Starter Houses on Long Island? (Levittown, Hicksville: mortgage, credit, lender)

[fopt65]

Originally Posted by nounedy

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Thanks to all who have helped me with transportation and school districts so far. I went to Elmont today, (Dutch broadway & Appeal Ave) to see some houses. So far I like the enviroment, but not to sure if other area in Elmont will be nice and quiet like those area. I am currently shopping for homes with a broker who said elmont and valley stream will be good according to my need. Also I will be going to valley stream next week to see some homes. even though I'm not to familiar with those two area; I plan to buy my home in Elmont or valley stream. Need help on any particular streets I should stay away from: confused: In addition, if anyone know or see for sale by owner in those area please let me know? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to be a pain, but I really need help. Thanks again.

I would stay away from the part of Elmont just south of Hempstead Turnpike directly across from Belmont race track. There are houses where the track workers, usually illegals, live in an overcrowded situation, add alcohol on a Saturday night, and you have your domestic disputes. Also, since it is so close to the Queens border and the Cross Island Parkway, you tend to have more car thefts and burglaries as they can just jump back over the line. Southern (off Dutch Broadway and Elmont Road)and Eastern Elmont(off Meacham Avenue) is nicer. Also, the part of Elmont just under South Floral Park, (Louis Ave, Roquette, Marguerite, etc )isn't as desirable due to narrower streets and wild roosters (from Belmont).
If you wanted to stay in NYC, Cambria Heights and Queens Village are both just over the line from Elmont with pretty similar demographics, but much lower taxes. I'm not sure about the house prices there, you could check with your broker about that.
Valley stream has a train station on Sunrise Highway, and also has a Gibson station. The Valley stream station has trains running more frequently, as its on the babylon branch I think (if anyone can correct me, please feel free to do so).

[Reggie4417]

Originally Posted by Check123

I really don't care. Not my problem.

For those who are moving, be sure to have your mail forwarded to your new address. Good luck.

As I sit here in Concord North Carolina, not having to work a 2nd job in NY anymore - I read your series of posts and your oh so empethetic responses to others , and I remembered that even if I had all the money in the world and the desire to stay on LI - I would still have to deal with know-it-all blowhards like yourself.

You have the answers for everthing, apparently. Work harder, quit whining, love your 3 hour commute, LI is not expensive, succeed or fall through the cracks, get your 11% a year raise ...(I guess if I worked at your job - try 4-6% if you are lucky).

Why in the hell should I continue paying so much to live on LI? I made it a point to apply for an opening in the Charlotte branch of my company, I came down here and got the job I wanted. I kept the same salary, was able to buy a much larger house on over a 1/4 acre in a beautiful planned community 20 minutes from my office. The 2850 sq/ft house cosgt us $150,000 less then the 1400 sq/ft cape I sold and the taxes are about a 1/3 of what Town of Babylon were.

I will miss the beaches and NYC for Broadway shows and museums, but working so hard, when did I have the time or money to do that?

I guess some priorities are more important then others my friend. If you weren't so busy overcompensating blindly defending LI, you would have to be honest with yourself and realize that the place is going to the dogs. All those taxes and look at the trash everywhere - enough for me thanks - I will live outside of Charlotte - althought it isn't quite as "mack daddy" as NYC - my priorities are to provide a quality life for my young kids - and LI just doesn't offer that to a middle class college educated couple like us.

Enjoy LI if it works for you, but don't you dare judge others and make it appear that if you leave LI its due to not working hard or making good decisions. Sometimes the wise decision is to leave when you realize you aren't getting any closer to the American dream of quality time with the family and dinners at home together. It was a TOUGH decision to leave the place I have lived my entire life - but it is not one that I will regret - especially since my son and daughter will have their dad at their games and school plays.

I didn't forget to forward my mail, and if I get any of your mail by mistake, like maybe an issue of "Suck It Up Weekly" I will know exactly who to send it to. Thanks for reminding me why I love Southern hopitality.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by Reggie4417

As I sit here in Concord North Carolina, not having to work a 2nd job in NY anymore - I read your series of posts and your oh so empethetic responses to others , and I remembered that even if I had all the money in the world and the desire to stay on LI - I would still have to deal with know-it-all blowhards like yourself.

