North Bellmore--Opinions about the area (Merrick, Massapequa: low crime, house, buying)

[jimlisa1020]

I've recently been house hunting and noticed that there are some really nice housed in North Bellmore. The thing that I've noticed while hunting is that usually when there is a house that is really nice and in our price range ($600,000-700,000) it's usually in a less desirable area. We've recently been looking in Massapequa but $600-700 doesn't come close to buying the kind of house that we want....but we've seen some in N. Bellmore in that price range. School's are also a factor for us as we have a 4 month old. Please....any info/opinions you could provide about N. Bellmore would be greatly appreciated.

[Wes927]

I know many who live in North Merrick. Bellmore is widely known to be a one socioeconomic step down. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.

The area is working class, but successful working class. It is also very safe: like most non-ghetto areas of Nassau County.

The schools are very good without the problem of the "population of spoiled brats" at Kennedy High School in welathier South Merrick.

Mostly the high school is Mepham High School.

[Chrisk327]

I won't get into a debate on "working class" vs middle class vs upper middle.

However, North bellmroe is a very good middle class area. Has some more run down areas, and nice areas.

I wouldn't say that it is a less desireable area. Also I take exception to massapequa being "better" than bellmore. I would say Massapequa is on par with bellmore if not a step lower on the school district ladder, again depends on the district.

You could say that shore communities of massapeqa is nicer than bellmore in general, but you could say that some parts of south bellmore are nicer than most of massapequa. I could agrue merrick woods, is better than wantagh, but then wantagh woods may be as nice as merrick woods.

I guess what I'm saying in a round about fashon, is that N. Bellmore is a decent town. I grew up there. However like most, there are places areas that you would say are less desirable, whether it be proximity to businesses, run down streets, main roads etc.

I would also check out Merrick and Wantagh, both well respected maybe slightly nicer than N.Bellmore, but 600K still gets you a nice house.

[peabodyn]

I live in North Bellmore and I have to tell you that it is one of the best communities on Long Island. The school system is great (#4). Especially Jacob Gunther elementary (K - 6), Grand Ave Middle School (7 & 8) and Mepham High School.

While North Merrick may have the "cachet" of the word Merrick, North Bellmore has large homes, low crime, great community services without the pretense of "Merrick".

I have to tell you - both South Merrick and South Bellmore have their share of "keeping up with the Jones'" attitude. The majority of the homes in South Merrick (especially along Clubhouse Road) are all the same high ranch identical home (3 tiny bedrooms upstairs, one bathroom upstairs and terrible closet space) in a terribly overpriced area.

My advice - keep looking in North Bellmore - especially North of the Southern State Parkway - you will find a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath in a good area for 600k (due to this market).

[KellyFG]

My DH had a home improvement business based in Nassau for many years. He renovated several homes in North Bellmore. The people were nice family people & the homes ranged a quite a bit in size & amenties.