ISLIP GIRLS- I need your help!

Hello ladies! FH and I are being asked to leave the house we live in by the end of July, [yes that's 6 weeks before my wedding! ] and have decided to look for a house. We figure we'd rather pay our own mortgage than somebody else's!! Considering we are also paying for our wedding, I am a bit stressed about the whole thing!

So, just wanted to get some info from girls who live in the Town of Islip. We are looking in Islip, East Islip and Islip Terrace. How are the schools out there? The neighborhoods? Are the people friendly? Anything you have to say that will give me and FH some insight would be so helpful!! We don't know much about the area.

TIA!! I cannot believe we are moving to Suffolk!! We will actually have a yard!!

I grew up in East Islip. The schools are really good, though I know they always have budget issues because the school taxes are so high and the teachers get paid so much, but that seems to be relatively common on LI>

I always thought East Islip was a bit nicer than Islip Terrace but I could be biased. I just know that when you drive up Carelton and Connetquot Avenues, Islip Terrace tends to look a little more run down..

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Posted by melbalalala

I know they always have budget issues because the school taxes are so high and the teachers get paid so much, but that seems to be relatively common on LI>

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Off Topic: Being a teacher, I wish we got paid so much! I would love to see the money everyone thinks we make!! A common misconception is that LI teachers make so much money, when in actuality, you only make loads of money after 30 or so years, just like anyone else who works and gets raises over the years.

Back to topic: Islip is a nice area. East Islip is nice too. The have cute little main streets with little shops, etc. and the schools are very good.

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Posted by faithandkevin

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Posted by melbalalala

I know they always have budget issues because the school taxes are so high and the teachers get paid so much, but that seems to be relatively common on LI>

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Off Topic: Being a teacher, I wish we got paid so much! I would love to see the money everyone thinks we make!! A common misconception is that LI teachers make so much money, when in actuality, you only make loads of money after 30 or so years, just like anyone else who works and gets raises over the years.

Back to topic: Islip is a nice area. East Islip is nice too. The have cute little main streets with little shops, etc. and the schools are very good.

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Main street in Islip is MUCH cuter than Main Street in East Islip.

Compared to where I live in the Washington, DC area teachers on LI DO get paid 'so much' and the cost of living is about the same here as it is on LI. Im not saying teachers shouldn't get paid 'so much', Im saying that the budgets in East Islip tend not to pass very often because residents have the perception that their taxes are too high because teacher salaries are too high. Often, these two things aren't even correlated, people are just easily convinced that they are.

Holy off-topic! I guess my point was, if they tend to make the EI school district their permanent home for family raising, they should know that in the past 10-15 years the school budget has always been a big issue and passing it is difficult.

in my research when I was househunting, I liked E. Islip the best - but right now they are on an austerity budget.

W. Islip is also nice.

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Posted by melbalalala
Im saying that the budgets in East Islip tend not to pass very often because residents have the perception that their taxes are too high because teacher salaries are too high.

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You are right about that!! That's definitely why they don't vote yes!

don't know about the school districts but my mom lives in Islip off Rt 111 .. there are tons of houses for sale in the area and they are very cute especially for starter homes .. i know that maybe no help but just thought i'd throw it out there

Me and FH bought a co-op in Islip. We love it here! Islip is such a great location, shopping and restaurants are just a few minutes away!! Main Street is great. From what I hear the schools aren't bad at all then again we don't have kids yet. I do know the people are great and we have great neighbors!!
As for the budget vote, all of Long Island has budget issues. That's the nature of Long Island. But I do wish I was a teacher!!

Wow!! This is the first time that I had a chance to get back on LIW since I posted this message- thanks for the insight ladies! The taxes are crazy out in Islip but I have only heard great things about the schools, especially East Islip!

Tomorrow my parents and I have appts. at 8 houses!! Lucky for me my stepmom is a RE agent!! Unlucky for me- FH had foot surgery on Wed. and can't walk, so that is why I am going to look with my parents and narrow it down, then bring him next week when he can walk again. We actually saw a house in Islip Terrace that we really fell in love with on Wed. morning, but we are keeping our options open and will probably make an offer next week once our financials are all set.

At least the properties are huge out there! Makes paying all of those taxes a bit more bearable!! Any other comments are welcome!

Bay Shore school district is wonderful, I really can't say enough about it. Prices and taxes are a little high in Bay Shore though in some areas.

Good Luck!