Best Nassau Co. towns for early 30's couples... (Babylon, Huntington: rent, co-op)

[brandog]

My huband and I currently rent in the Cobble Hill neighborhood (next to Brooklyn Hts.) of Brooklyn. We love it but we feel priced out of the market for a 2 bed/2bath so we are considering a move to LI.
Our budget is $500-600K. We need to be some where w/ an easy commute to Manhattan. We are looking for a 3 bed/2 bath in a town with good shopping and restaurants (to lessen the suburbia shock) Nightlife would also be a plus.
I would love to hear your recommendations considering our age group and budget.
p.s. we are probably going to have kids in the next 1-2 years so schools are a concern as well.

Thanks!

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by brandog

My huband and I currently rent in the Cobble Hill neighborhood (next to Brooklyn Hts.) of Brooklyn. We love it but we feel priced out of the market for a 2 bed/2bath so we are considering a move to LI.
Our budget is $500-600K. We need to be some where w/ an easy commute to Manhattan. We are looking for a 3 bed/2 bath in a town with good shopping and restaurants (to lessen the suburbia shock) Nightlife would also be a plus.
I would love to hear your recommendations considering our age group and budget.
p.s. we are probably going to have kids in the next 1-2 years so schools are a concern as well.

Thanks!

Try Long Beach


C

[Glad2BHere]

Rockville Centre

[GCGuy]

I know you said Nassau, but Huntington (right on the border) has the best downtown on LI. It's a 55 min train to the city, too.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by GCGuy

I know you said Nassau, but Huntington (right on the border) has the best downtown on LI. It's a 55 min train to the city, too.

I agree with GC
Not Nassau but a great pick....Check Babylon Village too.
C

[wardlwag]

Funny, my husband and I moved from Brooklyn Heights to Hewlett 10 years ago...we made a fortune on our co-op on the Promenade and bought a house in the neighborhood I grew up in...I miss the Heights, it definitely took some adjusting, if I can afford to when my 3 kids are grown I will go back...if I could do it all over again in your price range I would try Rockville Centre (not sure you can afford it in that price range)...if you could go any higher I would head to Western Suffolk, North Shore....good luck, is the Heights Cafe still around and the Montague Street Saloon, and that Polish restaurant on Montague Street, I can't recall the name?

[brandog]

Thanks all. Will look into your suggestions further.

Wardlwag - Yes, the heights cafe is still there, not the saloon though. The polish restaurant is called Teresa's (still there as well). Believe it or not the best restaurants are now on Smith St. I know... 10 years ago you probably wouldn't step foot there!

I grew up in Lake Grove and Lake Ronkonkoma and always felt so removed from the city. My husband grew up in GA and moved here for the city. Therefore, staying connected to NYC is v. important to both of us. I know it's silly but Huntington and Suffolk just seem so far out when we think about it.

We looked a little in Port Washington this weekend. We liked the proximity to the LIE and the 30 min LIRR line. Any thoughts on this as a potential for us?

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by brandog

Thanks all. Will look into your suggestions further.

Wardlwag - Yes, the heights cafe is still there, not the saloon though. The polish restaurant is called Teresa's (still there as well). Believe it or not the best restaurants are now on Smith St. I know... 10 years ago you probably wouldn't step foot there!

I grew up in Lake Grove and Lake Ronkonkoma and always felt so removed from the city. My husband grew up in GA and moved here for the city. Therefore, staying connected to NYC is v. important to both of us. I know it's silly but Huntington and Suffolk just seem so far out when we think about it.

We looked a little in Port Washington this weekend. We liked the proximity to the LIE and the 30 min LIRR line. Any thoughts on this as a potential for us?

Now that Nassau is Queens....Suffolk really isnt too far at all.

Truth be told... I wish it were a little farther.
This Island seems to be getting shorter every year.
Unfortunately I dont think they'll be buliding more land anytime soon.

Huntington hands down.

C
FYI
Exit 68 to NYC is about an hour without traffic
If hes coming in form GA,let him loose on Portion rd and tell him hes in the Big City....he probably wouldnt know the difference.
; )

[GCGuy]

Originally Posted by brandog

Thanks all. Will look into your suggestions further.

Wardlwag - Yes, the heights cafe is still there, not the saloon though. The polish restaurant is called Teresa's (still there as well). Believe it or not the best restaurants are now on Smith St. I know... 10 years ago you probably wouldn't step foot there!

I grew up in Lake Grove and Lake Ronkonkoma and always felt so removed from the city. My husband grew up in GA and moved here for the city. Therefore, staying connected to NYC is v. important to both of us. I know it's silly but Huntington and Suffolk just seem so far out when we think about it.

We looked a little in Port Washington this weekend. We liked the proximity to the LIE and the 30 min LIRR line. Any thoughts on this as a potential for us?

PW is ok, but the school's are so-so. Plus, for $500K you won't get too much. Unfortunately, the areas along the PW train line command a premium that is or is not justified. Not a bad area, though. I would say if you could magically find something in Manhasset, then maybe look to that.