West Babylon? (Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Bethpage: insurance, home, buy)

[TrudiRose]

Truthteller, thanks for the input! And ugh, do you really think the WB middle and high school are bad? How about Babylon Junior-Senior High School? One of the main reasons for moving is that Long Island schools are supposed to be better - where I live now (in Brooklyn) the elementary schools are fine, but the middle and high schools aren't. No way can I afford private school, no matter where I live.

[onrway2clt]

Any reason you won't consider other areas?

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by NY - Dallas

Any reason you won't consider other areas?

Really..why the attachment?

[TrudiRose]

Well, my husband has co-workers from Long Island, and asked them for recommendations, and they suggested that area. So I looked on MSLI and saw things in our price range, and then went out and looked at the area and it seemed very nice, plus it seemed like a reasonable distance to Manhattan (neither of us works in Manhattan, but I do like to go there sometimes to visit friends, see a play etc., so I want to be able to get there.) I also really like the fact that it's near a big state park, because right now we live near Prospect Park, and I'd like to still have a big park near us. I also went on GreatSchools.net, and both West Babylon and Babylon had good ratings, positive reviews from parents, decent test scores, and seemed to have a lot of sports and extracurricular activities.

The other places people have mentioned that are supposed to be nicer also seem to be much more expensive, farther from Manhattan, etc.

But if you have suggestions for other neighborhoods, I'm certainly willing to hear them! I have plenty of time (we're not planning to move till next year), and that's why I'm posting here in the first place, to get input and suggestions.

[onrway2clt]

I really do not know much about Suffolk County, so I cant help you there.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by TrudiRose

Well, my husband has co-workers from Long Island, and asked them for recommendations, and they suggested that area. So I looked on MSLI and saw things in our price range, and then went out and looked at the area and it seemed very nice, plus it seemed like a reasonable distance to Manhattan (neither of us works in Manhattan, but I do like to go there sometimes to visit friends, see a play etc., so I want to be able to get there.) I also really like the fact that it's near a big state park, because right now we live near Prospect Park, and I'd like to still have a big park near us. I also went on GreatSchools.net, and both West Babylon and Babylon had good ratings, positive reviews from parents, decent test scores, and seemed to have a lot of sports and extracurricular activities.

The other places people have mentioned that are supposed to be nicer also seem to be much more expensive, farther from Manhattan, etc.

But if you have suggestions for other neighborhoods, I'm certainly willing to hear them! I have plenty of time (we're not planning to move till next year), and that's why I'm posting here in the first place, to get input and suggestions.

If you dont need Manhattan on a regular basis.
Id highly recommend Rocky Point/Sound Beach.(60 Mi from NYC/1:45 on LIRR )


Its by far the best bang for the buck in Suffolk.
Ask any parent with kids in the schools.

Good neighbors/decent taxes
North Shore Beach Property Owners Association of Rocky Point, New York

Ridge is also very nice...just a little bit south of RP/Longwood Schools

C

[NDL]

I live in West Babylon, and am at a loss as to why people are down on the area.

Someone mentioned drug activity near Fontana's. Unfortunately, that's a reality in much of today's L.I., even in some of of the nicer areas. I was shocked to hear, from one of my co-workers, about crack activity in an East Northport home.

Getting back to W.B., I live between 109 and Montauk Highway, and love WB, for it's friendly and civic minded people; diverse housing stock (including many beautiful older homes); shopping convenience, and close proximity to the water.

As witnessed by the wealth of thriving Italian bakeries and butchers on Little East Neck Rd, W.B. is still very much a town of people with Italian backgrounds.

Best wishes with your move, and please remember that a Long Islander's perception of crime, and bad schooling, is vastly different than what a Brooklynite might consider a 'crime ridden area.' Crime has never been the slightest of concerns in my area, and again, I am at a loss as to why people have mentioned crime.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by NDL

I live in West Babylon, and am at a loss as to why people are down on the area.

Someone mentioned drug activity near Fontana's. Unfortunately, that's a reality in much of today's L.I., even in some of of the nicer areas. I was shocked to hear, from one of my co-workers, about crack activity in an East Northport home.

Getting back to W.B., I live between 109 and Montauk Highway, and love WB, for it's friendly and civic minded people; diverse housing stock (including many beautiful older homes); shopping convenience, and close proximity to the water.

As witnessed by the wealth of thriving Italian bakeries and butchers on Little East Neck Rd, W.B. is still very much a town of people with Italian backgrounds.

Best wishes with your move, and please remember that a Long Islander's perception of crime, and bad schooling, is vastly different than what a Brooklynite might consider a 'crime ridden area.' Crime has never been the slightest of concerns in my area, and again, I am at a loss as to why people have mentioned crime.

Arent the Neighborhoods over by Looney Tunes OK?

They looked good a few years ago?

C

[NDL]

Originally Posted by clamboy

Arent the Neighborhoods over by Looney Tunes OK?

They looked good a few years ago?

C

Yes, they are just fine. Again, I can't figure out why people are fussing about W.B. (or even N.B. or Deer Park for that matter).

Long Island has changed quite a bit, and the demographics of today's Long Island reflect much of what we see across the Country: towns with desirable, and not so desirable, sections.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by NDL

Yes, they are just fine. Again, I can't figure out why people are fussing about W.B. (or even N.B. or Deer Park for that matter).

Long Island has changed quite a bit, and the demographics of today's Long Island reflect much of what we see across the Country: towns with desirable, and not so desirable, sections.

I always thougt it was really nice over there.

I lived on Ralph ave in the village and used to go over there to shop.

I think youre right its not WB its LI thats the problem,

C