Thinking of moving to Long Island... (Rockville Centre, Garden City: best towns, houses, school districts)

[lmd44]

What would you say are the best towns with a easy NYC commute, great schools, good shopping and restaurants. I am looking at homes in the 900K range. Thanks!!!

[TomMoser]

I would check out Garden City.

[Arron]

commute from Manhasset is a piece of cake, and has the requirements you are looking for.

[I have a voice]

Garden City or Manhasset are 2 excellent and logical choices... my preference would be with Garden City... a little bit more centrally located on the Island so you will be close to everything.

[Elke Mariotti]

Port Washington is great too, just a little far from major highways if that's important to you.

[SamTheCatRocks]

Rockville Centre. 35 minutes to Manhattan on an express train. Tons of great restaurants and shops with a wonderful community feel and great schools.

Good luck!

[zinn]

If commute is the most important thing, the Great Neck/Manhasset/Port Washington/Plandome line can't be beat. Between 25-30 minutes direct into Penn Station without having to stop at Jamaica. School districts are all excellent, though there is the "keeping up with the Joneses" pressures. Most people living in Roslyn use that train station as well (also excellent schools in that district). I agree that Port Washington is a bit far from the major highways, but you have the added plus of being close to the water. Houses there are on the older side as well. Manhasset and Roslyn both have lovely "downtown" areas; Port Washington has restaurants near/on the water.

Garden City is another beautiful area. Merillon train station gives you about a 35 minute commute with a stop in Jamaica. Also with great schools, and the pressures mentioned above. Manhasset Hills (Herricks school district which is considered to be very good/excellent depending on who you talk with) may get you a little more money for the house, but is further from the train station and doesn't have the downtown that Garden City does.

You can find houses in your price range in all of the above, though they be smaller/need more work then you are willing to do. Taxes are on the high side.

Having done both the commute from the Merrillon (garden city/manhasset hills) and the Port Washington line, I much prefer the PW line. JMO though.

[Kathealy]

Garden City is great but I agree with the above about Rockville Centre. I have lived here most of my life and commuting into NYC for 20 years. The train line is great and very reliable. There is a ton to do here and the village pride is enormous! The town itself is rather small -- and for exercise, I walk from the very south of town to the north and back; the town lends itself to walking -- which is great.

Indeed the restaurants are incredible and many compare to NYC eateries. The town itself is not raught with chain stores -- rather boutiques and small businesses dominate and lend charm.

You would get a lot at your price point here.

[lindaleon]

I love all three areas - but perhaps if being near the water would be on your list also - Port Washington would move to your number one choise. The worst thing about Port is the parking in the morning for the LIRR. There's a lot of congestion. Garden City and RVC are great towns - and I would live in either one if I could ever get my husband to move!!

But how about Douglaston. OK, it's Queens - but the houses there are gorgeous - many are near or on the water...it's close to the Nassau border...there are great restaurants in town - and on Northern Blvd...and the taxes are low. It's a 20 minute commute to NYC. Just a thought!

Linda Marie

[Kbinspections]

Garden city, Mahasset and RVC would be the areas I would check out.....best of luck!