West Hempstead? (or other ideas...) (Hicksville, Plainview: work, homes, price)

[AlexisT]

We're looking to move back to LI early next year and are trying to work out good target areas. (We're 30ish, 1 baby and want more.)

Now, we're Jewish, not super-religious but we do want a nice Orthodox shul, and this limits the possibilities. We also want a decent commute (DH could be working in the city or in one of the office parks along the LIE), and we don't have $1M to spend. This rules out the Five Towns (which is out for a whole host of reasons) and Great Neck (unless there's a nice price crash).

West Hempstead looks a lot more affordable. How is it there? I really don't know it well at all.

My mother's preferred option is Plainview (because it's just down the road from her) but I'm worried about train access. How bad is Hicksville for parking now?

[LIPumpkin]

We are looking in Plainview and they built an indoor parking garage at Hicksville...good luck in your search!

[sean sean sean sean]

I'm not crazy about Plainview but that's just me...

Merrick, North Merrick & North Bellmore are also big Jewish neighborhoods, there's more than a couple synagogues in the area - think the orthodox one is called Temple Beth-El. I'm actually just assuming that because I see a lot of people walking to it every Saturday. All three are at least as nice as West Hempstead, better schools, more express trains into Penn...I like West Hempstead too, though!

[fopt65]

West Hempstead is fine. Near the temples, it's even better. If you are going to send your child to private school, I'd have no qualms about West Hempstead. It's not as nice as PLainview, but that is reflected in the price of the homes.