Our Story and Suffolk County Move... (Holbrook, Ronkonkoma: real estate, rental, low crime)
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Hello,
So my fiance Darren and I just got married and we are seeking a home in the Suffolk County area. We both have stable Suffolk County jobs and are looking for a home in the Summer. We currently rent and get out of our rental in six months, then we will start looking, but the process of planning it is important to me personally since I want to research and find that this board may just very well be helpful!
We both make about 65k, combined, are working our way up.
We have 240k saved.
We are using 120k on a down payment, and would have after estimated closing costs at 20k (shooting high just in case), about 100 or so in our bank account. We want to start a family in a few years, no rush right now.
We have no care for Nassau or working in the city. My fiance makes extra income that really helps us save a lot of money (he does a side business which brings in a good amount). So extra money and saving is not a problem.
We are looking into find a place in Suffolk, exit 53-72, something close to the Long Island Expressway since I got west and he goes east.
We are looking for the price range of 250-319 (319 being the most, and even a little too high for us I would think).
Taxes under $7500 after star.
As of now our budget enables us to get a home for 2200 for both debt and mortgage.
We both bring in a total of 5300 (gross) currently, and off the books bring in 1200 a month extra (net pay).
Our debt would be a mortgage and no credit card debt, maybe $100 at most that we pay off every month. We have no student loans.
Our car loan payments are in total $400 even, together. Two cars, under 200 dollars.
This is important because our 120k down will enable us to get a higher end home, but we are open to not having to go to $319 and search something around 280-299 to save a little cash, not much, but a little.
Right now, since we don't have children and won't for three years, a perfect school or great school is not of importance.
What is of importance is a good neighborhood that may not be the best looking, but is safe and low crime. That is our main goal.
Any help on our journey would be helpful and appreciated.
I am partial to Ronkonkoma. Near the LIE, train, and air. That being said, you might want to get pre-approved at your bank. It would make the house hunting easier.
Look for a good school district. You will not regret your choice. Good luck in your search.
Salaries and no debt are great assets but IMO the desire for taxes around $7500 and a house for around $300k will limit you to lower middle class neighborhoods.
Lower middle class neighborhoods are fine as long as the house is under 2000 sq feet and is a nice size, and on a street that may not look great, but is good.
I am partial to Ronkonkoma. Near the LIE, train, and air. That being said, you might want to get pre-approved at your bank. It would make the house hunting easier.
Look for a good school district. You will not regret your choice. Good luck in your search.
Been looking into Ronkonkoma and mapping out the streets and which streets we would never consider based upon the upkeep of the home, the area, etc.
We found a small area on the south side of the LIE and one all the way up near Sachem High School North, but are not sure of the taxes. We are looking into that and will utilize Google Street View and then will check them out in person.
Sounds like you can go a bit higher than your current budget, but I can understand living well below means. I'm also partial to my area of Suffolk. We're in Sachem SD, and it shares parts of a number of areas all around the LIE, including Ronk and Lake Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Lake Grove. Taxes tend to be lower around here. Given this price range, you'll get a mix of the good the bad and the ugly. I think you'll mostly just have to take a look at street view and in person to gauge whether or not you like the neighborhood, just as you're doing now. I'm also near Sachem High North and am happy here with my neighbors and upkeep of my area.
Sounds like you can go a bit higher than your current budget, but I can understand living well below means. I'm also partial to my area of Suffolk. We're in Sachem SD, and it shares parts of a number of areas all around the LIE, including Ronk and Lake Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Lake Grove. Taxes tend to be lower around here. Given this price range, you'll get a mix of the good the bad and the ugly. I think you'll mostly just have to take a look at street view and in person to gauge whether or not you like the neighborhood, just as you're doing now. I'm also near Sachem High North and am happy here with my neighbors and upkeep of my area.
Been looking into Ronkonkoma and mapping out the streets and which streets we would never consider based upon the upkeep of the home, the area, etc.
We found a small area on the south side of the LIE and one all the way up near Sachem High School North, but are not sure of the taxes. We are looking into that and will utilize Google Street View and then will check them out in person.
There is Ronkonkoma, and Lake Ronkonkoma. Lake Ronkonkoma is Sachem Schools. It is a very large district. There are some less care for places on the Portion Rd part of the Lake. There are plenty of nice area, too.
Ronkonkoma is Connetquot Schools. Connetquot is a smaller district. Ronkonkoma, Oakdale, and Bohemia are all Connetquot Schools.
Ronkonkoma is slightly north of LIE the train. Think Ocean Ave to the Lake. Think west to Motor Parkway.
There are some very nice homes in those areas. South of the LIE is nice. Think Johnson Ave, West and South.
There is Ronkonkoma, and Lake Ronkonkoma. Lake Ronkonkoma is Sachem Schools. It is a very large district. There are some less care for places on the Portion Rd part of the Lake. There are plenty of nice area, too.
Ronkonkoma is Connetquot Schools. Connetquot is a smaller district. Ronkonkoma, Oakdale, and Bohemia are all Connetquot Schools.
Ronkonkoma is slightly north of LIE the train. Think Ocean Ave to the Lake. Think west to Motor Parkway.
There are some very nice homes in those areas. South of the LIE is nice. Think Johnson Ave, West and South.
Here are some streets I have researched and we would love to hear a native of Ronkonkoma's opionion as far as safety:
2nd BEST Streets (couple of blocks north of the LIE):
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