Young professionals on Long Island? (Babylon, Huntington: to rent, layoffs, school districts)

[jimbo87]

Hello,

I am a teacher finishing graduate school in Boston this spring and have to make a decision of whether to stay up in this area or move back to Long Island where my family is. All else aside (assume job opportunities exist in both locations), where on Long Island is a good place for young professionals to live? That is to say: affordable, young population, some sort of nightlife, access to NYC, etc... My family is from Huntington and it is a fun town however I find it to be very expensive! Any suggestions? My concern about moving back to LI is that I would miss the city feel of Boston and the fun that comes with it. Thanks for your help

-Jim

Edit: Huntington is expensive but disregard that comment for now. My question is based more on what towns are for young people like myself! Thanks

[gag]

Babylon Village, nice, may remind you of certain parts of Boston with shops, bars, downtown feel etc. Good trains to NYC.

Huntington was my first thought, but you know that well.

Looking to rent first? what's your price range?

Some people here can steer you well.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by jimbo87

Hello,

I am a teacher finishing graduate school in Boston this spring and have to make a decision of whether to stay up in this area or move back to Long Island where my family is. All else aside (assume job opportunities exist in both locations), where on Long Island is a good place for young professionals to live? That is to say: affordable, young population, some sort of nightlife, access to NYC, etc... My family is from Huntington and it is a fun town however I find it to be very expensive! Any suggestions? My concern about moving back to LI is that I would miss the city feel of Boston and the fun that comes with it. Thanks for your help

-Jim

Albeit further out.

How about Patchogue? Sayville? Port Jefferson?
If you think Huntingtons expensive.

Long Beach is the standard answer but I imagine its similar in cost

[Chrisk327]

long beach, huntington and Rockville center are the first places to come to mind

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by jimbo87

Hello,

I am a teacher finishing graduate school in Boston this spring and have to make a decision of whether to stay up in this area or move back to Long Island where my family is. All else aside (assume job opportunities exist in both locations), where on Long Island is a good place for young professionals to live? That is to say: affordable, young population, some sort of nightlife, access to NYC, etc... My family is from Huntington and it is a fun town however I find it to be very expensive! Any suggestions? My concern about moving back to LI is that I would miss the city feel of Boston and the fun that comes with it. Thanks for your help

-Jim

Edit: Huntington is expensive but disregard that comment for now. My question is based more on what towns are for young people like myself! Thanks

What kind of work are you planning to do if you move back to Long Island?

If you want to be a public school teacher, you had better think of something else (unless you have connections in one of the school districts or teachers' unions):

Teachers Facing Weakest Market in Years
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/ny...0teachers.html

The Port Washington District on Long Island is sorting through 3,620 applications for eight positions — the largest pool the superintendent has seen in his 41-year career.

Even hard-to-fill specialties are no longer so hard to fill. Jericho, N.Y., has 963 people to choose from for five spots in special education, more than twice as many as in past years.

As for the "city feel" you seek -- you will not find it on Long Island. Whenever people come on C-D asking about a place with more of an "upscale walkable urban vibe," Huntington is #1 answer. Since you know Huntington very well, think of it compared to your experience of Boston, because that is the place LI'ers most often recommend as the closest to "fun and urban." Another stock answer is Long Beach, especially for younger people, although it is, like Huntington, not what you would call affordable either.

[raiser]

West End Long Beach is your best bet.

[Crookhaven]

Im serious...I think Patchogue Village has merit.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by Crookhaven

Im serious...I think Patchogue Village has merit.

Merit as compared to the city feel of Boston???

The OP said:

My concern about moving back to LI is that I would miss the city feel of Boston and the fun that comes with it.

I think the OP is barking up the wrong tree. He will not find what he wants in Nassau or Suffolk. I would steer him to Brooklyn, Queens, etc.

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by I_Love_LI_but

Merit as compared to the city feel of Boston???

The OP said:

My concern about moving back to LI is that I would miss the city feel of Boston and the fun that comes with it.

I think the OP is barking up the wrong tree. He will not find what he wants in Nassau or Suffolk. I would steer him to Brooklyn, Queens, etc.

Let's not forget NYC is less than an hour away in some parts of LI. We're not talking about rural America here.

[PreciousMonster]

In the current economic climate, you are definitely going to have an issue getting a job. I doubt many school districts are hiring and since there were so many layoffs last year, the market is flooded with experienced teachers. One site I recommend you check out is OLAS JOBS to get your resume to all parts of Long Island. Hope that helps. If you truly are qualified, and a good teacher, you will get a job. Just be persistent.