Hempstead vs. Uniondale

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by Smash255

Uniondale has had a few incidents from time to time, but crime really isn't much of a problem. Pretty much a middle class area, incomes are a bit lower in Uniondale than the county as a whole, but larger than Hempstead.

Uniondale is def. not a middle-class neighbourhood on LI.

[TVR1997]

10 years ago (hmmm, maybe 15 yrs ago) one could say that Uniondale was far surperior to Hempstead. White flight (and now black middle class flight) has truly hit the area hard, I remember that even in the 90s you would have some white children attending Walnut Street, but parents would ship them off to private school after that. There was a time when realtors would advertise Uniondale schools as a positive. Not so much anymore. Uniondale has some issues.

1) The Carribean/West Indian community that replaced many of the whites tended to be very hard working and worked hard to maintain the integrity of the community. There has been a HUGE influx of Mexican/S.American immigrants and in general (please do not flame me as I know the area well) they don't keep their homes up as well.

2) Uniondale, while expensive, is one of the more affordable areas in Nassau County. Its next to Hempstead and Roosevelt two of the worst areas in Nassau County. Enough said. It is an easy entry point to home ownership for many.

3) There has been a large influx of city residents who happen to be black...and along with that comes a difference in life in East New York, vs. Uniondale.

4) Uniondale Avenue and Front Street, two main roads, have looked more shabby than ever.

5) Uniondale schools are not good. I would not pay Uniondale prices (300k and up) to send my kids to Uniondale schools. The high school has gangs galore and a myraid of issues which are bound to get worst. The scores are bottom of the barrel and rest assured that while its possible to get a quality education there, too much other BS goes on IMHO.

6) Uniondale used to be known as jewel for the black community. Middle class (and even professional level blacks) were proud to call Uniondale their home. It was like wow you live in Uniondale! The people I see remaining now have paid off their homes and aren't leaving, but the people that are replacing them leave much to be desired.

7) Illegal apartments rum RAMPANT in Uniondale. RAMPANT. Owners realize that Uniondale is in decline and now instead of selling, split up their homes and collect rent, increasing the loads on the schools, more cars, etc. They forego home mainteance and the like.

8) Quality of business in Uniondale.

9) Crime is way up. Robberies and assault, etc. Just check Newsday and you will see several blurbs with Uniondale and very little of it is positive. NCPD has stepped up their presence in Uniondale and for good reason.

That being said, Uniondale overall is still pretty OK, especially if you got in when it was on the cheap and ESPECIALLY compared to Hempstad I have noticed a lot of homes being renovated, people planting flowers, etc. However, it is not a place I could recommend to any young family.

[jasmic73]

some of your points are valid. but, because some white kids don't attend a certain school, doesn't mean the school is in bad shape. i'm assuming you wouldn't recommend uniondale to a young white family no kidding..