Where are best Italian-American communities in Suffolk? (Islip, Babylon: tax, shop)

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by Glad2BHere

So let's make a nice list for OP so she doesn't get confused.

South Shore Nassau
Franklin Square
Massapequa
Wantagh

North Shore Suffolk:
Commack
Smithtown
Kings Park
St. James
Rocky Point (according to Clammy, otherwise I personally can't vouch for that)

I would scratch Commack, and Kings Park is a coin flip to me. Add West Islip (very italian) and the Babylons (village close to WI, West Babylon is pretty italian).

Hey Clam fella, I heard once on these boards that Selden has its roots as a blue collar italian neighborhood. I realize it is not the same anymore, but was curious if there was any truth to that...???

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

There are a few homes in St James that would appear to be owned by Italian American families, but short of that, would you tell me where the rest of the Italian Americans are hiding in St James?

Seriously -- I couldn't believe my eyes when I read 35% Italian, 29.7% Irish.

St. James is very catholic. The heritages come from that I presume. Just drive through Main Street and the side roads in the next few weeks, it will be pretty clear (glowing life-size snow globes are the scorn of the earth in my opinion, but I digress). There are a lot of now old perceptions regarding these areas being predominantly jewish. In my experience, and on my block, it is 100% catholic...of course it was not a scientific poll and I could care less. I think a lot of folks from outside the area envelope an area of St. James into the Head of Harbor type area which might be less italian, irish than the majority of the town. It was the italians and irish who built those nice palaces on the Nissequoge River a generation ago.

[Smash255]

North Massapequa 48.9% Italian, the heaviest Italian American community on Long Island. The one drawback to North Massapequa is because it i located in mostly residential areas and don't have any real high property value areas in the district, to help reduce the school tax burden they have among the highest school tax rates in the County. The community is split between two districts (about 65-70% Plainedge, 30-35% farmingdale). Plainedge has the 3rd highest school tax rate in the county, Farmingdale the 8th

[rockypointny]

Originally Posted by Glad2BHere

So let's make a nice list for OP so she doesn't get confused.

South Shore Nassau
Franklin Square
Massapequa
Wantagh

North Shore Suffolk:
Commack
Smithtown
Kings Park
St. James
Rocky Point (according to Clammy, otherwise I personally can't vouch for that)

Believe me, RP is definitely an Italian community. My teachers at RPHS would say how when they went there they called it Rocco Point. Most of my friends have at least two grandparents who are italian immigrants and even have parents who were born in Italy. I mean it could be a coincidence that my closest friends are all at least half italian, but from what i have seen growing up here, it is a predominantly italian community.

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

I would scratch Commack, and Kings Park is a coin flip to me. Add West Islip (very italian) and the Babylons (village close to WI, West Babylon is pretty italian).

Yes, good old West Islip. Italian for sure. Add that to the list.

[sean sean sean sean]

Originally Posted by Glad2BHere

So let's make a nice list for OP so she doesn't get confused.

South Shore Nassau
Franklin Square
Massapequa
Wantagh

North Shore Suffolk:
Commack
Smithtown
Kings Park
St. James
Rocky Point (according to Clammy, otherwise I personally can't vouch for that)

I wouldn't call Wantagh an Italian neighborhood at all, there's all different types of caucasians and not one strong identity really comes through. I'd think if anything, with all the bars and the big Irish trinket shop that's what people would think. Massapequa and Franklin Square definitely. Places like Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Island Park and Glen Cove all used to be very Italian but not so much anymore. I always assume Kings Park is because of "San Remo", never really knew anyone from there.

Clam managed to find the most average looking home for the highest price in Franklin Square, but I dunno if you could do that commute in 40 minutes anyway. You mentioned you like Douglaston, maybe you'd like this Tudor in Massapequa....but what do I know, I'm Irish!

MLSLI.com - Find a Home

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by sean sean sean sean

I wouldn't call Wantagh an Italian neighborhood at all, there's all different types of caucasians and not one strong identity really comes through. I'd think if anything, with all the bars and the big Irish trinket shop that's what people would think. Massapequa and Franklin Square definitely. Places like Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Island Park and Glen Cove all used to be very Italian but not so much anymore. I always assume Kings Park is because of "San Remo", never really knew anyone from there.

Clam managed to find the most average looking home for the highest price in Franklin Square, but I dunno if you could do that commute in 40 minutes anyway. You mentioned you like Douglaston, maybe you'd like this Tudor in Massapequa....but what do I know, I'm Irish!

MLSLI.com - Find a Home

Wantagh 31.2% Italian, 27.5% Irish, 21.7% German

[nbres]

Originally Posted by Cicolina

I hear that dix hills is very expensive and there is no town center. Am I correct?

Dix Hills is very expensive, there is no town center and has fewer Italians and is more Jewish.

[nbres]

Originally Posted by clamboy

I wouldnt wander at night.

C

You are totally unfamiliar with North Babylon - it is as safe as can be.

Why do you have something against NB?

[nbres]

Originally Posted by Cicolina

nbres, i see what you're saying. can i ask you: does NB or WB have nice centers? i realize that they are probably not as good as Babylon Village, but just wondering how the surrounding towns are? In otherwords, people who are priced out of BV...where do they end up that's almost as nice?

Neither one are true towns, but both have lots of Italian-American stores, etc... off of Deer Park Avenue and Little East Neck Road. If you want a true town center you need to go to Babylon Village.

Like I said before, take a drive around. NB and WB are two areas where you will find nice to very nice homes needing no work between $400,000 to $450,000.