Avoid Long Island If You Can (Babylon, Riverhead: high crime, mortgage, credit card)

[fopt65]

Originally Posted by TristansMommy

I was born and raised on LI. My parents came out here to Western Suffok from Queens in the 80's for exactly what you had said in your posts.

You are so dead on with this post. I currently own a small home in Levittown. My mortgage is $3300 /month with my taxes. All in all my basic expenses (car insurance, health insurance, car payement (cause you need one on LI), Utilities, Phone/Interent & Cable (which i need phone and net for work and they are bundled together) , Cell phone (which I need for work s well) costs me $6000 a month.!!! This doesn't even include groceries, diapers and any little extra's. I have NO SAVINGS account because there's nothing to save.

While I love my house and am proud to finally be a homeowner, I'm regretting my decision to buy (I bought in 2005). I bought a piece of poop I needed to sink so much money into.. it needed EVERYTHING. I am proud of it.. but I am stressed at my mortgage payments every month.

I have since had a child. Childcare is 1). Good luck finding a place that doesn't have a wiating list a year long especially for younger babies and those in diapers 2) if you have a 9-5 job 1/2 your paycheck will go to the daycare. I am self employed and so is my husband.. . and if we weren't, we DEFINATELY couldn't afford to live here.

I am middle class, and while I own a home here I hardly can afford it. I am researching where I can take my family to live a life where my husband can actually STOP working without fear that if he stops he will not make enough to pay oru bills/mortgage. AND...we can haev some money left over to save up for our chidrens (because we want more) college education.

The illegal rental problem.. well it's because the cost of living is so high in order for a couple to afford their home they need to rent out the space to help supplement income to pay their taxes/ mortgage. I have no problem with illegal apartments in my neighborhood as long as the tennants are quiet, clean and respectful.. and I don't get upset when I see a family renting out space..cause god knows they need to to pay the bills! Some of the towns have actually recognized that they need toamend their laws to allow for this..like in the Town of Babylon in Western Suffolk. They recognize the cost of livign is so that a family NEEDS to supplement and have legalized some rentals in a house.. other towns need to follow their lead!!

But..too late for this LI'r. I'm leaving and have been researching where to go. I have a 2 year exit plan.. hopefully if all goes well I will be living on a nice plot of land in a house twice the size for half the money on 3xs the land with my living costs cut in 1/2!! Amen to that.

I'm self employed as well and understand the health insurance costs. Put pen to paper and figure out if it would be better for one of you to bite the bullet and work for a company that will contribute to health insurance. Also, some companies are now subsidizing onsite child care, depending upon the field you are in.
Thoroughly research the area you are looking to move to. What competition will you have? How desired are your services, and what premium are they worth compared to LI? I looked at Lancaster and found (for me and my field) that the salary cut would be too much to justify the move even after considering housing/taxes. You don't want to be unpleasnatly surprised after relocating that the new place isn't any more affordable.

[TristansMommy]

Originally Posted by fopt65

I'm self employed as well and understand the health insurance costs. Put pen to paper and figure out if it would be better for one of you to bite the bullet and work for a company that will contribute to health insurance. Also, some companies are now subsidizing onsite child care, depending upon the field you are in.
Thoroughly research the area you are looking to move to. What competition will you have? How desired are your services, and what premium are they worth compared to LI? I looked at Lancaster and found (for me and my field) that the salary cut would be too much to justify the move even after considering housing/taxes. You don't want to be unpleasnatly surprised after relocating that the new place isn't any more affordable.

Thank you for your post. Fortunately my husband's field is something that he can do anywhere and make the same money, since we sell over the net to all over the world (which is a small portion of our business). I sell real estate and can do that anywhere as well. But, actually, when I move I really plan on having another child and staying home with my children full time. When they go off to school . I will make less because housing prices are less but that's perfectly okay with me. Plus, I'm sure I can find some kind of business I can open up there once I know the need.

I plan on doing a lot of research and am only at the start of it.

[NYNewbie]

1) Living on Long Island is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Move somewhere else and you won't have this self-contained island of pleasures. This is a beautiful place to live, and I am pleased to live here with my wife and son. There are other places that are more affordable but none that offers what this place does - proximity to NYC, ocean, beaches, countless parks (impeccably maintained), tree-lined parkways limited to cars, and SPECTACULAR SCHOOLS.

2) Cost of living is high, so adjust. I'd rather have access to NYC, good public radio, notable speakers weekly at my bookstore, fantastic libraries, top-notch schools, a ferry's ride from CT, close proximity by train to DC, easy access to Shea, and two airports, on, and on, and on.....then have a large vehicle, large flat-screen TV. I live a bohemian lifestyle here in a house that I bought and I feel like I'm on top of the world, just 40 miles from the nation's culture epicenter.

