Moving to New York (Babylon, Huntington: apartments, rentals, mortgages)

[Westcoast/Eastcoast]

I am moving from California to New York in early spring. I am looking for reasonable rentals in a safe neighborhood for a single woman within 45 minutes of JFK. Any ideas? Thanks

[mskitny]

Good luck, there is nothing reasonable in NY, it is user-unfriendly.
Mari ex-NYer

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by Westcoast/Eastcoast

I am moving from California to New York in early spring. I am looking for reasonable rentals in a safe neighborhood for a single woman within 45 minutes of JFK. Any ideas? Thanks

Thats a pretty open question. You might have better luck if you gave a budget.

[sean sean sean sean]

Like andy said, depends on what "reasonable" is. Studios generally start at $800, most are a little more. You can find 1brs in good neighborhoods for $1000, but it's rare. $1200-$1500 is more typical.

45 minutes to JFK limits you to south shore Nassau/Western Suffolk, or anything north along the Queens border (Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Great Neck area). If you're going to be working there or commuting frequently you'll wanna get as close as possible because the traffic can get insane and really stretch that drive out. Most of what you'll find will be rentals in converted single family homes, although there are dedicated apartment buildings here and there....including some very nice ones in Long Beach, Garden City, Rockville Centre and Great Neck.

According to Forbes magazine, Long Island is the safest region to live in America and I wouldn't really disagree with that. There are neighborhoods that you don't want to go walking around passed midnight, but these will be very obvious by looking at them. If an area looks nice to you, 99 times out of 100 it is a nice area. There's very little hidden danger, some places even look a lot worse than they really are.

I'd also take a look around Queens if I were you. There's a much larger selection and variety of rentals, LI is somewhat limited. Generally cheaper for studios/1br as well. Both areas have their positives/negatives, good luck!

[andybuildz]

You might want to check the Huntington area...its really a nice town if you're coming from Ca. Lots to do and lots of versitility.

[nancy thereader]

Babylon, too. It does have apartments and it's not too far from the city. You would be on the same shore as JFK so the drive would not be too bad. It's pretty, too, as is Huntington & very small-townish.

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by Westcoast/Eastcoast

I am moving from California to New York in early spring. I am looking for reasonable rentals in a safe neighborhood for a single woman within 45 minutes of JFK. Any ideas? Thanks

Would be better to know your budget, but Douglaston, Great Neck/Little Neck, Bayside would all be good commutes (relative for new york) and being single, I would imagine being closer into the city, while also being in neighborhoods with some walkable social options would be a good fit.

[DonnaReed]

Originally Posted by Westcoast/Eastcoast

I am moving from California to New York in early spring. I am looking for reasonable rentals in a safe neighborhood for a single woman within 45 minutes of JFK. Any ideas? Thanks

How about Five Towns or Woodmere?

You'd be much closer to the airport than forty-five minutes.

I think determining "safe" and "unsafe" neighborhoods can get pretty tricky.

I dont' really agree with "safe" and "unsafe" neigborhoods.

I've lived in NYC and have frequented the boroughs and Long Island for a looong time.

What's safe?

Where's safe?

Don't walk the streets late at night, don't hang out in bars getting drunk. Don't invite strange men to your home, lock your door at night, etc. wherever you are.

And what's "reasonable" is relative to YOUR income, budget, lifestyle. Who can say.

Shucks, I agree with the poster who says that there are no reasonable rents/mortgages to be had.

[andybuildz]

I could rent you my tipi