family and quieter, while Long Beach blends city energy with a beach-town rhythm.
Homes and neighborhood feel
Merrick: single-family living and canals
In Merrick, you typically shop detached colonials, capes, and ranches on leafy streets. Many homes have yards, and some properties back to bays or canals with dock potential. The high owner-occupancy rate supports a stable, long-term residential feel.
Long Beach: condos, co-ops, and ocean blocks
Long Beach offers a wider mix. You will find single-family homes in certain pockets, but the core near the boardwalk and downtown features many condos and co-ops. Expect an urban-beach dynamic with more seasonal buzz, especially in summer.
Pricing snapshots often look similar at the headline level, but what you get for the price differs. In Merrick, a budget may stretch to a detached home with a yard. In Long Beach, that same budget might target a condo near the boardwalk or a smaller inland house. Always compare by property type, not just the median.
Waterfront access and recreation
Long Beach: ocean, boardwalk, and summer energy
If ocean access is your non-negotiable, Long Beach delivers. The city features a famous boardwalk of about 2.1 miles, several miles of guarded beaches, and a lively summer calendar that draws visitors and adds energy to local dining and events. Get a feel for seasons, beach rules, and the scene in the Long Beach city guide.
Merrick: bays, marinas, and nature trails
Merrick’s water life leans bayside. You can kayak, paddle, or boat from canals and marinas, and enjoy nature-forward spaces like Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve, which offers kayak launches, a fishing pier, and scenic trails. For ocean days, you are a short drive to Jones Beach State Park without committing to barrier-island living.
Commute and transportation
LIRR: side-by-side
- From Merrick on the Babylon Branch, you get regular service with direct peak trains to Manhattan terminals. Scheduled rides often land in the mid 30 to low 40 minutes range depending on the train. Check current times on the Babylon Branch timetable.
- From Long Beach on the Long Beach Branch, you will see through trains to Penn Station and, in some schedules, Grand Central, with many trips in the 45 to 60 minute window. Verify today’s runs on the Long Beach Branch timetable.
Service patterns change. Use the MTA TrainTime app or the timetables above for door-to-door planning before you decide.
Driving, walkability, and parking
Merrick connects to Sunrise Highway and the Meadowbrook, Wantagh, and Southern State parkways. Most neighborhoods are car-forward, with a modest downtown near the LIRR. Long Beach is more walkable around the boardwalk and central corridors. Summer weekends bring heavier visitor traffic and tighter parking.
Costs to plan for
Taxes, fees, and insurance
- Merrick buyers should budget for Nassau County property taxes and single-family upkeep. For any property you consider, review parcel-level tax history on the official Nassau County land records lookup.
- Long Beach buyers should factor potential flood and wind insurance, especially in higher-risk FEMA zones common on the barrier island. The City outlines floodplain mapping, preparedness, and its participation in FEMA’s CRS program on the Long Beach flood information page.
- Parts of Merrick near bays and channels may also lie in FEMA flood zones. Always get an address-level FEMA map check and an insurance quote before finalizing a budget.
Ownership profile and carrying costs
Merrick’s ownership pattern often means more single-family maintenance, while Long Beach’s condo and co-op options come with monthly association fees. If you are comparing two listings at the same price, compare total monthly carrying costs, not just list price.
Dining, schools, and daily rhythm
Merrick’s dining scene trends year-round and locally focused, including waterfront staples like SALT on the Water. Long Beach’s restaurant and cafe lineup swells with the season, especially around the boardwalk, with more nightlife in summer. The city guide is a good snapshot of the warm-weather calendar.
For schools, Merrick addresses feed local elementary union free districts that join the Bellmore–Merrick Central High School District for grades 7 through 12. Long Beach runs one citywide district; see the Long Beach City School District overview for up-to-date program and enrollment details. Confirm any address against official district tools before you decide.
Quick decision checklist
- Commute tolerance: What is your acceptable door-to-door time to Manhattan or your office? Compare sample trips on the Babylon Branch timetable and the Long Beach Branch timetable.
- Home type: Do you want a detached home with a yard and possible dock potential, or a condo and boardwalk living near dining and events? Owner-occupancy and housing mixes differ in each community, as shown in the Census QuickFacts linked above.
- Flood and insurance: Are you comfortable with higher storm-related insurance and mitigation planning on a barrier island, or do you prefer inland pockets with lower exposure? Review the City’s guidance on the Long Beach flood information page, then pull address-level FEMA maps and quotes.
- Budget reality: Medians shift by season and property type. Compare a Merrick single-family to a Long Beach condo side by side, including taxes and monthly fees.
- Schools and programs: Prefer a single city district or an elementary feeder model with a separate central high school district? Confirm any address with official district resources.
- Lifestyle: Do you picture daily boardwalk strolls and ocean swims, or backyard barbecues and bayside kayaking? Let your day-to-day picture lead the choice.
Which one fits you?
Choose Merrick if you want a more suburban setting with single-family homes, yards, and a bayside rhythm. You can reach the ocean at Jones Beach when you want it and return to quieter streets at day’s end.
Choose Long Beach if you want to live in a walkable beach city, enjoy the boardwalk, and accept some seasonality, summer crowds, and potential flood-related planning in exchange for ocean living.
If you want a local, neighborhood-first advisor to help you compare listings, carrying costs, and commute options in real time, reach out to Robyn Goldowski. From curated tours to data-backed pricing and valuations, you will get clear guidance tailored to how you live.
FAQs
Is Merrick or Long Beach better for NYC commuting?
- Merrick often has slightly shorter scheduled LIRR rides on the Babylon Branch, while Long Beach commutes on the Long Beach Branch typically run a bit longer. Always confirm current times on the MTA timetables before deciding.
How does flood risk differ between Merrick and Long Beach?
- Much of Long Beach lies in higher-risk FEMA zones due to its barrier-island location, so flood insurance is common. Parts of Merrick near bays and canals can also be in flood zones. Check address-level FEMA maps and insurer quotes for any property.
What types of homes are most common in each area?
- Merrick is primarily detached single-family homes on tree-lined streets, with some canal and bayfront properties. Long Beach mixes single-family pockets with a larger share of condos and co-ops near the boardwalk and downtown.
Are home prices very different between Merrick and Long Beach?
- Headline median prices can look similar at times, but what you get for the price is not the same. Compare by property type and location, and include taxes, association fees, and insurance when you evaluate budget.
How walkable are Merrick and Long Beach day to day?
- Long Beach is more walkable in the downtown and boardwalk areas, especially in summer. Merrick has a smaller walkable core near the LIRR, and most neighborhoods are car-oriented with easy access to parkways.
