My cousins lived in Great Neck, and we used to visit a LOT. Nothing at all "STEPFORD" nor particularly "cliquey" about that place; at least not when I knew it.
And as far as prices for homes/apartments in NYC and/or Long Island are concerned, it's ALWAYS been like this, since a bit after WW II!
What sounds like extremely expensive now, is only so outrageous because unlike past times, prices have NOT been adjusted during a massive recession nor a Depression ( which we were in for both terms of wee barry !), as it once was. It's called INFLATION; another term which the news refuses to talk about.
Great Neck is entirely different community. It does not have the clique feel about it, and you see evidence of people actually living there. I am assuming nothing. I posted what I saw, based on numerous recent trips through the area for Long Island errands.
I took a tour of Great Neck last year with a pal who lived there for years before relocating to NJ. She wanted to show me the Great Gatsby home where Scott & Zelda lived. We had lunch at a very good Jewish deli. The town was lively as hell. Beautiful town! My family lived on Long Island years ago in Valley Stream (not exactly Garden City OR Great Neck!)