You have the answers for everthing, apparently. Work harder, quit whining, love your 3 hour commute, LI is not expensive, succeed or fall through the cracks, get your 11% a year raise ...(I guess if I worked at your job - try 4-6% if you are lucky).

Why in the hell should I continue paying so much to live on LI? I made it a point to apply for an opening in the Charlotte branch of my company, I came down here and got the job I wanted. I kept the same salary, was able to buy a much larger house on over a 1/4 acre in a beautiful planned community 20 minutes from my office. The 2850 sq/ft house cosgt us $150,000 less then the 1400 sq/ft cape I sold and the taxes are about a 1/3 of what Town of Babylon were.

I will miss the beaches and NYC for Broadway shows and museums, but working so hard, when did I have the time or money to do that?

I guess some priorities are more important then others my friend. If you weren't so busy overcompensating blindly defending LI, you would have to be honest with yourself and realize that the place is going to the dogs. All those taxes and look at the trash everywhere - enough for me thanks - I will live outside of Charlotte - althought it isn't quite as "mack daddy" as NYC - my priorities are to provide a quality life for my young kids - and LI just doesn't offer that to a middle class college educated couple like us.

Enjoy LI if it works for you, but don't you dare judge others and make it appear that if you leave LI its due to not working hard or making good decisions. Sometimes the wise decision is to leave when you realize you aren't getting any closer to the American dream of quality time with the family and dinners at home together. It was a TOUGH decision to leave the place I have lived my entire life - but it is not one that I will regret - especially since my son and daughter will have their dad at their games and school plays.

I didn't forget to forward my mail, and if I get any of your mail by mistake, like maybe an issue of "Suck It Up Weekly" I will know exactly who to send it to. Thanks for reminding me why I love Southern hopitality.

Reggie, that was a very timely post. It is that kind of attitude "suck it up or get out" which resounds of selfishness and complacency. Thanks.

sunny

[Check123]

Yes, working harder would resolve many problems for many people. The vast majority of people waste time whining and making excuses instead of fixing their problems. Even with hard work, there are no guarantees of success.

Good luck in NC.

[KellyFG]

The days of 150k homes on LI are over, but my DH & I bought our house, with waterview & private beach rights, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, full basement as a fixer-upper in 2004 for $260,000. We put about 25,000 in it to make it livable doing all the work ourselves. We are in Eastern Suffolk, I commute to massapequa 4x a week, my DH works in the hamptons.
We probably looked at 50 homes before finding ours but we knew a mortgage payment much higher would not work for us even though several lenders were willing to lend us almost double.
Our taxes are 6,600-I'm considering greiving them. The school district is average(our kids don't attend it) and we feel like we live in a vacation home everyday. The pace is slower here, I love the more rural feel & we think the commute is worth it.
Neither of us have high paying jobs, just average so we live accordingly.
My car is 7 years old w/130k miles, DH's truck 5 years old with 145k miles. We eat home 99% of the time, bring coffee, breakfast & lunch from home everyday(haven't set foot in a convience store since Sept 11th). We have basic cable, no flat screens, I've never eaten in the cheesecake factory, Haven't been in roosevelt field mall since the outdoor flea market was over there, we borrow books & DVDs from the library instead of buying them.
When we renovated our kitchen in 2004 we spent just under $5,000 on cabinets, flooring, counters, 2 appliances, paint, trim, all new plumbing & electric...we live modestly. My kitchen is beautiful & new & I won't being paying back a HELOC for 15 years because of all the bells & whistles that wouldn't make me a better cook
I know the first rule of real estate is location, but I think people starting out on LI have taking that too far....reaching to live in areas that are "high end", but I would not want the worst house on the best block. I prefer NOT to spend my life keeping up with Joneses. I'd rather have a great house in a really nice neighborhood & know where I stand.
Starter homes are still avaiable IF people are willing to accept the imperfections of a starter home. Unfortunately people on Long Island have an instant gratification mentality...its ok for those that earn the money to support it, but I'm tired of hearing people holding 'caramel latte vente's' while getting into their leased Infinity complaining about it!

