Is Baldwin THAT bad? (Hempstead, Babylon: showing, apartments, jobs)

[SamTheCatRocks]

Baldwin has more scary areas than nice ones these days. I don't live in Baldwin, but take the railroad into Manhattan from there each day and in the last 5 years, that area has gone downhill fast. If you're a woman by yourself, I wouldn't advise going north of Sunrise on Grand Avenue. It's not safe and downright seedy. Growing up, I had friends who lived north and the area was lovely but it has seriously gone through a transformation since the late 80s and the neighborhoods have changed drastically. When it comes to investing hard earned $$s in real estate, I'd absolutely shy far away from Baldwin. There are much nicer areas on the south shore.

[GigiBowman]

Boy, I have to say that people can be real cruel about their descriptions of lovely towns on Long Island. What a shame that people from other area's come here and automatically get someone's opinion on "good" vs "bad" and give a town a bad rap because THEY think so..... Unfortunately people do listen to that sort of crap....and unfortunately people are doing long island a real disservice by being so "blatantly honest" when it's really only one's opinion. Poor Baldwin. Which town will you rip apart next I wonder?

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by stressed

I would like to clear something up. I happen to be friends with the "dreggies" that work at the Baldwin Petco. I grew up with them and if you take some time to talk to them, you might be surpised to find that they have something valuable to offer.

Let me be clear. I was not referring to the workers. I was referring to a few unsavory types who were customers. Let me reassure you about that. I in no way referred to workers ever. Workers were very nice from what I recall, nothing at all to say about them.

And no one i referred to as a "dreg" was young emo type. I know what they are, see them all the time. That's just kids going through phases. I am talking about adults who leave much to be desired in way of having them as your neighbor. So yes, I know what goths are, and that was not at all who I saw. I would be less worried if I saw young people simply going thru phases as opposed to people in their 40s and 50s who look like bums/junkies/beggars on the street (which is what I saw).

[sean sean sean sean]

Originally Posted by GigiBowman

Boy, I have to say that people can be real cruel about their descriptions of lovely towns on Long Island. What a shame that people from other area's come here and automatically get someone's opinion on "good" vs "bad" and give a town a bad rap because THEY think so..... Unfortunately people do listen to that sort of crap....and unfortunately people are doing long island a real disservice by being so "blatantly honest" when it's really only one's opinion. Poor Baldwin. Which town will you rip apart next I wonder?

I'm with you....and what's funny is that if you actually take the time to read these threads, the majority of comments from actual RESIDENTS of Baldwin are very positive. Everyone on the outside apparently believes the boogey man lives there. It's a truly strange and disturbing phenomenon.

In other Baldwin news, apparently every inch of it's commercial real estate is currently being plowed over for box stores. Conway Motors and the little Irish bar on Sunrise are the latest victims. I believe the entire downtown Grand Avenue area is slated for bastardization within the coming year. Maybe a nice rectangular Target or Wal-Mart will soften the fears of internet dwelling Soccer Mom's all across Long Island. Lord knows the Mister Cookie and Chinese buffet on Grand are absolute nightmare fuel. They gotta go!

[opelske]

Originally Posted by Glad2BHere

What does a tranny hooker scream? Are you serious? It screams dreg neighborhood to me. You won't find any trannie hookers coming out of homes in the Wantagh Mandalay area I bet.

I have never seen hookers in ANY area of LI that is considered a "good area". And I am always traveling all over the island, throughout neighborhoods (day and night) so I am definitely not sheltered.

I agree. Who would want to invest hard earned money in a home they plan to live in, and who in their right mind would want to rear children in an area that they do not believe a relatively safe one. What is so difficult to understand? If one desires to be in an area that is family oriented and essentially safe, then that is their choice -- we all have a list of absolute essentials -- safety, familiarity, etc. it's all a matter of individual choice in choosing the best fit for ourselves and our families. Before moving anywhere, it's good to stay awhile, rent, walk around, meet the people who live there. It has everything to do with what one will or will not tolerate in their lives - we choose our areas when we acknowledge our tolerance levels. A good area is Westbury. Beautiful and well maintained homes, cultural diversity, lots of restaurants and shopping, walkable town, growing Post Avenue businesses, new condos -- a lovely town with a nice mix of working class, professionals and families with children. There are some beautiful towns on Long Island with moderate priced homes, relatively safe and not so crazy taxes -- it just takes some research, planning and shopping around.

[GigiBowman]

Originally Posted by sean sean sean sean

I'm with you....and what's funny is that if you actually take the time to read these threads, the majority of comments from actual RESIDENTS of Baldwin are very positive. Everyone on the outside apparently believes the boogey man lives there. It's a truly strange and disturbing phenomenon.

In other Baldwin news, apparently every inch of it's commercial real estate is currently being plowed over for box stores. Conway Motors and the little Irish bar on Sunrise are the latest victims. I believe the entire downtown Grand Avenue area is slated for bastardization within the coming year. Maybe a nice rectangular Target or Wal-Mart will soften the fears of internet dwelling Soccer Mom's all across Long Island. Lord knows the Mister Cookie and Chinese buffet on Grand are absolute nightmare fuel. They gotta go!

sean sean sean, you make me laugh

I grew up in Baldwin, and went to the High School. My parents still live there...on the water. Growing up on the water is like no other experience. You have a neighborhood in the front of your house...but behind you is access to a vast and amazing other world...where people wave as you pass them...everyone smiles........ Baldwin happens to be one of those towns with affordable waterfront. Not to mention some very nice neighborhoods with lots of people who have stayed in this community their whole lives --which to me, is a telltale sign that a town is special. I still get the quarterly nexus newspaper from BHS and I still see the same old faces and get to read up on how everyone is doing.....if people moved away from the area, their families have remained.

Baldwin, just another beautiful town on Long Island

[VillageOfWestbury]

[quote=opelske;3478361]...tolerance levels. A good area is Westbury. Beautiful and well maintained homes, cultural diversity, lots of restaurants and shopping, walkable town, growing Post Avenue businesses, new condos -- a lovely town with a nice mix of working class, professionals and families with children...QUOTE]

While I do agree with most of your post I think Westbury is solidly a middle-class area with sections of upper-middle class residents. The estimated median income in 2007 was around $92K which is probably skewed since thes e stats are calc'd by zip code which would include New Cassel. I'm quite sure that many sections particularly areas north of the northern state have median incomes well over $100K.

[newtoli]

Saw this on Newsday and thought of this thread... Why are 100 people on the street anyway without being dispersed by police??
Shots fired during street brawl in Baldwin -- Newsday.com (broken link)

Shots were fired and fights broke out amid a crowd of about 100 people early Sunday morning on a Baldwin street corner, the Nassau police said.

The fights broke up and the crowd dispersed when officers responded to a 4 a.m. call about the disturbance near the corner of Grand and Seaman avenues. The officers could not determine whether anyone was injured.

First Squad detectives ask anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

[sean sean sean sean]

Wow that's crazy...when I worked in Baldwin, it was about a hundred feet from that corner.

[Maria K]

I never heard about that story.

Where I live is very quiet and I feel safe walking down the street.

The people here are nicer than Brentwood...and they're actually friendly.