long island

in southern New York State, along with New York City. Nassau and Suffolk make up psuedo-long island, which techincally not part of the city. But most of nassau and western suffolk have the same culture and same or close "new york minute" feeling(rush hour for example). After all most of the skilled workforse for the city comes from the island, and its the money those people bring home that keeps long islands economy strong. Most of long island is suburbs, from the town of brookhaven in suffolk to the queens border. Some of the areas are more urban than others, and some completely urban(spots in nassau, for example). Ask anyone, either they or their parents have lived in the city at one point in recent history; people move to get into more suburban atomosphere and to be closer to the beaches. And to clear the "New Yorker" term up. "New Yorker" comes from "NEW YORK City" not New York State, so it refers to people in the city. Since Long Island is so closely connected with teh city, both culturly and geographically (brooklyn and queens are on long island), Long Islanders are also called New Yorkers (except for the east enders who stay in their shells and never go west). While out of staters can call people from upstate New Yorkers, its because they dont know the area well. Upstate is completely different than downstate, its more like pennsylvania, and doesnt embrase the "New York" atmosphere.