[Check123]

Sing it sister! Can I get an Ah-men here!

People with champagne taste and only beer money are the ones who whine the most. These are usually the same ones running to NC with their tails between their legs. "It's too expensive in NY, waaaaaaaah."

KellyFG, great post!

Originally Posted by KellyFG

The days of 150k homes on LI are over, but my DH & I bought our house, with waterview & private beach rights, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, full basement as a fixer-upper in 2004 for $260,000. We put about 25,000 in it to make it livable doing all the work ourselves. We are in Eastern Suffolk, I commute to massapequa 4x a week, my DH works in the hamptons.
We probably looked at 50 homes before finding ours but we knew a mortgage payment much higher would not work for us even though several lenders were willing to lend us almost double.
Our taxes are 6,600-I'm considering greiving them. The school district is average(our kids don't attend it) and we feel like we live in a vacation home everyday. The pace is slower here, I love the more rural feel & we think the commute is worth it.
Neither of us have high paying jobs, just average so we live accordingly.
My car is 7 years old w/130k miles, DH's truck 5 years old with 145k miles. We eat home 99% of the time, bring coffee, breakfast & lunch from home everyday(haven't set foot in a convience store since Sept 11th). We have basic cable, no flat screens, I've never eaten in the cheesecake factory, Haven't been in roosevelt field mall since the outdoor flea market was over there, we borrow books & DVDs from the library instead of buying them.
When we renovated our kitchen in 2004 we spent just under $5,000 on cabinets, flooring, counters, 2 appliances, paint, trim, all new plumbing & electric...we live modestly. My kitchen is beautiful & new & I won't being paying back a HELOC for 15 years because of all the bells & whistles that wouldn't make me a better cook
I know the first rule of real estate is location, but I think people starting out on LI have taking that too far....reaching to live in areas that are "high end", but I would not want the worst house on the best block. I prefer NOT to spend my life keeping up with Joneses. I'd rather have a great house in a really nice neighborhood & know where I stand.
Starter homes are still avaiable IF people are willing to accept the imperfections of a starter home. Unfortunately people on Long Island have an instant gratification mentality...its ok for those that earn the money to support it, but I'm tired of hearing people holding 'caramel latte vente's' while getting into their leased Infinity complaining about it!

[Reggie4417]

Originally Posted by Check123

Sing it sister! Can I get an Ah-men here!

People with champagne taste and only beer money are the ones who whine the most. These are usually the same ones running to NC with their tails between their legs. "It's too expensive in NY, waaaaaaaah."

KellyFG, great post!

There's that compasion again! I can only speak for my family, but we are far from whiners. We lived an average life, our biggest splurge was a small 15x19pool for the backyard that I bought with my bonus 2 years ago.

To me, scrimping and saving will always be a part of my life. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother growing up and hearing the stories of her life during the depression provided me with an early respect for hard work and the importance of saving.

That is what made me so nuts about living on LI once we bought our own home. We bought a starter cape built in the late 50's. We got a good deal on the house - as it was well before the market took off. But thehouse needed work. We did as much of it as possible - but siding, windows and roofing are not in my range of experience - so we had to take a Home Improvement loan to pay for it. And I am not talking about renovations for the sake of making the house look better - I am talking about asbestos shingles and casement windows - and such high gas bills due to all of the leaks around the windows and doors. Bottom line - it needed to be done.

So that is where my extra debt came in. All of my money went to bills - I had trouble saving anthing for a rainy day or for the kids college funds. Funny - not one latte or Infiniti in that.

When we had my son - my wife has come complications and didn't get back to work when she expected. So I took a 2nd job to get us through - I wasn't going to let LI beat me, right?

Well that temporary job turned into over 2.5 years. I came home from one job at 4:30pm and went to the 2nd at 6:00pm. It wasn't so bad when my son was a baby - but it really hurt when he started to understand I was leaving and he would cry and beg me to stay.

It was then I made the decision to leave. And it was that, a calulated decision after sitting down with my wife and poring over the options.

