Choosing between coastal Long Island and lakeside Vermont? Here’s an honest comparison of Mt. Sinai NY and Burlington VT to help you decide which community fits your lifestyle.

On the surface, Mt. Sinai and Burlington couldn’t be more different. One is a quiet Long Island suburb an hour from Manhattan. The other is Vermont’s largest city (though still small by most standards) nestled on Lake Champlain with mountain views. Yet both attract families and professionals seeking quality of life, good schools, and strong communities.

We’re Heritage Diner in Mt. Sinai, and we’ve served coffee to plenty of folks considering this exact move—whether leaving Long Island for Vermont’s lifestyle or coming from Vermont to be closer to NYC. Here’s what you need to know about both places.

The Big Picture: Two Very Different Worlds

Mt. Sinai: Long Island Suburb with NYC Access

Mt. Sinai is a classic American suburb on Long Island’s North Shore. Population around 13,000, it’s a bedroom community where families raise kids, commute to NYC when needed, and enjoy beaches on the Long Island Sound. You’re an hour from Manhattan but living in peaceful suburbia with excellent schools.

Burlington: Progressive College Town Meets Outdoor Paradise

Burlington is Vermont’s largest city at 45,000 people (still small!), home to the University of Vermont, and consistently ranked one of America’s best small cities. It’s got a vibrant downtown, Lake Champlain waterfront, craft brewery scene, and the Green Mountains as your backyard. Think liberal politics, outdoor culture, and fierce local pride.

The fundamental difference: Mt. Sinai is about NYC proximity and Long Island lifestyle. Burlington is about escaping the Northeast corridor entirely for Vermont’s independent character.

Housing Costs: The Money Conversation

Mt. Sinai Housing Market

Median home price: $550,000-$700,000
What you get: 3-4 bedroom single-family home, 1,800-2,500 sq ft, 0.25-0.5 acre lot
Property taxes: $12,000-$16,000/year (this is the Long Island tax reality)
Style: 1960s-1980s colonials, ranches, split-levels, Cape Cods
Market: Competitive, moves quickly, limited inventory

Burlington Housing Market

Median home price: $450,000-$600,000
What you get: Varies widely—Victorian in the Hill Section, newer home in suburbs, or condo near downtown
Property taxes: $6,000-$10,000/year (significantly lower than Long Island)
Style: Historic Victorians, classic New England homes, newer construction in South Burlington
Market: Extremely tight inventory, competitive, prices rising fast

Cost winner: Burlington edges out Mt. Sinai on home prices and especially on property taxes. However, Burlington’s market is extremely tight with very limited inventory, so finding what you want can be harder.

Climate: This Is a Major Difference

Mt. Sinai Climate (Long Island)

Winter: Cold but manageable (20s-40s°F), moderate snow (20-30 inches/year), some nor’easters
Summer: Warm and humid (70s-80s°F), beach weather June-September
Spring/Fall: Gorgeous, mild, comfortable
Overall: Four distinct seasons, but winters are milder than inland Northeast

Burlington Climate (Vermont)

Winter: COLD and snowy (average 81 inches of snow!), temps often in single digits or below zero
Summer: Perfect—mid 70s-low 80s, low humidity, stunning
Spring/Fall: Fall foliage is world-famous, spring can be muddy
Overall: If you don’t love winter sports, Burlington’s winters will test you

Climate reality: Burlington gets TRIPLE the snow of Mt. Sinai and is significantly colder. If you’re moving from Long Island to Burlington, your first winter will be a shock. But if you ski, snowboard, or embrace winter outdoor activities, Burlington is paradise.

Schools: Both Deliver Quality

Mt. Sinai School District

Small district: one elementary, one middle school, one high school
96%+ graduation rate, strong college placement
Excellent academics, STEM programs, athletics
Teachers know students personally due to small size
Active parent community and well-funded programs
Very little turnover—kids grow up together K-12

Burlington Schools

Burlington School District serves the city
Good academics with progressive education approach
Strong arts programs and outdoor education emphasis
More diverse student body than surrounding Vermont towns
UVM partnership provides some enrichment opportunities
Some families choose South Burlington schools or private options

School comparison: Mt. Sinai has a slight edge in rankings and test scores, but Burlington schools offer a more progressive, arts-focused approach. Both are solid choices. If schools are your top priority, research specific schools within Burlington as quality varies by neighborhood.

