Moving back to Long Island from NC (Southampton, Nesconset: renters, health insurance)

[SteffensRule]

To reply to Iminformed2: you asked why NC, a good question, one that should have been explained in more detail. My move to NC has nothing to do with following the herd, the pure fact is that I narrowed down my search by starting with approximately 20 places around the United States - researching everything from business trends to school statistics, all the way down to topography and weather trends. My decision for NC factored everything into account, however I must agree with you that most people are moving down for all of the wrong reasons. Common sense (which unfortunately eludes many of us) dictates that if you have a skill to sell - you will be able to make a living no matter where you are in the world, however if you lack a marketable skill, your life will become the same grind no matter what state you call home.

I am a firm believer that you need to do right by yourself and your family and the first part of that is to determine what you and your family actually need from a location.

[mom2three]

Originally Posted by aplacetocallhome

NickL28

I'm not rich, I don't make 250 yr and there are plenty of people on LI that make alot less than that and are still surviving in LI . Why are you so negative? I don't own a SUV and don't max my credit cards or spend my weekends shopping. I'm actually a very down to earth mother of 3 girls that likes to spend quality time with family. Not everyone in LI is well off and shalow . Regarding started homes, there are plenty of homes in suffolk county that start at $250-350 in good school district is just a matter of searching.

Just out of curiosity are you from Long Island?

Just wondering... where have you seen a home for $250-$350K on L.I in a good school district?? My family has been in real estate on L.I for years and in the past few years, I have not seen or heard of these prices, unless the house is falling apart and needs at least 50K to make it decent.

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

We moved from Queens to Hicksville LI and we have been living here now for about 14 years and my wife and I to this day still feel like an outcast. Why? Well, lets start with the stuck up mothers in the schools that think there sh*t don't stink because there driving a Benz or BMW

In Hicksville ????? Are you sure you have the town right ?

I think she's talkin' bout' my town of Cold Spring Harbor...lol.
and...
..not everyone can have a 20' tipi like I have...HAHAHAHA
It's all so relative isn't it?
You should only hear what my cousins who live in the south Bronx think of my other cousins that live in Corona Queens...oy...lol

[yeaitsme]

Originally Posted by mom2three

Just wondering... where have you seen a home for $250-$350K on L.I in a good school district?? My family has been in real estate on L.I for years and in the past few years, I have not seen or heard of these prices, unless the house is falling apart and needs at least 50K to make it decent.

It is available. I think this is all being overly dramatic. Bayport Blue Point, Three Village all have home in the $300s. Roslyn SD has homes in the $400s. I am sure I can frind more this is just off the top of my head. So it can be done. Priorities need to be set. Also who says the only option is a single family home to start? It seems like everyone wants it all right away.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by yeaitsme

It is available. I think this is all being overly dramatic. Bayport Blue Point, Three Village all have home in the $300s. Roslyn SD has homes in the $400s. I am sure I can frind more this is just off the top of my head. So it can be done. Priorities need to be set. Also who says the only option is a single family home to start? It seems like everyone wants it all right away.

I can vouch that that there are a few houses in the 300K in the TVCSD. One is right on 25A in Stony Brook, next door to the office building by the LI Museum -- it has about 10' from the road to the front door and is situated on a postage stamp. But it can be had for a shade over $300K. The remainder in the 300K-399K range are major fixer uppers. But as you've written, they are out there to be had. One has to have realistic expectations and they will find it.

A home is a priority, granite kitchens and baths are not.

[ushighlanders]

Originally Posted by PhilG

I agree with you Sunrise. I moved upstate for college in '97, met my wife, and ended up settling here. I wish I could move back. I earn just a little more than you, and my wife does not work outside the home anymore now that we've had our first child several months ago. We save, live in a two-family home in Albany that we own and that has increased in value tremendously, and we've purchased several investment properties. We've been able to do this because we did not spend our money on cars, vacations (well, one cruise), $2k televisions, or very little else for that matter. We purchased beautiful furniture for our home that we plan to keep for many, many years, and we are going to Europe next summer (splurge). Those are the only expensive purchases we've made or will make in the near future. Basically, what one earns matters - to an extent. Money management is equally or arguably much more important.

I would love to move back to the south shore, albeit only for the fact that I'll be back on the south shore. I know I'll be paying through the nose for taxes and for the initial property purchase, but that's the premium we must resign ourselves to for the luxury of living in a beautiful area close to the ocean, NYC, my family, several large airports, food, culture and, again, the ocean (it's worth repeating!). In a few years, we would like to liquidate our investment properties and purchase for cash, or at least make a very large downpayment on, a nice family home somewhere in Babylon, West Islip, or possibly a little bit further east.

The one problem we'll face, though, is that I will still have a relatively low income that must support a 1k or more per month tax/insurance budget or escrow as well as all the other expenses of a small family without the second income. We also want to send our daughter (children??) to a private Christian school. That being said, though we have, can and would live below our means, we will still likely not be able to afford living on LI on a teacher's salary.

Sunrise, how did you manage to buy your house on a 50k/year salary? Did you save 100s of thousands over the past few years? Did you buy a small condo? Can you tell me how so I can do the same?

I have to say that I pay more for taxes upstate than my parents do in Southampton! Their house is worth @ $600,000 and they pay around $2000 a year in property and school taxes combined, while my house in Ulster county is worth @ $300,000 and I pay $5500 in property and school taxes. See those weekenders with mansions help a lot!

[ushighlanders]

Originally Posted by GCGuy

The fact is, there are many areas that are "hot." They are hot b/c of people moving from pricier areas. Houes prices will go up, b/c the money is now there. More people will come b/c of these great deals. more infrastructure will need to be built, requiring millions, hence taxes will rise. More people with more money will want to spend that money, so a lot of the retail, restaurants, etc. will become more pricey, leading to higher rents, leading to higher prices. Then the salaries of civil servants, like teachers, cops, etc., will have to increase so they can afford to live in the areas.

Guess what, you are now living in the same type of place that you left.

Except for it's warmer!!!!
And, hopefully, you pick a town with a better "personality".

[ushighlanders]

Originally Posted by yeaitsme

Please what planet are ou on? This is so over exaggerating that it is false. First of all Long Island is not at all about shopping and maxing out credit cards. Those who love it know it is about the Island itself. The fact we have NYC, mountains, amazing beaches, easy access to travel, good schools, diversity, job opportunities....I could go on and on. yes it is expensive but there are homes under $500K in great neighborhoods. Those starting off can do it as long as they buy a STARTER home. People seem to forget that hard work will still get you far on Long Island. Making $250k a year is not a nessessity at all.

There are mountains on LI?????
Where?
Lost some credability with me...

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by ushighlanders

There are mountains on LI?????
Where?
Lost some credability with me...

Well...he lumped in NYC w/LI so I'm assuming when he says mtns he means all within close proximity which is true.
Three hours door to door and I'm skiing Hunter.
And I'm no big advocate of LI and I've been here most of my life although I am looking to leave for varies reasons. Change of pace into the mtns and a bit warmer weather'd be a cpl of them. Lower taxes might be another. I can prolly' find arguments for both side of any coin. Its really what you weigh out inside for your own personal well being. The big trick is to be honest with yourself. There's good and bad where ever you go.
Its really all inside you....
We shall see : )

[ClarkStreetKid]

Jayne's Hill is the highest point on New York's Long Island, with an elevation of 400.9 feet (122.2 m) above sea level. It is situated in West Hills Country Park, a little more than a mile to the north of Melville.

That's somewhat bigger than a mole hill but a little less than Mount McKinley.