BUYING in Huntington v. Merrick (Oyster Bay, Jericho: new house, neighborhood, price)

[Walter Greenspan]

For those who may not be familiar with Merrick:

Merrick is a hamlet (an unincorporated area) in the center-south section of the Town of Hempstead, in the central-south part of Nassau County.

Beginning on the north and moving in a clockwise direction, the Hamlet of Merrick in the Town of Hempstead is bordered on the north by the Hamlet of North Merrick and the Hamlet of North Bellmore; on the east by the Hamlet of Bellmore; on the south by the East Bay; and, on the west by the Village of Freeport.

The Hamlet of Merrick has a different border than does the "Merrick, NY 11566" postal zone (i.e., a place can have a "Merrick, NY 11566" address and not be in the Hamlet of Merrick and a place can be in the Hamlet of Merrick and have other than a "Merrick, NY 11566" mailing address): places that have a "Merrick, NY 11566" mailing address but are not in the Hamlet of Merrick are in the Hamlet of North Merrick and the Hamlet of North Bellmore; and, at the same time, there are places in the Hamlet of Merrick that have a "Freeport, NY 11520" mailing address.





For a good set of town-by-town maps showing all the villages and hamlets in each of LI's 13 towns (3 in Nassau County and 10 in Suffolk County):

http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...-resource.html

[GCGuy]

I would echo other's comments about Huntington being the best bet. Aside from being more welcoming, etc., I think the downtown, etc. are a much better fit for someone coming from the city. Huntington Village is a wonderful place with a ton of bars, restarants, shops, etc. It's really great, plus, there's eveyything on Jericho, Cold Spring Harbor, and Nortport 5 minutes away. That, more so than people not looking at you funny, is why you should move to Huntington. Great town. Good luck with the move.

Originally Posted by Ganymede

My partner and I are considering relocating from Manhattan to either Huntington or Merrick. We found a home in each town which we're considering but they're both off the beaten track (i.e. south of 25A or north of Merrick Road).

We're wondering whether these specific areas might be less "gay-friendly" or at worst, not necessarily nice areas since they are both off major highways.

The north shore house is on Barre Place (cross street is Stowe), one block north of (and facing!) Jericho Turnpike near DSW.

The south shore house is near the Merrick train station midblock between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road.

We're willing to pay to $600K with $10K taxes but even in this market are having problems finding a renovated ranch with central air on a minimal quarter acre lot.

[rubygreta]

Huntington, Huntington, Huntington! But not Huntington Station.

[mgcmcw]

Merrick is not known for embrassing diversity. It is a bit homogeneous. Huntington seems more open and I love the little town on Main Street. It has a more hip vibe with the cafes and Birkenstock strore. Merrick seems more traditional, however, I am sure you will not not have too many problems. If you are not thinking about having children and schools are not an issue, perhaps Freeport near the Nautical Mile would be a good place. Its a fun place and lots of diversity. I find it to be welcoming.

[Walter Greenspan]

For those who may not be familiar with Freeport:

First named Great South Woods, the area was later called Raynor South and later still Raynortown after Edward Raynor who settled the area in 1659, Freeport is a village (incorporated in 1892) in the south-center part of the Town of Hempstead, in the south-central part of Nassau County.

Beginning on the north and moving in a clockwise direction, the Village of Freeport is bordered on the north by the Hamlet of Roosevelt; on the east by the Hamlet of Merrick; on the south by the Hamlet of Merrick and the East Channel; and, on the west by the Hamlet of Baldwin Harbor and the Hamlet of Baldwin.

The Village of Freeport has a different border than does the "Freeport, NY 11520" postal zone (i.e., a place can have a "Freeport, NY 11520" mailing address and not be in the Village of Freeport): places with a "Freeport, NY 11520" mailing address that are not in the Village of Freeport are in the Hamlet of Merrick, the Hamlet of Roosevelt and the Hamlet of Baldwin Harbor.





