Best North Shore Town in Suffolk Co. to Call Home? (New York: tax lien, real estate)

[baktuny]

I've read repeatedly about the terrible traffic, housing cost, the rude people, high taxes, etc....
Besides all of that, where and why is living on the North Shore in Suffolk County desireable?

[NYTom]

How come Smithtown and Saint James are not on the poll?

[rockypointny]

In My opinion, although i may be biased, Rocky Point has alot to offer to any buyer. The School District is excellent, its relatively affordable, it has a small town atmosphere, and the people are wonderful. If a "Best Buy Long Island" poll were set up, Rocky Point should be at the top of the list. Nowhere else are you going to find the geographic beauty, north shore location, and great neighbors that Rocky Point offers at such an affordable price.

[baktuny]

Originally Posted by NYTom

How come Smithtown and Saint James are not on the poll?

Indeed, Smithtown and St. James should be included.
What are the characteristics that set them apart from one another and say, Stony Brook?
Sorry for the omission.

[baktuny]

Originally Posted by rockypointny

In My opinion, although i may be biased, Rocky Point has alot to offer to any buyer. The School District is excellent, its relatively affordable, it has a small town atmosphere, and the people are wonderful. If a "Best Buy Long Island" poll were set up, Rocky Point should be at the top of the list. Nowhere else are you going to find the geographic beauty, north shore location, and great neighbors that Rocky Point offers at such an affordable price.

Rockpointny, this is exactly the sort of information that I was hoping to extract. I know there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to the stereotypical descriptors of Long Island residents and the commuities of the North Shore.

The key reason for this post, besides getting to know my soon to be future neighbor Check123, was to get independent and biased/unbiased insight, feedback, suggestions and recommendations into the North Shore communities that you currently call home.

Perhaps, you have lived in other Suffolk County communities that warrant a comparison to your current place of residence; Schools,quality of life, community involvement/activism, impact of the influx of tourists, etc...?

Thanks again Rockpointny

[baktuny]

Originally Posted by Check123

I'll remember to tell that to all the Court Jesters at the tax lien auction.

All joking aside... Welcome back to New York.

Thank you Check123; We can't wait to get back.
We raised three kids in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn almost ten years ago and two will be returning with us.
So, tell me, what is your North Shore proclivity?
Did you vote the thread poll?

[rockypointny]

okay, basically Port Jefferson, Northport, and Huntington are most similar with a downtown harbor and many shops and tourists. They are probably the more expensive out of the towns listed.Basically you'll have to pay in the upper 500,000 range to get anything decent. Baiting hollow is also a beautiful town, more rural but not so centralized since it is a part of the Riverhead school system, which does not have such a good reputation. Stony Brook has a wide variety of homes both tract housing and more rustic neighbrohoods in the section toward the water known as "Old Stony Brook" or "Stony Brook Village". The Three village school district is top rated and the community has a new england atmoshphere. In Rocky Point your going to find there is a wide variety of housing to choose from. The eastern portion of the town was once a beach resort community and is made up of older homes, many on small lots. The smaller bungalows go for around 300,000 and other homes in this area can reach over 1 million, mostly those on the water. Western Rocky Point Is primarily made up of subdivisions "The Tides" being one "Pickwick beach" and "Oak Hills" being others. Oak Hills tends to be the most expensive but is a gorgeous neighborhood where most homes are 3,000 square feet and up.Overall our town really has a home style for anyone, and homes to fit any price range.

[NYTom]

Well Smithtown is right near the Northern State and Sagtikos Parkways so it makes commuting relatively easy. Rocky Point, although nice, is a good 45 minutes from the parkways making for a long commute.
Saint James is an extension of Smithtown with more of an old town feel to it.
Smithtown has beautiful beaches, parks for horses, great shopping and restaurants.

[baktuny]

Originally Posted by NYTom

Well Smithtown is right near the Northern State and Sagtikos Parkways so it makes commuting relatively easy. Rocky Point, although nice, is a good 45 minutes from the parkways making for a long commute.
Saint James is an extension of Smithtown with more of an old town feel to it.
Smithtown has beautiful beaches, parks for horses, great shopping and restaurants.

Thank you NYTom,
What about the quality of the schools in Smithtown and St. James, and are they consolidated or are they separate school districts?

Is the layout of the villages more condusive to walking or driving in, parking and then doing your shopping?

[GCGuy]

I like Northport and Smithtown the best. Both have excellent schools and very nice areas. Northport would be #1 since it's a little more West, closer to Huntington (which the village is GREAT). Stony Brook and Pt. Jeff are also great, just farther east. Get a better deal on the house, though.

I would not live in a Huntington SD home. They are ok, but a lot of "bad element" can be mixed in.

And, please, don't listen to the complainers on this board. The vast majority of them don't know what they're talking about. Most other places I've been to (including the South), the people are more rude and the traffic is much worse. Sure, homes can be pricey, but you get what you pay for in real estate. Taxes are high, but with all else considered, I don't think it's the end of the world. Most of these people can't afford a house and have sour grapes. LI is a really great place with a lot of great people and positive attributes (lowest crime in the country, high standard of living, very nice areas, great shopping, close to the greatest city in the world, great parks and tons of beaches, and the list goes on).

Good luck with the move and don't be deterred by drivel.