Get to Know Great Neck

The Great Neck peninsula comprises nine villages (and several unincorporated areas) and covers almost 9.6 square miles and is the closest suburb to New York City on Long Island’s North Shore. Great Neck has been as aspirational destination for more than a century, its reputation immortalized in The Great Gatsby as the real-life inspiration for the fictional town of West Egg, home to Jay Gatsby. As it shares a border with Queens, the region is often a top choice for the Queens residents looking for more space. And with everything from split-level houses to waterfront estates, more space is definitely available in Great Neck. The region, located just over the border in Nassau County, is close enough to New York City that it’s a quick drive to the city for a weekend brunch, or a 24-minute ride on the LIRR to Penn Station on weekday mornings.

Living in Nassau County

Nassau County’s North Shore, also known as the Gold Coast, is where to go to live the good life. Here, you’ll find waterfront towns filled with splendid real estate, and all located just a short train ride away from New York City. In the early and mid-1900s, the Gold Coast was home to palatial properties, inspiring F. Scott Fitzgerald to set The Great Gatsby in his fictional versions of Great Neck and Sands Point, describing houses where the lawn stretched from the beach to the front door. Those estates are mostly gone, many transformed into nature preserves, museums, and in one case, into the grounds of the North Shore University Hospital. The lure of living on the North Shore is still strong though, as newcomers and natives alike are drawn to the prospect of backyards with enough space for a playset, warm and welcoming communities, and a quick commute to Manhattan.