Commuting & Proximity to Major Cities

From Mt. Sinai

To NYC: 15 minutes to Port Jefferson LIRR, then 90-100 minutes to Penn Station (about 2 hours door-to-door)
To Boston: 4+ hours by car
International airports: JFK and LaGuardia within 90 minutes
Daily commute: Very doable to NYC, people do it daily

From Burlington

To NYC: 5+ hours by car, or fly from Burlington International Airport (limited flights, pricey)
To Boston: 3.5 hours by car
To Montreal: 90 minutes—this is your major city access
International airport: Burlington International is small but functional
Daily commute: Remote work required; this is NOT a commuter town

The reality: If you work in NYC, Mt. Sinai works (though it’s a long commute). If you work in NYC, Burlington doesn’t work unless you’re fully remote. Burlington is for people cutting ties with the NYC metro area, not staying connected to it.

Lifestyle & Culture: Completely Different Vibes

Mt. Sinai: Quiet Suburban Family Life

Mt. Sinai is unpretentious Long Island suburbia at its finest. Life revolves around family, kids’ activities, weekend beach trips, and local routines.

Weekend activities: Cedar Beach, Little League games, Heritage Diner breakfast, yard work, kids’ sports
Community vibe: Tight-knit, everyone knows everyone, generational families
Dining: Local diners (like us!), pizzerias, family Italian spots, nothing fancy
Entertainment: Drive to nearby towns or into NYC for culture/nightlife
Political lean: Mixed suburban Long Island—moderate, not particularly political

At Heritage Diner, we see the same families every Saturday morning, celebrating birthdays and graduations. That’s Mt. Sinai—predictable, comfortable, community-focused.

Burlington: Progressive College Town Energy

Burlington punches above its weight culturally. It feels like a small city, not a town.

Weekend activities: Church Street Marketplace, farmer’s markets, hiking Camel’s Hump, skiing, brewery hopping, live music
Community vibe: Progressive, environmentally conscious, outdoor-obsessed, fiercely local
Dining: Farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries (Burlington is Vermont’s beer capital), ethnic diversity, foodie culture
Entertainment: Live music venues, UVM events, outdoor festivals, arts scene
Political lean: Very liberal/progressive—Bernie Sanders country

Burlington has culture, nightlife, and an active downtown that Mt. Sinai simply doesn’t. If you want walkable urban amenities in a small-city package, Burlington delivers.

Outdoor Recreation: Burlington Dominates

Mt. Sinai Outdoor Activities

Cedar Beach on Long Island Sound (swimming, sunsets)
Boating and fishing access
Some hiking trails on North Shore
Golf courses nearby
Beach lifestyle in summer

Burlington Outdoor Paradise

Water: Lake Champlain (sailing, kayaking, swimming, waterfront bike path)
Mountains: Green Mountains for hiking, skiing Stowe/Smugglers’ Notch (30-45 min away)
Winter sports: Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing
Hiking: Endless trails—Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield, Adirondacks across the lake
Biking: Mountain biking and road cycling culture
Year-round: Outdoor lifestyle is THE defining feature of Burlington

Outdoor winner: Burlington, no contest. If your ideal weekend involves hiking, skiing, or lake activities, Burlington is heaven. Mt. Sinai has beaches but can’t compete with mountain access.

Food & Dining Scene

Mt. Sinai: Comfort Food, Not Culinary Adventure

Mt. Sinai’s dining is simple, reliable, and family-focused. We’re not trying to impress foodie critics—we’re feeding neighbors.

Heritage Diner: Classic American breakfast and comfort food, generations of families
Local pizzerias that have perfected their recipes over decades
Italian-American restaurants
Chain restaurants in nearby shopping areas
For variety, drive to Port Jefferson (15 min) or into NYC

Burlington: Farm-to-Table & Craft Beer Capital

Burlington’s food scene is legitimately impressive for a city its size.

