Living Proud: Long Island Gets An “A”

While many Long Islander’s had to take up residence in more realistically priced regions and areas over the last several years, many still hold on to their roots and remain, like those of us still here proud to call Long Island home.

Now we may have new reason to. It seems that despite the high cost of living and the changing face of many of our communities Long Island is a great place to live. In fact, out of 100 U.S cities, it was ranked in the top three as one of the healthiest places for women to live.

This according to the December issue of Self magazine.

Researchers suggest that with relatively low crime, unemployment, and suicide rates and a population of mostly well-educated individuals and affluent residence, it continues to maintain a very positive appeal.

Experts assert that a healthy environment, in addition to other factors, allows women to grow and achieve physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And, in looking at various areas researchers looked at things that contribute to this enhanced quality of life such as availability and accessibility to parks, smoking bans, accessibility to hospitals and health care, among others. Plus, officials also looked at eating habits, cancer rates, depression and air quality. And, upon taking these factors into consideration Long Island rates third, with Honolulu coming in first and Portland Maine following.

And, last year the Nassau and Suffolk region came in first.

On the downside however is the fact that Long Island shows greater incidences of heart disease and breast cancer, though local women are more likely to get mammograms.

Another negative, though more recent, it the long commutes to and from work or into The City. On average we are looking at almost 75 minutes.

However, the proximity to beaches, wineries, and Manhattan, as well as an abundance of convenient local amenities, some of the best in the world, continue to make the area quite desirable.