Need Neighborhood Advice... :)

Need Neighborhood Advice... :)

Well, I've gotten today's Newsday to plan my open house 'tour' this Sunday - it's depressing. We're trying to stay in the Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, maybe Massapequa areas and it doesn't look as though we can afford it!! We're not desperately looking, but we'd love to find something sooner than later.

Does anyone know anything about Copiague, Lindenhurst or Babylon?? Are they too far out for his commute to Brooklyn?? Our primary concerns are schools and staying under $300K so we can afford to keep our apartment in Manhattan!

Sigh... Any advice is appreciated!!

Need Neighborhood Advice... :)

I grew up in West Babylon and it's a nice area. Babylon is nice too, probably a little more expensive because you're near the water and the train station. West Babylon has a particularly good school district if that's a factor.

Lindenhurst and Copiague are nice middle class areas too. I would move to any of the three you mentioned, and you could probably stay under 300k in them, even in the nicer parts. The houses are a little cheaper because you're further from the city.

Speaking of which, if your husband commutes by train Babylon would not be bad b/c he could catch the express train, which would stop at Jamaica then continue to Brooklyn. If he commutes by car, it'll be tougher but not unheard of and not impossible.

Massapequa I'm not sure about (I think a few fellow newlyweds live there so maybe they will see your question) but my husband used to live in Wantagh and from casual looking it would probably be close to impossible to find a decent size house in those three towns for under 300k.

One more thing...If you're looking in south western Suffolk, I should let you know that Northern Amityville is an area you might want to avoid. Amityville (the south part of which is fine) is directly to the west of Copiague so if you see a good deal in Copiague check to make sure it's not too close to the border.

Good luck!

Need Neighborhood Advice... :)

Kathi,
I grew up in North Babylon and it is a great place to raise a family. My parents are selling their house. Its a big house, 4 bedrooms big backyard and deck. Let me know if you want any more info. Ohhh and by the way, I commuted to the city for about 5 years living in North Babylon. Its not a bad commute, and I also took the train into Brooklyn once in a while. It wasn't bad at all!!

Take care!
Lisa

Lisa!!

Shouldn't you be basking in the sun?? LOL. It's 38 degrees here now!!

Anyway, I didn't know your parents were selling their house - call me when you get home and 'settled' in.

Have a wonderful time!!

:)

Kathi

Hey Kathi! Congrats on all the good things happening for you right now!!

We bought in Massapequa but I have to admit the house was pricy - over $400 but it was the house we want 30 years from now and we don't have to do much work at all. But I think in certain areas of Mass/Mass Park there are all kinds of prices around.

Before we moved to Mass. we lived in West Babylon and looked for homes in West Babylon, Babylon and West Islip - all of which are great areas. When we lived in WB we commuted to the city and it wasn't bad at all - lots of express trains so it worked out fine. There are also a couple of Brooklyn trains during the rush hour from Babylon and Massapequa so that should help your hubby out. Let me know if you need any realtors in the Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa area - we looked for over a year and a half before we found 'the' house, so I know lots of them!! :)

Thanks for the tips, Lee! My search goes on! :) *NM*