Farm-to-table restaurants showcasing Vermont ingredients
20+ craft breweries (Heady Topper, Switchback, Zero Gravity, etc.)
Ethnic diversity: Thai, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese
Church Street restaurants and cafes
Strong local food movement and farmers markets
Breakfast spots, bagel shops, and coffee culture

Food winner: Burlington by a mile. The brewery scene alone is worth the move for beer enthusiasts.

Job Market & Economy

Mt. Sinai Employment

Most residents commute to NYC or work on Long Island
Local jobs: healthcare (Stony Brook University Hospital nearby), retail, service
Key advantage: Access to NYC job market
Strong economy due to NYC proximity

Burlington Employment

University of Vermont is major employer
Healthcare: UVM Medical Center
Tech sector growing (some startups and remote workers)
Tourism and hospitality
Challenge: Smaller job market, lower salaries than NYC area
Many residents are remote workers or self-employed

Job reality: If you need to work locally, Burlington’s market is limited and salaries are lower. Mt. Sinai gives you access to NYC’s massive job market. Remote workers can thrive in Burlington.

Cost of Living Beyond Housing

Mt. Sinai

Property taxes: Very high ($12K-16K/year)
Groceries: Moderate to high (Long Island prices)
Utilities: Moderate
Gas: NY state taxes make it pricier
Insurance: Higher car insurance due to NY

Burlington

Property taxes: Lower ($6K-10K/year)
Groceries: Moderate (local food movement can be pricey, but options exist)
Utilities: Higher heating costs due to brutal winters
Gas: Lower than NY
Insurance: Lower car insurance

Overall cost of living: Roughly similar when you factor in Burlington’s heating costs against Mt. Sinai’s property taxes. Burlington has lower taxes but higher energy bills. Salaries are higher in NY metro area, which balances Mt. Sinai’s higher costs.

Population & Diversity

Mt. Sinai

Population: ~13,000
Demographics: Predominantly white, middle-class suburban
Age: Family-focused, lots of school-age children
Diversity: Limited compared to broader NYC metro area

Burlington

Population: ~45,000 (city), 220,000 (metro area)
Demographics: Predominantly white (Vermont is 94% white), but more diverse than rural Vermont
Age: Younger due to UVM, mix of students, young professionals, and families
Diversity: Limited racial diversity, but cultural/political diversity from college influence

Neither place is particularly diverse. Burlington has more cultural variety due to the university, but Vermont overall is very homogeneous.

Community & Social Life

Mt. Sinai: Neighborhood Roots

Mt. Sinai is where you build deep roots over decades. Your kids grow up with the same classmates K-12. You see the same families at Heritage Diner every weekend. Community events are well-attended. It’s stable, predictable, and comfortable.

Burlington: Engaged & Active Community

Burlington residents are civically engaged, politically active, and proud of their city. There’s a strong “buy local” ethos, farmer’s market culture, and community events year-round. It’s a place where people move TO, not just end up.

Healthcare Access

Mt. Sinai

Stony Brook University Hospital (15 minutes)—excellent academic medical center
Multiple hospitals on Long Island within 30 minutes
Easy access to NYC specialists
Robust healthcare infrastructure

Burlington

UVM Medical Center—excellent regional hospital
Good primary care and specialists
For rare/complex conditions, may need to travel to Boston
Healthcare quality is good but less specialized than NYC area

Healthcare edge: Mt. Sinai due to proximity to world-class NYC healthcare.

Quality of Life Factors

Traffic & Congestion

Mt. Sinai: Minimal local traffic, but LIE/Northern State can be brutal for commuting
Burlington: Light traffic even at “rush hour”—Burlington doesn’t really have traffic jams

Pace of Life

Mt. Sinai: Suburban pace—busy with kids’ activities but not rushed
Burlington: Relaxed Vermont pace despite being a city

Noise & Stress

Mt. Sinai: Quiet residential streets, peaceful
Burlington: Active downtown, but city is small enough to escape easily

The Winter Question: Can You Handle It?

