Moving to LI, possibly Long Beach, need advice (Hempstead, Freeport: renter, school district)

[ManhattanMama]

Hi Folks,
Am a NYer/LIer who's been living overseas for over 25 years. Am coming back for good this July, and am 'flying blind' onto Long Island. I know it's changed alot since I was a kid just from some school profiles I've seen. I'm a single mom w. 2 angels going into grades 4 and 3. Private school out of the question so looking for decent public schools, and will be renting until further notice.

Any help and suggestions provided will be most gratefully appreciated.

Thanks for you time and wishing you all the best.
S.

[fopt65]

Long Beach has gotten very expensive. They are planning to raise their property taxes 25 % this year. July might be tough getting rentals as it is high season for rentals. Island Park, Freeport, or Baldwin might be cheaper

[ManhattanMama]

Dear fopt65,
I'll be renting so although there may be exceptions, I've never heard of a renter on LI (or anywhere else for that matter) that paid property tax. Freeport is out of the question b/c of the school district (one of the worst on the island). Island Park? I dunno, would have to check schools, Baldwin ditto. Long Beach is being seriously considered for two reasons: 1) it's on the water, which is very important for my soul, 2) we are coming from Israel and it's important esp. for my children to have a significant Jewish community nearby, not orthodox (we're not) but my children will have enough to deal with w/o being in a culture/community totally foreign to them. If you have any other suggestions, believe me it would be appreciated.

Thanks again and all the best.
S.

[lore9070]

I would strongly recommend Long Beach. The Jewish community is very strong, and the school district is outstanding. Long Beach also has a large variety of outstanding children's programs available right in the village, such as tae kwon do, dance, yoga, music together, piano, etc. The library is large and has a lot of free services available to children thoughout the summer. If you can afford Long Beach, this is definitley where you should go, the beach is beautiful, the children will have plenty to do, there are concerts on the beach each week, and there is plenty to get involved in.

[ManhattanMama]

I really appreciate your thorough response and believe me, it came just at the right time. I've already started to look for housing and also have started wondering if I hadn't gone out of my mind with all the hassles of the move! Your positive and informative input is a welcome breath of fresh air.

Thank you so much,
Shlomit

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by fopt65

Long Beach has gotten very expensive. They are planning to raise their property taxes 25 % this year. July might be tough getting rentals as it is high season for rentals. Island Park, Freeport, or Baldwin might be cheaper

Island park, baldwin & freeport= crapholes

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by lore9070

I would strongly recommend Long Beach. The Jewish community is very strong, and the school district is outstanding. Long Beach also has a large variety of outstanding children's programs available right in the village, such as tae kwon do, dance, yoga, music together, piano, etc. The library is large and has a lot of free services available to children thoughout the summer. If you can afford Long Beach, this is definitley where you should go, the beach is beautiful, the children will have plenty to do, there are concerts on the beach each week, and there is plenty to get involved in.

I have only been to Long Beach for the random night out or restaurant outing in recent years, and I have not been there within the last year...but there is a strong jewish community??? I always figured it for irish/catholic,with a dash of diversity. Again, I could care less, I just did not know the jewish community was as strong a presence. Other areas such as Oceanside and the Five Towns were always described to me as large jewish communities, but never Long Beach. I have no agenda in asking, I was simply curious. I was also curious about the schools. A 26% free lunch rate can often mean challenges with the student population. If it is in fact a superlative school then great, but I would dig in a bit more on those numbers in advance of making such a big move.

[Walter Greenspan]

For those who may not be familiar with Long Beach:

Long Beach is a city (chartered in 1922) located on Long Beach Island in the southwest part of Nassau County.

Beginning on the north and moving in a clockwise direction, the City of Long Beach is bordered on the north by Hewlett Bay and Reynolds Channel; on the east by the Hamlet of Lido Beach in the Town of Hempstead; on the south by the Atlantic Ocean; and, on the west by the Hamlet of East Atlantic Beach in the Town of Hempstead.

Two out of every 5 places with a "Long Beach, NY 11561" mailing address are NOT in the City of Long Beach: places that have a "Long Beach, NY 1561" mailing address, but are not in the City of Long Beach, are in the Hamlet of East Atlantic Beach and the Hamlet of Lido Beach, both of these hamlets are in the Town of Hempstead.

Prior to 1922 when Long Beach became a city and became independent of the Town of Hempstead, Long Beach was a village (incorporated in 1918) in the Town of Hempstead, and prior to that, Long Beach was a hamlet (an unincorporated area) in the Town of Hempstead, initially in Queens County until January 1, 1899, and since then in Nassau County.

[nynraleigh]

My brother lives in Long Beach, has for several years...It's a great community! I think you will be happy there. I would attempt to secure a rental by March/April...as the summer season approaches, rentals become slim to none. Good Luck.

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by ManhattanMama

Hi Folks,
Am a NYer/LIer who's been living overseas for over 25 years. Am coming back for good this July, and am 'flying blind' onto Long Island. I know it's changed alot since I was a kid just from some school profiles I've seen. I'm a single mom w. 2 angels going into grades 4 and 3. Private school out of the question so looking for decent public schools, and will be renting until further notice.

Any help and suggestions provided will be most gratefully appreciated.

Thanks for you time and wishing you all the best.
S.

Long Beach isn't much of a family community- lots of youngins drinkin all the time...and it's ghetto pretty badly by the waldbaums & the train station. IMO, Long Beach sucks. Atrocious parking and it's so far from everything.