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Five Suffolk County communities are ranked among the top 100 places to live in New York state, according to Niche’s 2025 Best Places to Live in America report, released Monday.
The annual report evaluates factors such as public schools, crime rates, housing and quality of life to determine rankings.
Dix Hills, No. 36 among the best places to live in New York state, remained Suffolk County’s top-ranked community, just as it was in Niche’s 2023 and 2024 reports. Suffolk’s top seven communities received A+ overall grades from Niche, while those ranked eighth through 20th earned an A.
Dix Hills garnered high marks for its top-rated Half Hollow Hills School District and its suburban feel with ample access to parks and recreational facilities.
At No. 2 is Stony Brook, valued in the report for its vibrant educational and cultural scene, together with highly regarded public schools, waterfront view and the quaint little Stony Brook Village shopping center.
Centerport, known for its picturesque harbor and strong community engagement, landed at No. 3 on the Suffolk list, with Port Jefferson and West Hills rounding out the top five.
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Niche’s annual report uses a combination of federal and local data, along with resident reviews, to determine overall rankings, as well as across several categories.
Suffolk’s ‘best’
Here are the top 20 communities in Suffolk County, according to Niche:
- Dix Hills
- Stony Brook
- Centerport
- Port Jefferson
- West Hills
- Poquott
- Greenlawn
- Head of the Harbor
- Elwood
- Northport
- Cold Spring Harbor
- Commack
- Mount Sinai
- Old Field
- Melville
- Village of the Branch
- Huntington Bay
- Lloyd Harbor
- Westhampton Beach
- Nissequogue
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New York’s ‘best’
Below are the five Best Places to Live in New York, according to Niche:
- Great Neck Plaza (Nassau)
- Little Italy (New York City)
- Kensington (Nassau)
- Ardsley (Westchester)
- Kips Bay (New York City)
The nation’s ‘best’
Below are the five Best Places to Live in America, according to Niche:
- Colonial Village, Virginia
- Atlantic Station, Georgia
- Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania
- Harbour Island, Florida
- City Center, California
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“Where you live shapes so many aspects of your life, from career opportunities to the sense of community you feel,” said Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche. “At Niche, we are proud to provide rankings that empower people to make informed decisions based on what matters most to them, whether that’s great schools, affordability, or access to parks and local businesses.”
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Top photo: Half Hollow Hills West High School students enjoying homecoming day festivities last fall (Facebook).