If that is running to NC with my tail between my legs then so be it.

So now it is almost 2007 - no 2nd job - my wife will work only if she chooses to after my daughter is born in March, lower house payments, lower taxes, lower insurance and to me, a higher quality of life then I could ever imagine in NY.

I don't hate LI or have any bad feelings towards it, I lived there my entire life until this year. It is obvious to me that you have some deep seeded animosity towards people who leave LI and you seem to delight in making in know that they are failures.

What happened to you in NY/LI to make you that way? Is it the taxes, or the housing prices, the commute - what?

I hope that someday you'll be able to see things from a prespective other then your narrow close minded one, but I know that isn't likely to occur.

Have fun continuing to bash everyone for leaving. I'll be the bigger man and wish you a Happy New Year, and leave it at that...

[KellyFG]

Originally Posted by Reggie4417

There's that compasion again! I can only speak for my family, but we are far from whiners. We lived an average life, our biggest splurge was a small 15x19pool for the backyard that I bought with my bonus 2 years ago.

To me, scrimping and saving will always be a part of my life. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother growing up and hearing the stories of her life during the depression provided me with an early respect for hard work and the importance of saving.

That is what made me so nuts about living on LI once we bought our own home. We bought a starter cape built in the late 50's. We got a good deal on the house - as it was well before the market took off. But thehouse needed work. We did as much of it as possible - but siding, windows and roofing are not in my range of experience - so we had to take a Home Improvement loan to pay for it. And I am not talking about renovations for the sake of making the house look better - I am talking about asbestos shingles and casement windows - and such high gas bills due to all of the leaks around the windows and doors. Bottom line - it needed to be done.

So that is where my extra debt came in. All of my money went to bills - I had trouble saving anthing for a rainy day or for the kids college funds. Funny - not one latte or Infiniti in that.

When we had my son - my wife has come complications and didn't get back to work when she expected. So I took a 2nd job to get us through - I wasn't going to let LI beat me, right?

Well that temporary job turned into over 2.5 years. I came home from one job at 4:30pm and went to the 2nd at 6:00pm. It wasn't so bad when my son was a baby - but it really hurt when he started to understand I was leaving and he would cry and beg me to stay.

It was then I made the decision to leave. And it was that, a calulated decision after sitting down with my wife and poring over the options.

If that is running to NC with my tail between my legs then so be it.

So now it is almost 2007 - no 2nd job - my wife will work only if she chooses to after my daughter is born in March, lower house payments, lower taxes, lower insurance and to me, a higher quality of life then I could ever imagine in NY.

I don't hate LI or have any bad feelings towards it, I lived there my entire life until this year. It is obvious to me that you have some deep seeded animosity towards people who leave LI and you seem to delight in making in know that they are failures.

What happened to you in NY/LI to make you that way? Is it the taxes, or the housing prices, the commute - what?

I hope that someday you'll be able to see things from a prespective other then your narrow close minded one, but I know that isn't likely to occur.

Have fun continuing to bash everyone for leaving. I'll be the bigger man and wish you a Happy New Year, and leave it at that...

I'm not bashing anyone for leaving( I know you weren't talking to me). I look at property in TN all the time, DH & I want LAND....we will never be able to afford the amount we want, if there is any left-here on LI.
I'm all for people going where ever they like for THEIR family and I know lots of people on LI don't over-spend & still struggle.
I'm just tired of people saying they can't do it here when they want live "like rock stars".
It sounds like you are living a nice life, I'm happy for you & wish you a prosperous new year.

[Reggie4417]

It sounds like you are making it work. More power to ya! It wasn't like I was walking around bashing LI, and I do miss certain things there, but I did what I had to do for my sanity and my family.

I hope you continue to do well on LI - it sounds like you have a good handle on your situation. Be well, and have a Happy New Year!

[Check123]

My "bashing" does not apply to everyone. It applies only to those who chose the fancy car over investing in their 401K... and other such decisions.

At an early age I was told "Nobody owes you a living." Apparently nobody told most of the posters(whiners) on this board.

Good luck in NC.