3) There isn't much here to rent, you are better off in the city. Buying isn't as tough as you think. If people were willing to move into homes in neighborhoods their racist attitudes keep them from buying in, they'd get something affordable, they could improve it, and contribute to gentrification.

Whine, whine, whine. Sounds like someone lived above his/her means and is experiencing some sour grapes.

[TristansMommy]

Originally Posted by NYNewbie

1) Living on Long Island is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Move somewhere else and you won't have this self-contained island of pleasures. This is a beautiful place to live, and I am pleased to live here with my wife and son. There are other places that are more affordable but none that offers what this place does - proximity to NYC, ocean, beaches, countless parks (impeccably maintained), tree-lined parkways limited to cars, and SPECTACULAR SCHOOLS.

2) Cost of living is high, so adjust. I'd rather have access to NYC, good public radio, notable speakers weekly at my bookstore, fantastic libraries, top-notch schools, a ferry's ride from CT, close proximity by train to DC, easy access to Shea, and two airports, on, and on, and on.....then have a large vehicle, large flat-screen TV. I live a bohemian lifestyle here in a house that I bought and I feel like I'm on top of the world, just 40 miles from the nation's culture epicenter.

3) There isn't much here to rent, you are better off in the city. Buying isn't as tough as you think. If people were willing to move into homes in neighborhoods their racist attitudes keep them from buying in, they'd get something affordable, they could improve it, and contribute to gentrification.

Whine, whine, whine. Sounds like someone lived above his/her means and is experiencing some sour grapes.

Your post cracked me up.

Hmm.. above and beyond my means.. what should I sacrafice.. health insurance.. sorry can't.. diabetic and a 1 year old baby.. need health insurance. ... costs about $761/ month (and climbs every year)

Hmm.. house.. I live in a small Levitt house.. sorry. didn't want to buy in a bad neighborhood where people get shot and killed on a regular basis.. but I don't live in a posh neighborhoood.. I live in a blue collar neighborhood. Guess what buddy.. can't buy anything DECENT on LI unless you spend over $300K.. and I bought my house 2 years ago when you couldn't buy anything decent for $350K.. I actually bought a piece a junk that I had to fix up to make liveable for $350 in my blue collar neighborhood. When did you buy your house?

What else.. well on LI to get to work YOU NEED A CAR because our transport system is unreliable.. so I need car insurance.. and the rates in NY are A LOT more expensive than anywhere else. With a child too, need a car to go to Dr. Appointments, grocery shopping etc.

Hmm.. can't sacrafice my oil to heat my house.. otherwise we'll have frozen pipes. And my tiny Levitt house with the thermo on a comfortable 69 - 70 (cause I did have an infant last year) cost me about $250 a month to heat. I fortunaltey don't need much air conditioning.. but my electric bill is STILL $170/month. Oh.. my taxes in my little Levitt house.. over $600 a month which is included on my mortgae payement of about $3300 / month. So tell me oh wise one.. what do you suggest I "sacrafice".

What I've sacraficed just to pay for the basics.. is time with my husband. Now , I can't work too much becasue child care costs on average $300/ week.. to have my son raised by strangers too! NO THANK YOU. But fortunately I am self employed so I can make some money while being an attentive mother. And.. even if I wanted to go to work at an office the waiting list is a year long before my son could get in. But to pay the bills, my husband works non stop - also self employed becasue if he had a 9-5 job he wouldn't make enough money.

Funny.. we have ALL those wonderful things.. but guess what.. NO TIME TO GO TO THEM BECAUSE WE CAN'T STOP WORKING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY THE BILLS. So..what's the point of having all those Libraries and events when you have no time to go. Schools.. guess what.. LI isn't the only place in the nation with good schools. There are a lot of places with good schools and guess what.. those parents actually RAISE THEIR OWN CHILDREN and don't expect the schools to do so (or their nannies). Check out the scores of some of the schools in places like PA.

NYC isn't the only city with culture.. there is DC and Phily. And guess what.. I plan on moving to a place where NY is only a min 4 hour ride too.. but is close to DC and Philidelphia as well. LI isn't the be all end all . There aer other very beautiful places to live that don't require you to sacrafice time with your children to afford to live in them. I was raised no LI , but the cost of living on LI has far exceeded the salary raises on LI. Check any Cost of living index and you will see that.

No sour grapes here.. I just feel that our governments in our towns, villages and counties tax tax tax (ase well as our schools) and waste waste waste.. And if LI doesn't keep it in check they will lose a lot of people.. hell they already are.