This deserves its own section because Burlington’s winters are NO JOKE.

If you’re coming from Long Island, Burlington winter will shock you. We’re talking:

Average of 81 inches of snow (vs. Mt. Sinai’s 25 inches)
Temperatures regularly below zero in January/February
Winter lasts from November through March, sometimes into April
You MUST embrace winter sports or you’ll go stir-crazy
Everyone owns serious winter gear, snow tires are mandatory
Lake-effect snow off Lake Champlain

But here’s the flip side: Burlington’s summers are absolutely perfect—70s and 80s, low humidity, sunny, ideal. Many Burlington residents say the spectacular summers are worth enduring the winters.

Political & Cultural Climate

Mt. Sinai

Politically moderate suburban Long Island. Not particularly politically charged. People focus on local issues (schools, property taxes) rather than national politics.

Burlington

Very progressive. Bernie Sanders was Burlington’s mayor. Environmental activism, local food movement, LGBTQ+ friendly, socially liberal. If you’re conservative, you’ll feel out of place. If you’re progressive, you’ll feel right at home.

Who Should Choose Mt. Sinai?

Mt. Sinai is right for you if:

You work in NYC or need access to NYC job market
You want Long Island beach lifestyle
You prefer milder winters
You value proximity to world-class healthcare, culture, and airports
You want tight-knit suburban community
You’re raising kids and want excellent, predictable schools
You like being close to NYC without living there
You’re not into winter sports

Who Should Choose Burlington?

Burlington is right for you if:

You work remotely or can find work in Burlington’s smaller job market
You LOVE outdoor activities—skiing, hiking, mountain biking
You embrace winter or actively enjoy winter sports
You want progressive, environmentally conscious community
You value farm-to-table food, craft beer culture, and local businesses
You want small-city amenities with nature at your doorstep
You’re cutting ties with NYC metro area stress
You prioritize quality of life over salary/career advancement

The Honest Truth from Heritage Diner

Look, we’re biased—we’re a Mt. Sinai institution and we love this community. But we’ve also talked to plenty of people who left Long Island for Vermont and are thriving.

Mt. Sinai is for people who want the suburban dream with NYC access. You get excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, beaches, and the security of proximity to one of the world’s great cities. Life here is predictable, comfortable, and family-focused. You know what you’re getting.

Burlington is for people making a lifestyle change, not just a location change. You’re trading convenience and career opportunities for outdoor access, community character, and a slower pace. It’s a bigger leap.

Neither choice is wrong. But they’re fundamentally different paths.

Making the Decision

Here’s what we tell people at Heritage Diner when they’re wrestling with this choice:

Visit Burlington in February. Seriously. If you can’t handle -10°F and 3 feet of snow, you’ll hate it.
Assess your career situation. Can you work remotely? Is there a job for you in Burlington? Don’t underestimate this.
Consider your outdoor lifestyle. If you don’t ski/hike/bike, Burlington’s winters will feel very long.
Think about family proximity. Burlington is remote from NYC metro area. Visiting family becomes a production.
Test the commute from Mt. Sinai. Do the LIRR trip to Manhattan. Can you handle 2 hours each way? Or can you work remote most days?

Final Thoughts

Mt. Sinai and Burlington are both wonderful communities, but they’re wonderful in completely different ways.

If you’re staying connected to NYC—whether for work, family, or culture—Mt. Sinai makes sense. You get suburban peace with access to everything NYC offers.

If you’re ready to leave the NYC orbit entirely and embrace mountain life, craft beer culture, and brutal but beautiful winters, Burlington is incredible.

The right answer depends on your career, your family situation, your relationship with winter, and what you value most in daily life.

For us? We love Mt. Sinai. We love serving the same families every weekend, watching kids grow up, and being part of this tight-knit community. But we get why people are drawn to Burlington’s mountains and Vermont’s fierce independence.

Wherever you end up, we hope you find what you’re looking for.

Still in Mt. Sinai and thinking about your options? Come chat with us at Heritage Diner over breakfast. We’re not real estate agents, but we know this community inside and out—and we’d love to tell you why we think it’s special.