For a good set of town-by-town maps showing all the villages and hamlets in each of LI's 13 towns (3 in Nassau County and 10 in Suffolk County):

http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...-resource.html

[blender]

Merrick vs. Huntington area? Yes, the north shore topography is nicer and Huntington is a great town, but it really depends on your lifestyle and preferences, i.e.:

COMMUTE TIME
Expect to spend at least an extra forty minutes a day on the infamous Long Island Railroad if you choose Huntington. However, Merrick doesn't offer free covered garage parking and Huntington does - if you get an early enough train. That's a big deal in winter. I don't think any other town in Long Island offers that. I'd personally rather scrape the ice off my windshield than endure another daily 40 minutes on a train. You may feel otherwise.

ARE YOU A HOMEBODY?
The town of Huntington is great and the topography is beautiful, but what good does it do you if you choose to stay home all the time? Think about it - maybe that extra forty minutes a day on the train will do you in - not everybody can tune out with an ipod, DVD, newspaper, etc. Don't forget - it's a 30 minute drive to Huntington on the weekend to get that artsy urban small town fix (i.e. Starbucks v. 7-11).

WHAT STYLE OF HOUSE DO YOU LIKE? HOW IMPORTANT IS LAND?
Huntington offers a more diverse range of styles of nice houses over a wider area. Not to perpetuate stereotypes but if you like old and charming (aside from Victorians), Merrick offers nice tudors and atypical mediterraneans - but usually on small 50x100 plots.

So my advice basically is:

If you hate commuting, aren't into strolling down Main Streets of charming towns on weekends, like to stay at home and don't mind smaller plots with less privacy because you may get an awesome interior (see attached pics of one, not my house by the way), Merrick is for you.

If a longer commute doesn't bother you, the latest train you take to work is perhaps around 7am and you hate scraping ice off windshields, you get involved in town functions and like to get out of the house to stroll through them and windowshop, and like more land, privacy, more for your tax dollar and maybe views, pick Huntington.

[AndreaII]

That's a really nice looking house - and nice floors, etc. Do they move the piano out if someone wants to play it?

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by mgcmcw

Merrick is not known for embrassing diversity. It is a bit homogeneous.

I would agree that Merrick is not known for embracing diversity. I really would stick with Huntington.

[GCGuy]

Doesn't Huntington have a 55min express to Penn?

Originally Posted by blender

Merrick vs. Huntington area? Yes, the north shore topography is nicer and Huntington is a great town, but it really depends on your lifestyle and preferences, i.e.:

COMMUTE TIME
Expect to spend at least an extra forty minutes a day on the infamous Long Island Railroad if you choose Huntington. However, Merrick doesn't offer free covered garage parking and Huntington does - if you get an early enough train. That's a big deal in winter. I don't think any other town in Long Island offers that. I'd personally rather scrape the ice off my windshield than endure another daily 40 minutes on a train. You may feel otherwise.

ARE YOU A HOMEBODY?
The town of Huntington is great and the topography is beautiful, but what good does it do you if you choose to stay home all the time? Think about it - maybe that extra forty minutes a day on the train will do you in - not everybody can tune out with an ipod, DVD, newspaper, etc. Don't forget - it's a 30 minute drive to Huntington on the weekend to get that artsy urban small town fix (i.e. Starbucks v. 7-11).

WHAT STYLE OF HOUSE DO YOU LIKE? HOW IMPORTANT IS LAND?
Huntington offers a more diverse range of styles of nice houses over a wider area. Not to perpetuate stereotypes but if you like old and charming (aside from Victorians), Merrick offers nice tudors and atypical mediterraneans - but usually on small 50x100 plots.

So my advice basically is:

If you hate commuting, aren't into strolling down Main Streets of charming towns on weekends, like to stay at home and don't mind smaller plots with less privacy because you may get an awesome interior (see attached pics of one, not my house by the way), Merrick is for you.

If a longer commute doesn't bother you, the latest train you take to work is perhaps around 7am and you hate scraping ice off windshields, you get involved in town functions and like to get out of the house to stroll through them and windowshop, and like more land, privacy, more for your tax dollar and maybe views, pick Huntington.

[snowflake]

I have lived in both Merrick and Huntington and would have to agree that Huntington is the best bet. Good Luck on your move.