How is West Islip? (Smithtown, Union: rental homes, tenants, school districts)

[totallyfrazzled]

Originally Posted by twnxn

I'm Asian-American and remember being the only Asian-American kid in my 1st grade class at Higbie Lane School. There were a couple of Puerto Ricans and a couple of African-Americans (as I can remember). I guess that school does not exist anymore.

I forgot to answer this above. The Higbie Lane school does still exist as a building but it's been turned into a Senior Citizens Center (I've gone to a few things there with my friend). Part of it has also been turned into a small museum by the West Islip Historical Society.

Oh, that reminds me, my friend emailed me a couple of months ago all upset because the wanted to turn the LaGrange Inn restaurant into a Walgreens drugstore, and the Historical Society (which she belongs to) got very up in arms about it. (Walgreens said they wouldn't tear the building down but they would take off the "additions" and move the building, and then put a big ugly new Walgreens right next to the old 1800s LaGrange). They got petitions and got the town involved and the end result was that Walgreens gave up the whole idea, so LaGrange is "saved" although my friend says they're one step away from bankruptcy. So who knows.

[nancy thereader]

Yes. We here in Babylon Village did not want that monstrosity either. I am so glad that Walgreens gave up.

[sean sean sean sean]

I would be very cautious about West Islip. There are some tell-tale signs that it is on the decline - namely that the demographics have become "whiter"...I guess that's OK if you like homogeneity, but personally in my experience this has a tendency to cause the downfall of certain neighborhoods pretty quick. I've got nothing against white people, in fact some of my best friends are white, but I just don't want my kids coming home wearing Abercrombie shirts throwing up "the shocker" with their college "BROS" and listening to Dave Matthews Band. I have a friend who knows somebody who is related to a guy that once heard there is serious gang activity in the schools, and they have gone downhill fast. Look at what is happening in Shirley and Hamilton Beach...

For my money there are much better options in Wheatley Heights, Lakeview and South Floral Park. I would avoid WI at all costs.

[totallyfrazzled]

LOL, better watch out, seanx3 .... someone who isn't used to your sense of humor might think you're being serious about that!

[GigiBowman]

Originally Posted by sean sean sean sean

I would be very cautious about West Islip. There are some tell-tale signs that it is on the decline - namely that the demographics have become "whiter"...I guess that's OK if you like homogeneity, but personally in my experience this has a tendency to cause the downfall of certain neighborhoods pretty quick. I've got nothing against white people, in fact some of my best friends are white, but I just don't want my kids coming home wearing Abercrombie shirts throwing up "the shocker" with their college "BROS" and listening to Dave Matthews Band. I have a friend who knows somebody who is related to a guy that once heard there is serious gang activity in the schools, and they have gone downhill fast. Look at what is happening in Shirley and Hamilton Beach...

For my money there are much better options in Wheatley Heights, Lakeview and South Floral Park. I would avoid WI at all costs.

Lol Sean

[nbres]

West Islip

Positives: Good Schools, really good library, close to Good Samaritan Hospital - lots of doctor offices in the area, Robert Moses Beach is near, new shopping center off of Sunrise Highway.

Also the area is hooked up to the sewer system.

Negatives: Some areas south of Montauk in possible flood zone, the area is a little difficut to get in and out of, no LIRR train stop there (if that matters). My biggest gripes are that the property taxes are very high and most of the homes nor neighborhoods are all that great.

My personal view is that West Islip is a good place to live.

[totallyfrazzled]

Originally Posted by nbres

Negatives: Some areas south of Montauk in possible flood zone, the area is a little difficut to get in and out of, no LIRR train stop there (if that matters).

West Islip doesn't have a LIRR stop, but it's right next to Babylon Village which has one of the best lines to NYC (lots of express trains and many others either start there or in Bay Shore which is the station just east of West Islip). I've gone with my West Islip friend to NYC museums and plays many times using the Babylon LIRR because she's gotten nervous in recent years with riding or driving in a car.

I don't think West Islip is difficult to get in and out of at all. On its western end, it's VERY easily accessed by Route 231 which connects to both Sunrise Highway and Southern State Parkway. On its eastern end it connects directly to the Robert Moses Causeway which also connects to those same roads and further north, to the Expressway and to the Northern State. And it's got a direct connection to the beaches over Captree Bridge which is also on the Robert Moses Causeway.

[rocafeller05]

The only concern I would have with W. Islip is the north area around North Bay Shore. Not the nicest of areas. Future migration could hurt your investment.

[nbres]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

The only concern I would have with W. Islip is the north area around North Bay Shore. Not the nicest of areas. Future migration could hurt your investment.

Are you speaking of the area south of Bay Shore Road, but north of the Southern State Parkway?

It amazes me how West Islip has remained so "un-diverse" all these years given that parts of WI border un Brentwood and north Bay Shore. Aside from the areas south of Montauk which are really nice and expensive most of northern West Islip is pretty dumpy looking in my opinion.

Does anyone have an explanation?

[kicksave]

I agree.....Taxes are too high-nieghbors are nosey-no real nieghborhood feel. Kids are spoiled.....think who there are. Only real strip is Higbie Lane..the only attrcative thing is thats its close to the beaches...thats it!