West Babylon? (North Babylon, Belmont: new home, neighborhoods, to buy)

[VTP]

Hey TrudiRose,

Do the right thing for your kids and stay the heck away from North Babylon! This is a seriously declining area, and you don't belong there. With the amount of money you have to put down on a house, you are far better off than most home buyers out there. West Babylon (heading south) was nice at one time, but the proximity of the town to Wyandanch is worrisome, and any involvement whatsoever with Wyandanch residents in the schools can only be disastrous. Check again in Babylon Village (perhaps you can afford something smaller? After all, you are transitioning from an apartment, so presumably you are used to smaller spaces. You can always add on or trade up when you return to work). Also try West Islip and something small in Brightwaters. If you can go east, try East Islip (I would stay away from Bay Shore despite the pretty streets by the shore). These are the only neighborhoods I would consider in that general area. I would buy a teeny tiny house in one of these in a heartbeat, before I would even consider a larger house in North Babylon.

[nbres]

Why all the hatred towards North Babylon?

It is far better than many other areas - I think its long term prospects are actually better than Deer Parks or West Babylons even Lindenhurst is starting to go - the homes and neighborhoods are nicer in North Babylon than in the three above mentioned areas. The schools are comparable in terms of academic achievement.

I know that people will come up with all kinds of reasons to avoid North Babylon - but the hard truth is that they are afraid that there are too many blacks in the school district. The irony is that the blacks live in West Babylon, but are zoned for North Babylon schools. I wonder if the white part of North Babylon could secede? if North Babylon schools were 90% white I think this area would be prime. Actually better than West Islip.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by nbres

Why all the hatred towards North Babylon?

It is far better than many other areas - I think its long term prospects are actually better than Deer Parks or West Babylons even Lindenhurst is starting to go - the homes and neighborhoods are nicer in North Babylon than in the three above mentioned areas. The schools are comparable in terms of academic achievement.

I know that people will come up with all kinds of reasons to avoid North Babylon - but the hard truth is that they are afraid that there are too many blacks in the school district. The irony is that the blacks live in West Babylon, but are zoned for North Babylon schools. I wonder if the white part of North Babylon could secede? if North Babylon schools were 90% white I think this area would be prime. Actually better than West Islip.

I wouldnt say hatred Nbres.
Id rather be there than in Wyandanch or lately Deer Park.

Theres certainly worse places to raise a family....but living in the shadow of Babylon Village is tough.

[nbres]

Baylon Village is nice, it has a very classy downtown abd Geiger Park. Too bad West Islip doesn't have anything comparable. North Babylon at least has Belmont State Park and the Plelps Lane Park. For a place with so much money West Islip has a real crappy park and the roads in many of the neighborhoods are in bad shape. The homes in WI are too close together and ithere is a poor selection of nice homes overall. The neighborhoods lack any cohesion. Also, many streets do not even have curbs - what is up with that? Still, I know, people will still choose the other places because they are worried about the blacks in NB schools. Thats the bottom line.......

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by nbres

Baylon Village is nice, it has a very classy downtown abd Geiger Park. Too bad West Islip doesn't have anything comparable. North Babylon at least has Belmont State Park and the Plelps Lane Park. For a place with so much money West Islip has a real crappy park and the roads in many of the neighborhoods are in bad shape. The homes in WI are too close together and ithere is a poor selection of nice homes overall. The neighborhoods lack any cohesion. Also, many streets do not even have curbs - what is up with that? Still, I know, people will still choose the other places because they are worried about the blacks in NB schools. Thats the bottom line.......

I think WI North of Sunrise is a little dumpy.
Belmont Park is very nice.
Youre right...It all comes down to the schools
C

[VTP]

Yes, I would agree that the schools are the primary factor here. And, truth be told, a school district with a high percentage of white students is, simply, a wiser investment, in terms of everything from quality of instruction to parental involvement to personal safety to monetary return of real property value. The data on crime, scholastic performance, rate of college admission, property values, etc. clearly supports this.

No way would I choose Deer Park over North Babylon. I view them as the same. Both are to be avoided at all costs. West Islip is not the most attractive place in the world in terms of "quaintness," but it's safe and mostly homogenous. My advice to Trudi is to keep trying for Babyon Village. The current market may favor her aspirations.

[Ellemat]

I'm originally from Sheepshead Bay, lived in Queens until '97 when I moved here. My daughter followed me a few years later and is living within walking distance with her two elementary school children, let me add a little more to some of the good tips you've received.

Babylon Village is the best of the areas mentioned but the amenities, in my opinion, are not worth the extra taxes and higher prices that it gets. Schools have a higher rating I'm told. The only other advantage that I'm aware of is perhaps railroad parking (which is backlisted so far it probably doesn't matter) and use of the Babylon Village pool.

North Babylon has some lovely homes but the schools are the least desireable. It is also the furthest away from shopping areas and the convenience you are accustomed to.

In West Babylon, I would look for homes between Route 109 and Montauk Highway near Great East Neck Road. Arnold Estates has some nice homes that would not be overwhelming after apartment living. There is all the shopping you might want on Montauk Highway and possibly even within walking distance. The LIRR is close by if commuting is necessary, Penn Station is about 55 minutes. There are decent elementary schools and the West Babylon HS offers a lot of student activities. I'm able to enjoy all the things that you mentioned such as Argyle Lake.

As far as being Jewish, although the Babylon is not known for being a Jewish community, if you are friendly, you should have no problem fitting in. Even though I am relatively new to LI and commuted to Manhattan until recently, I have to say that I've met a lot of new friends. You didn't mention your children's ages, but schools are a great way to meet new people and if they are young, I would recommend a mother's group. My daughter moved out here, hating to leave her Queens friends and knowing no one. She now has so many friends she has no time for her mom.

As of this morning, there is a brand new house being erected nearby. It is in its early stages but I understand that it will have three bedrooms and a living room with fireplace..and I believe will be in your price range. It is in a very convenient area.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information.

[TrudiRose]

Thanks so much, Ellemat! I really appreciate all the helpful tips!

My kids are currently age 10 and 7, so if we move next year, they'll be going into middle school and third grade the following September. (That's one reason I want to move - the middle schools around here are awful.)

I'll definitely check out Arnold Estates - it sounds perfect! And I've definitely seen listings that say Arnold Estates that are in our price range.

Also, what do you think of that little area of West Babylon that's bordered by the Southern State, 109, and Little East Neck Road (you know, near the Santapogue School)? There seem to be a lot of homes for sale in that area. It seemed pretty residential when I went out there, but it does have Little East Neck Road for shopping. Is that a section worth checking out, or should I just focus on Arnold Estates (as well as looking at Babylon Village)?

[nancy thereader]

Nooooooooooo, don't go north of Sunrise.

[nbres]

North of Sunrise in West babylon is Ok. North of the southern state and west of Belmont Lake is a black neighborhood.