Let me ask you. .how long ago did you buy your house? If it was more than 10 years ago ,then you won't feel the effects you are speaking of. But ask yourself this.. if you had to pay what your house is worth on the market today.. would you be able too? many people I speak to say that they can't BELIEVE how much it takes to buy so little here and if they had to start out now with a new family they wouldn't be able to do it on LI because the cost of living is ridiculous and harder for the younger generation to start out. Let's see if your son, when he gets to marrying age and tries to go out on his own, will be able to live here unless he has signifigant help from his parents financially or he's an attorney, Dr. or other very high paying job.

[NYC2RDU]

Originally Posted by NYNewbie

1) Living on Long Island is expensive, but you get what you pay for.

2) Cost of living is high, so adjust. I'd rather have access to NYC, good public radio, notable speakers weekly at my bookstore, fantastic libraries, top-notch schools, a ferry's ride from CT, close proximity by train to DC, easy access to Shea, and two airports, on, and on, and on.....then have a large vehicle, large flat-screen TV.

3) Buying isn't as tough as you think. If people were willing to move into homes in neighborhoods their racist attitudes keep them from buying in, they'd get something affordable, they could improve it, and contribute to gentrification.

Whine, whine, whine. Sounds like someone lived above his/her means and is experiencing some sour grapes.

I would love it if I could buy drugs that allowed me to see the world with your optimism. While Long Island has great things to offer you could never truly get what you pay for. I'm sorry but that's just a clichéd statement and not supported by your post. I mean, I have exactly the same auto insurance in North Carolina that I did on Long Island and it cost 60% less. Now that's what I call getting what you pay for.

Cost of living is high? That's an understatement if ever I saw one. Dismissing the significance of same with a "get used to it" is like something out of a movie. Is that sort of like "C'mon, suck it up"? How do you adjust to having so much of your disposable income swallowed up by expenses required to simply keep you in your home? And don't be so provincial as to think that people who relocate away from Long Island do so to afford bigger homes and more toys. The only significant changes my family has experienced is that Daddy isn't losing sleep over the family finances any more.

As for your comments about racist attitudes; shame on you for being so presumptuous. Buying a home and risking your families future should not be about social re-engineering. Most people simply want a house that's in a safe neighborhood and presents a community where they can participate and socialize without fear of being ostracized or worse.

Your post reeks of someone who carries a huge chip on their shoulder. If you're trying to be provocative you've clearly overshot your goal.

Originally Posted by TristansMommy

Your post cracked me up.

Hmm.. above and beyond my means.. what should I sacrifice.. health insurance.. sorry can't.. diabetic and a 1 year old baby.. need health insurance. ... costs about $761/ month (and climbs every year)

..... No sour grapes here.. I just feel that our governments in our towns, villages and counties tax tax tax (as well as our schools) and waste waste waste.. And if LI doesn't keep it in check they will lose a lot of people.. hell they already are.

Let me ask you. .how long ago did you buy your house? If it was more than 10 years ago ,then you won't feel the effects you are speaking of. But ask yourself this.. if you had to pay what your house is worth on the market today.. would you be able too? many people I speak to say that they can't BELIEVE how much it takes to buy so little here and if they had to start out now with a new family they wouldn't be able to do it on LI because the cost of living is ridiculous and harder for the younger generation to start out. Let's see if your son, when he gets to marrying age and tries to go out on his own, will be able to live here unless he has significant help from his parents financially or he's an attorney, Dr. or other very high paying job.

Go get 'em!! Unless he's got serious funding behind him he'll soon come to understand how little his optimism is truly worth. Your post(s) present someone who has tired of the financial burden required to maintain a family on Long Island. Those that argue the counterpoint are simply (and justifiably) defending their decision to live there. But again, without proper funding it's all whistling past the graveyard. Their time is likely coming soon.

[TristansMommy]

[quote/]Go get 'em!! Unless he's got serious funding behind him he'll soon come to understand how little his optimism is truly worth. Your post(s) present someone who has tired of the financial burden required to maintain a family on Long Island. Those that argue the counterpoint are simply (and justifiably) defending their decision to live there. But again, without proper funding it's all whistling past the graveyard. Their time is likely coming soon.[/quote]
Thakn you for your post and your support!!!

[NYC2RDU]

Originally Posted by NYNewbie

1) Living on Long Island is expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Whine, whine, whine. Sounds like someone lived above his/her means and is experiencing some sour grapes.

Sorry for the second reply to this post but I missed the crucial element the first time around. You really are a brand new transplant to Long Island. That certainly explains your level of enthusiasm for living there. It also doesn't remotely qualify you to make some of the statements you've offered here.

Of course life on Long Island is worth it right now, you hit the ground with a budget and a plan to support it. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who doesn't have any unexpected expenses (but you have a child so don't count on it) or who doesn't suffer a job loss. Perhaps you've also factored in the annual cost of living increases (conservatively placed at 10%) and are confident you can keep up. But life doesn't usually track according to plan and what you haven't yet experienced is how unforgiving the New York experience is once you fall behind. And considering you were originally targeting Deer Park I'll have to assume you didn't enter the region with deep financial pockets.

