The city of New York is desired by many as a great place to live and do business. Many move to NYC to find better opportunities on employment, recreation, business, healthcare, and overall quality of living, which comes with earning a higher income. However, for many the city has become unaffordable. Manhattan real estate is untouchable. One of the reasons why New York real estate is so expensive is the concept of supply and demand. Simply put, there are more people who want to live in this city than living spaces available. The best areas of the city sell for over a million, and a few up incoming neighborhoods present great opportunities for families who want to raise their kids in the city, and young professionals. This makes other comparable cities of New York, more affordable and an option. One of these places is Long Island.

Compared to pricey Manhattan, Long Island real estate is more affordable; however, this does not mean that is inexpensive or cheap. Prices in Long Island are not cheap, and Long Island has seen many of its residents moving to other pastures during the past couple of years due to the increase in prices and taxes, especially young people who cannot afford to live there anymore. In fact, you have to make a hefty income to own property in Long Island. This city is becoming crowded, and many residents do not like the idea of more apartment complexes in the area. Young people in entry-level positions are not able to afford Long Island. The median housing income in the area is around $103,000. There is a shortage of affordable housing in the area, and lack of apartments. Long Island is single-family home friendly and does not welcome the increase in population and traffic that apartment complexes represent. Existing zoning play a big part on this situation. In addition, Long Island does not welcome the same diversity that New York City Manhattan does. Levittown has been said to have "race-restricted covenants." Even luxury builders have a problem with city building approval - density is not what Long Island wants and this has been made apparent, through the years. Affordable housing projects are not welcomed in this area. Opposition in the courts about not wanting low income and affordable housing built is common, and many say that the attitude borders in violation of the Federal Housing Act.

The truth is that Long Island will never see the melting pot that is welcomed in New York City Manhattan. For people looking for affordable housing and the diversity that NYC offers, Long Island might not be the place to be. For over 40 years plus, town meetings opposing these types of real estate projects have gotten heated - so this is not an easy pattern to break. Many are of the opinion that affordable housing in Long Island has become a crisis. Many groups, who support it, are stopped at the town hall meetings.

Long Island is a beautiful city, trying to keep a small town living appeal and their high property values, and this becomes evident at town meetings.