wantagh (New York, Hempstead, East Meadow: transplants, rental homes, low crime)

[carolyn11]

Would like some imformation about Wantagh, New York. The schools and the community. We are interested in a good schools system and a town with low crime and easy access to NYC by train.

[jedwardjos]

The school system in Wantagh is considered to be above average. There is very little crime. You can commute to NYC via the Long Island Railroad, which will probably take a little under an hour. Housing prices have come down but property taxes are high. The majority of Wantagh is basically a nice middle to upper middle class community.

[creative1]

My sister lived in Wantagh for a while and had no problem with the schools. I loved where she lived..near to the Southern state pkwy. It was centrally located to nearly EVERYTHING you would want. Hempstead Tpke was a minute away (all big name stores--target and etc.) and the Wantagh Parkway was near as well (to take you north and south)
It's not a homogenus town which is nice and not overly affluent which is nice also. There are many rental homes in the area I think (my sis rented hers) That may be an option for you before you buy. Wantagh has many different "communities" and you may want to acclimate to the area and decide what "part" of wantagh you want to live in.
If you have specific queries maybe I can enlist my sister's help for you...............

[journalist]

I am looking for people who are moving or who have recently moved to Long Island for a story I'm writing on transplants to the area. The people moving here are definitely bucking the trend, as more people are leaving than coming to Long Island.

[fopt65]

Originally Posted by carolyn11

Would like some imformation about Wantagh, New York. The schools and the community. We are interested in a good schools system and a town with low crime and easy access to NYC by train.

It fits all of the above requirements, and is close to Jones Beach for surf, sand, and sun!

[Denniswr]

Bethpage is close to Wantagh and is certainly worth a look at also

[lisanyfl12]

Wantagh is very nice. You should also check out Bellmore and Merrick which are the towns right next store. That is where I am from and I miss it dearly. Great area , great people, excellent schools, shopping, acess to the city, beaches. All these towns have different communitites within them. Like Madalay, wantagh woods, north wantagh, Merrick woods, Merrick gables etc.

[boomvang]

I grew up in Wantagh, my married daughter still lives there. It is a fine town, with good schools and low crime, as already mentioned. It also is known as "The Gateway to Jones Beach", which has to be one of the best in the world. It does lack a cohesive downtown area, unlike the neighboring towns of Bellmore and Merrick. That said, there is plenty of local shopping, as well as easy access to all major highways. The City is 1 hour away by LIRR, with frequent service. If you are looking for an ideal suburban setting, and have enough money to afford it, Wantagh and vicinity are tough to beat.

[trip]

The only thing that would concern me about the schools, in Wantagh & neighboring town Seaford, both districts are running with teachers without contracts. If that continues for a few years (look at Long Beach & East Meadow) property values suffer.

Trip

[fopt65]

Originally Posted by trip

The only thing that would concern me about the schools, in Wantagh & neighboring town Seaford, both districts are running with teachers without contracts. If that continues for a few years (look at Long Beach & East Meadow) property values suffer.

Trip

I think the falling propery values in Long Beach and East Meadow have more to do with their changing demographics than their teacher contract status.