Sea Cliff vs. Long Beach: Which is Better for You?

Sea Cliff and Long Beach are two NYC suburbs with some of the best beach access in the city. Sea Cliff sits right on Hempstead Harbor, while Long Beach takes up the middle section of Long Beach Barrier Island on the Atlantic Ocean.

While Long Beach and Sea Cliff share similarities, they are unique in terms of their communities, everyday lifestyles, and real estate opportunities. To help you decide which is right for you, we’ve covered some of the highlights of each—plus 10 homes for sale right now.

Sea Cliff is a village and suburb of NYC with a population of around 5,000. Niche.com gives it an A+ rating, with especially high scores for nightlife, public schools, and outdoor activities. Residents love the close-knit community and easy commute to other parts of the city. Enjoy access to the beach and car-free living. That’s right—this suburb is so walkable, you don’t need a vehicle to get around.

Sea Cliff is a good choice for you if you’re looking for a quaint, small-town feel. Though it’s only one square mile, this village is packed with so many community activities and locally-owned shops and restaurants, you’ll never run out of things to do. Head to Sea Cliff Avenue to grab a cup of coffee or see local musicians play live.

Sea Cliff is known for beautiful victorian and colonial homes on lush lots. The median sold price in the last 12 months was $825,000, and at that value, you can expect three to four bedrooms, two to three baths, and mature landscaping.

Sea Cliff is in a seller’s market. That means available inventory is lower than demand, and homes tend to sell quickly and at higher prices. In October, the average Sea Cliff property sold after 47 days on the market—up 71% from 28 days in October 2021.

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, — square feet
Listing by Vivian Parisi • Compass Greater NY LLC, 516-517-4751
OneKey #3421203

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, — square feet
Listing by Terry Sciubba • Signature Premier Properties, 516-671-1717
OneKey #3421997

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, — square feet
Listing by Barbara Sinenberg • Signature Premier Properties, 516-671-1717
OneKey #3437416

6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, — square feet
Listing by Wellington Rios • Keller Williams Rty Gold Coast, 516-482-0200
OneKey #3423090

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1,475 square feet
Listing by DayAnn McManus • Richard B Arnold
Listing by Kayla Mcmanus • Richard B Arnold, 516-671-8800
OneKey #3391093

Didn't find what you were looking for? See all available homes for sale now in Sea Cliff.

Long Beach is another NYC suburb in Nassau County. The population here is higher at around 33,000, making Long Beach a better choice for those seeking a more urban feel. Long Beach is considered Somewhat Walkable by WalkScore, meaning you can accomplish some errands on foot—but you’ll probably want a car to get around.

Residents of Long Beach love the boardwalk, clean beach, and easy train access to the rest of the city. Looking for something to do close to home? There are always community events happening here, from free-play sports groups to seasonal celebrations.

Long Beach’s real estate market is not as competitive for buyers as Sea Cliff’s. There is significantly more available inventory, and the average home spends 53 days on the market before selling. Home prices are also lower. The median sold price of the last 12 months was around $629,000, 24% less than Sea Cliff’s $825,000.

Long Beach is a great choice for those who desire condo living. Single-family homes can be found in both Sea Cliff and Long Beach—but there are currently 14 condos for sale in Long Beach, while there are zero in Sea Cliff.

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,966 square feet
Listing by Barbara Mullaney • Berkshire Hathaway, 516-431-0828
OneKey #3435617

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,794 square feet
Listing by Alex Rubin • Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-432-3400
OneKey #3438481

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,589 square feet
Listing by Mary Whelan • Berkshire Hathaway
Listing by Tracey Johnson • Berkshire Hathaway, 516-431-0828
OneKey #3437997

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, — square feet
Listing by Rosemary Talkin • Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Rlty, 516-678-1510
OneKey #3441322

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,274 square feet
Listing by Alex Rubin • Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-432-3400
OneKey #3439914

Whether you answered yes or no, the real estate experts at Leatherman Homes are here to help. If you need help sorting out details like location and financing before you start your home search, get in touch for personalized guidance. If you’re raring to go with your must-have list in hand, our team will help you find the perfect property in no time. Fill out the form below to get started.

All listings provided courtesy of OneKey MLS.

Did any of these homes catch your eye? Reach out today to schedule a showing!