Make all the pro-Long Island statements you want to, you're qualified. Don't however believe you've earned the right to bash on people who have reached the end of their financial ropes and are either venting or exploring their exit options. You're years away from fully understanding what you've truly gotten yourself into.

Oh, and one more thing. How can you move into East Northport and also challenge people by stating "If people were willing to move into homes in neighborhoods their racist attitudes keep them from buying in, they'd get something affordable, they could improve it, and contribute to gentrification"? That wreaks of hypocrisy on several levels and in my opinion calls into question the integrity of your posts. Which part of East Northport are you helping to re-gentrify; the section with the million dollar homes or the ones in the Elwood school district? And where do you feel you're making an anti-racist statement by buying into a prototypical upper middle class neighborhood?

[nbres]

NYNewbie gets it right:

Buying isn't as tough as you think. If people were willing to move into homes in neighborhoods their racist attitudes keep them from buying in, they'd get something affordable, they could improve it, and contribute to gentrification.

There are plenty of affordable homes all over Long Island if one were to put aside one's prejudicial attitudes. This whole discussion on Long Island about a lack of affordable housing is just bunk. There are plenty of homes out there for under $400,000, under $350,000 and even under $300,000. There is no economic rationale behind the assertion that there are no affordable homes on Long Island.

[Redd Jedd]

Originally Posted by nbres

NYNewbie gets it right:



There are plenty of affordable homes all over Long Island if one were to put aside one's prejudicial attitudes. This whole discussion on Long Island about a lack of affordable housing is just bunk. There are plenty of homes out there for under $400,000, under $350,000 and even under $300,000. There is no economic rationale behind the assertion that there are no affordable homes on Long Island.

As many people like to say on this board, "You get what you pay for". In a high cost area like LI, a house that sells for under $400K, much less $350K and under, does so for a reason. Usually location, condition, size, property taxes and other factors help set the price of a house. To present houses on MLSLI.com as proof of affordability is only starting point. Since one cannot view the long list of criteria that determine the price of a house by a short description and a few pictures on the Internet, you can't accurately say that one of these houses is what someone would actually want to buy within that price range.

To say that "There is no economic rationale behind the assertion that there are no affordable homes on Long Island" would, in my opinion, not be an entirely accurate statement.

[TristansMommy]

Originally Posted by nbres

NYNewbie gets it right:



There are plenty of affordable homes all over Long Island if one were to put aside one's prejudicial attitudes. This whole discussion on Long Island about a lack of affordable housing is just bunk. There are plenty of homes out there for under $400,000, under $350,000 and even under $300,000. There is no economic rationale behind the assertion that there are no affordable homes on Long Island.

Again.. you are SO new to Long Island and can't possibly understand what you have just posted. The houses that you speak of.. have you ever gone to those neighborhooods and SEEN them physically. Even in those neighborhoods the houses are over $300K and are in AWFUL condition. Are you suggesting that I raise my son in a neighborhood where gang violence, drugs and crime are rampant? So, in order to live in an "affordable" house on LI.. I need to live in a neighborhood that puts my child at risk? And this has NOTHING to do with what race anyone living in those towns are.. it's just facts.

And those schools in those neighborhoods are sub-par anyway. And THAT right there proves my point. Why should I move ot an "affordable" house on LI in a crack neighborhood with crime and violence in a run down dilapitated house for $300K when I can move to a place where crime isn't a factor, schools are good, and a house for $300K is in excellent condition, twice the size and on a nice plot of land? (and this does not exist on LI)!! Oh.. and taxes in those neighborhoods are just as high as in a "nicer" neighborhood, btw Again.. to "afford" LI is to pay a price NOT WORTH IT TO ME!!!

You go live in those neighborhoods... bet you wouldn't move there either. .. contact me when you find a house under $300K on LI that doesn't require about $100K worth of repairs on plubming, electric , roof etc.. because hte ONLY houses that go "cheap" go cheap for a reason! That's easy for you to say sitting perched in your house in a "nice" neighborhood. Bet you wouldn't want to live in what you deem as "affordable" on LI either.. And wethere they are affordable, btw, has nothing to do with the skin color of the occupants. There are very nice neighborhoods with black people, spanish people or other mixes that are "nice" but are not "white" , so to speak, but guess what.. houses in those neighborhoods are expensive too. This ISN'T A race issue.... price is based on a lot of factors, condition, location (high crime area, low crime area, good schools?).. etc.

I'd be curious what you think in a few years when you realize that you're savings account has stayed either the same, or you had to tap into it in order to keep going here on LI. Will you then decide to move into a "more affordable" neighborhood you speak of.. I doubt it. Get a few years of LI under your belt. then talk to me about it.