Living on Long Island in the 1960s: A Decade of Change, Charm & Community
Share
The 1960s were a transformative time across America—and Long Island was no exception. It was a decade filled with rock ‘n’ roll, backyard BBQs, drive-in movies, and a booming suburban lifestyle. Families were growing, neighborhoods were blossoming, and the Island was alive with the spirit of the American Dream.
If you were lucky enough to live on Long Island in the ‘60s, you know it was a special time. If not, let’s take a trip back and revisit what life was like during this unforgettable decade.
🚲 Suburban Life & Tight-Knit Communities
Post-war growth continued into the 1960s, with towns like Levittown, Massapequa, Wantagh, and Commack rapidly expanding. Rows of ranches and Cape Cod-style homes lined the streets, each with manicured lawns, aluminum awnings, and station wagons parked out front.
Kids played stickball in the street, rode banana seat bikes with baseball cards in the spokes, and ran through sprinklers while their parents relaxed on lawn chairs sipping Tab or Schlitz. Doors were often left unlocked. Neighbors knew each other by name. It was small-town charm in a suburban setting.
🏖️ Summers Were for Beaches & Ice Cream
Long Island summers in the ‘60s meant heading to Jones Beach, Long Beach, or even Montauk with the whole family. Radios played The Beatles or The Beach Boys, and kids built sandcastles while parents napped under umbrellas.
After a day in the sun, families would stop by places like Friendly’s, Carvel, or a local malt shop for a sundae or milkshake. Summer wasn’t complete without a stop at the drive-in movie theater, where families would pile into the car for a double feature under the stars.
🕺 The Sounds of the Sixties
Music was the heartbeat of the decade. Long Island teens spun vinyl records of Elvis Presley, The Supremes, Frankie Valli, and later, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. High school dances and basement parties were all about sock hops and slow dances under a spinning disco ball.
Local venues like The Action House in Island Park and later My Father’s Place in Roslyn were the start of something big—hosting bands before they made it to the big stage.
🚗 Cruisin’ the Strip & Car Culture
Owning a car became a rite of passage. Teenagers couldn’t wait to get their license and hit the road in their Chevys, Fords, or Dodge Darts. Cruising down Sunrise Highway or Merrick Road with the radio blasting was the ultimate weekend activity.
Gas was around 31 cents a gallon, and you could take $5 and drive around all night, stop for burgers at Wetson’s or White Castle, and still have change left over.
🏠 Home Prices & Family Life
The American Dream was alive and well. In the early 1960s, the average home on Long Island cost between $15,000 and $20,000. Most families were single-income households, with mom often staying home and dad commuting to work by train or car.
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) became a lifeline for suburban commuters heading into Manhattan, while local economies boomed with mom-and-pop shops, diners, and community banks.
📺 Life Before the Internet
Entertainment meant gathering around the TV to watch I Love Lucy, The Ed Sullivan Show, or the moon landing in 1969. Families ate dinner together every night, usually at the kitchen table, and weekends were for visiting relatives or hosting block parties.
Kids didn’t need Wi-Fi—they had board games, comic books, and hours of outdoor play. The world felt bigger, and life moved just a little slower.
🕊️ A Decade of Change
The 1960s also saw a cultural shift. The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and changing societal norms shaped how people thought and lived. Long Island, like the rest of the country, felt the growing pains—but also embraced progress and pride.
🌅 Final Thoughts: The Heart of the Island
To live on Long Island in the 1960s was to experience a blend of innocence and innovation. It was a time when community mattered, and life was centered around family, friends, and fun.
Whether it was the smell of charcoal grills in the summer, the hum of a record spinning in the living room, or the joy of a simple drive with the windows down, Long Island in the ‘60s holds a special place in the hearts of many.
