Where are best Italian-American communities in Suffolk? (Babylon, Smithtown: versus, shops)

[nbres]

Originally Posted by Cicolina

Hi everyone! I'm still here - had a major power outtage last night in our town. After a good night sleep, here I am. Hey, Massapequa doesn't look like a bad commute to Commack! Franklin Sq. is closer to the city, hence farther from Commack. Do you guys know anything about Commack? Only thing coming to mind is Larkfield Rd. and the roller rink (if it's still there). Is there a town center there?

Ps. You guys have ALL been so helpful. Can't thank you enough!

If you are going to work in Commack get out a compass and draw a 10 mile radius around Commack and start investigating all the neighborhoods that fall within the circle. It really pays to be as close as possible to where you work - less time commuting.

Franklin Square is too far then.

I As far as Commack is concerned, yeah it has Italians, but is more of Jewish area in my opinion. The Suffolk Jewish Y is there and several Jews I know wants to move there. So Commack will not have that Italian sense of community you are looking for. Same is true of East Northport and Dix Hills - no real sense of an Italian community.

Smithtown is wealthy, but more WASPy and less Jewish and less Italian. I've heard they don't like Jews there much - and probably look down on Italians. But I don't know for sure - could be a snob thing.

Kings Park is pretty good, and has a small town center. But often North Shore areas play down their ethnic roots because they want to pretend they are more WASPy - ethnic identification being more of a working class stigma.

So that leaves the south shore. The real Italian communities are: Deer Park, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Islip. All are in close commuting distance to Commack.

Which area is the best depends on what you want. I'm biased towards my own area of North Babylon, but if I had to live in one of the other towns it would be [b]West Islip. West Babylon next - and last would be Deer Park. This area has lots of Italians, Italian delis and specialty stores, also, don't forget St. Cyrils Catholic Church on DP AVE.

You really need to drive around for yourself and see what you like.

[KellyFG]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

I don't think that there are that many Italians in Babylon Village. It tends to be more WASPY .

agreed, that's exactly how I'd describe it.

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by nbres

If you are going to work in Commack get out a compass and draw a 10 mile radius around Commack and start investigating all the neighborhoods that fall within the circle. It really pays to be as close as possible to where you work - less time commuting.

Franklin Square is too far then.

I As far as Commack is concerned, yeah it has Italians, but is more of Jewish area in my opinion. The Suffolk Jewish Y is there and several Jews I know wants to move there. So Commack will not have that Italian sense of community you are looking for. Same is true of East Northport and Dix Hills - no real sense of an Italian community.

Smithtown is wealthy, but more WASPy and less Jewish and less Italian. I've heard they don't like Jews there much - and probably look down on Italians. But I don't know for sure - could be a snob thing.

Kings Park is pretty good, and has a small town center. But often North Shore areas play down their ethnic roots because they want to pretend they are more WASPy - ethnic identification being more of a working class stigma.

So that leaves the south shore. The real Italian communities are: Deer Park, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Islip. All are in close commuting distance to Commack.

Which area is the best depends on what you want. I'm biased towards my own area of North Babylon, but if I had to live in one of the other towns it would be [b]West Islip. West Babylon next - and last would be Deer Park. This area has lots of Italians, Italian delis and specialty stores, also, don't forget St. Cyrils Catholic Church on DP AVE.

You really need to drive around for yourself and see what you like.

Yes Commack has a stronger jewish community, but you are entirely incorrect about Smithtown and Kings Park...I have neither met, spoken to or come across WASPs in Smithtown, although it is a large town and I am sure there are some in many communities...and this fictitious land you live in where you envision this "playing down" of ethnic roots?? I am not sure that most of my neighbors would even know what that means . And the number of "Italia" shirts that the parents and kids were wearing during the World Cup in my neighborhood sure seems like a playing down of their roots. The largest "pork store" in all of Long Island opened two years ago right off of main street...This might be the typical north shore/south shore perception versus reality, but take it from an actual resident, you are entirely incorrect. There are wealthy areas of Smithtown (not sure why this is bad) but there are plenty of ranches and long-time residents as well.

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by Smash255

Really the only similarity between Wheatley Heights Wyandanch is the large African American population. Wheatley Heights is NOT in the Wyandanch school district, it actually is in the HHH S.d (the border between Wyandnach and Wheatley Heights is generally the same as the wyandanch & HHH S.D border which is Nicolls Road.

As far as income and poverty, Wheatley Heights is very much a middle class area. the median income as of 2005 in Wheatley Heights was $88,700. Higher than much of the surrounding areas (Deer Park $71,200, North Babylon $75,700, Wyandnach $48,000, East farmingdale $80,500, West babylon $71,900. Not quite as high a Dix Hills, and Melville whom both have median incomes in excess of $100,000, but Wheatley heights has a higher median income than the vast majority of the other areas in the vicinity (the other areas which also tend to have a much larger white population than Wheatley Heights.

In fact Wheatley Heights income wise is more along the lines of SE Nassau (Masapequa Park $88,500, Massapequa $93,400, Seaford $87,600).

Due to Wheatley Heights having the same zipcode as Wyandnanch and it also having a large African American population people often get the misconception that its a bad area, a poor area, etc. Its absolutely not, its a predominately middle class area with income levels similar to that of Massapequa & Seaford.

Again I said I did not have personal knowledge...but stats can be deceiving as well...I was unaware that all of Wheatley Heights went to HHH. I was under the impression that only a portion of the town went to HHH. I think a quick drive through all of the areas you compared it to would show some difference in the consistency and quality of homes...I am not talking about race, just neighborhoods. I applaud HHH school district's diversity. It is rare on Long Island.

[Jdawg8181]

Did anyone say Franklin Square?

[nancy thereader]

Ralph ave is basically a highway(I lived there)its the artery that connects 231 to 109

Ralph Avenue is not really a highway. It just is the least nice area of Babylon Village with apartments and welfare and group housing.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Ralph ave is basically a highway(I lived there)its the artery that connects 231 to 109

Ralph Avenue is not really a highway. It just is the least nice area of Babylon Village with apartments and welfare and group housing.

Nancy, that road is as busy as Montauk at rush hour.

Thats a shame to hear about the Section 8.

Babylon was one of the few towns that was relatively nice by the rail when I was there.

Traffic was awful 10 years ago.
I doubt its any less busy with time.


C

[nancy thereader]

Do you mean PARK Avenue? That connects Routes 109 and 231.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Do you mean PARK Avenue? That connects Routes 109 and 231.

Ooops

My Bad

Im wrong

Sorry
It was Park.

C

[opelske]

Having visited family in Deer Park and West Babylon (who BTW cannot wait to move out of those areas), I do not believe that either town has the type of European atmosphere that the poster is asking about or looking for. And if there ever was a close knit Italian community in either of those towns, the old timers are long gone or have left the area.
Lindenhurst too had a strong Italian community with gondolas in the canal, but that was a long time ago, and certainly is no more. I am sure there may be some blocks here and there with Italians, but a strong Italian presence I have never seen. Visit and stay awhile before making any decisions is the best advice.