34. Oyster Bay, N.Y.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 294,520 |
| Median Home Price | $470,000 |
| Property Tax | $12,473 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% |
| Commute time | 33 minutes |
As its name might suggest, Oyster Bay is a seashore town with fantastic beach access, at least when it’s warm. A part of Long Island, Oyster Bay is comprised of 18 villages and hamlets, with these areas merging to provide a small community feeling away from the congestion of New York City. Manhattan is just a train ride away, though, and this city access expands Oyster Bay into a cultural jumping-off point for many of its residents, ranking especially high among towns of similar size.
The history of Oyster Bay sets it apart from many towns as well, and Oyster Bay was the location of Summer Hill, Theodore Roosevelt’s summer White House, now a museum. Historic houses in the area jump off the market quickly, but much of its housing remains relatively affordable. With a high-ranking school system as well, Oyster Bay perfectly combines culture and opportunity, making it a good choice for families.
Oyster Bay ranks highly in terms of job growth and economic opportunity compared to other mid-sized cities -- and the job market is only expected to grow, by 4.3% over the next five years. These perks, unfortunately, don’t come cheap, with median home prices of $470,000 and average property taxes of about $12,473 in Oyster Bay.