Moving to Long Island (New York, York: transplants, home, taxes)

[antipode12]

I think (hope) there is some exaggeration for effect going on here.

What's really driving frustrations on LI is that in the last 5 years, home prices have risen 90%. (Look it up.) My salary sure hasn't. And that is the real problem: double the expense, but haven't doubled the salaries.

So, if you already "bought in" you have a decent house and some sweet equity already. Otherwise, you're really looking in from the outside.

Your "LI starter" in 1999 was (if you, as you called it, drop "the bells and whistles" -- for many of us, that means hunting in the educationally unsound, crime-ridden neighborhoods) $175,000 - 225,000. Today, the same place is $375,000 - 425,000. Again, look it up.

I have so many colleagues who are 5 - 7 years older than me (and bought then) who nearly feel guilty about how so many of us got priced out.

Originally Posted by fopt65

Not sure where you're getting your figures from, but I can assure you that an average middle class Long Islander doesn't net or spend as much as you claim. Decent houses can still be purchased, albeit without the bells and whistles that you could get for the same price in a different, upcoming area. Just remember that a popular, upcoming area equals an explosion in property tax rate in the future as schools and roads need to be built, people added to the payrolls of the local goverment etc.
I don't know why you seem so focused on what a "hedonistic" world Long Island is. Sure, you have areas like the Hamptons, and the Gold Coast, but don't worry, NONE of us will have have to worry about living there. The vast majority of Long Island, and outer boroughs of NYC are still primarily filled with hard working people who are sacrificing to remain in the area.

[mmdj43]

Originally Posted by antipode12

I think (hope) there is some exaggeration for effect going on here.

What's really driving frustrations on LI is that in the last 5 years, home prices have risen 90%. (Look it up.) My salary sure hasn't. And that is the real problem: double the expense, but haven't doubled the salaries.

So, if you already "bought in" you have a decent house and some sweet equity already. Otherwise, you're really looking in from the outside.

Your "LI starter" in 1999 was (if you, as you called it, drop "the bells and whistles" -- for many of us, that means hunting in the educationally unsound, crime-ridden neighborhoods) $175,000 - 225,000. Today, the same place is $375,000 - 425,000. Again, look it up.

I have so many colleagues who are 5 - 7 years older than me (and bought then) who nearly feel guilty about how so many of us got priced out.

This is true. I think the major dilema us Long Islanders face is if we pulled equity from the home. That's a major drawback and a disappointment when people sell their homes only to find out that with their mortgage and extras deducted from the sale, people are not left with much. But, it is sad that Long Island is not as affordable as it used to be. For a 500k home, people would have to put down a lot just to keep their payments low. Sad, but true.

[SmileLeyz]

Originally Posted by NickL28

Most are moving away. Taxes, insurance & home prices are outrageously high. You need to make close to $200,000 a year to survive & to qualify to buy a home.

Great Neck or the North Shore (north or LIE) is really the best. Everything else is trashy.

You won't find a decent starter home for less than $500,000.

Annual taxes are 1.25% - 1.5% of purchase ..

Everything centers around the mall and the consumerist attitude more so than in the rest of the country.

kids in their 30's live at home until they inherit their parents house so they can shop for designer clothes & drive BMW's while living rent free.

Hi, i am sorry to bother You. But, im just a little irritated by what you wrote "TRASHY". Please, don't throw stones. There are alot of Towns, places that people are living @ Home.I don't agree w/ Kids but, The prices are higher now.I live a lone,Thank God but, If i could share a place w/ Someone? Then its better for expenses. I used to live in NJ. It was nice while it lasted. NH is better for Me. Thanks for taking a little crap from me. I dont mean to be disrespectful/rude. "I apologize", I am a nice person, I just got offended when i read your post. I hope to talk to you someday. Take Care-

[GypsySoul22]

Let me put it this way, since Smile is not from here...If you are from Great Neck and can afford to live there, you aren't concerned about cost.

The North Shore is OVER-rated. There are some nice places on the South Shore. (Sayville, for example).

I say it again, Long Island is a wonderful place if you have money! You can boat, swim, fish, go to the City in a few minutes/to a few hours/hang out at the Hamptons (someone wants to?), and enjoy 'relatively' nice schools if you have the money to stay in your segregated areas.

You can keep up with your neighbors who have a built in pool, a Hummer, a boat, a jetski, a bi yearly vacation to their condo for 2 weeks in Florida (about all Long Islander's dream of...Florida vacations at Disney). Or you can talk about your cruise you went on to impress your friends so they can't top you.

You can have your cookouts where you invite everyone and 'put on the dog' and hope your neighbors don't do it better than you when it's their turn. You can spend your days like some desperate housewife at the salon running down so and so because she doesn't buy $100 designer sneakers like you do!

So what if JOEY or PAT have to work second jobs? You gotta live to impress, baby.

Again, there are nice people here. Normal NON 'trashy' people but we are being squeezed out.

Smile--hope to see you up north really soon. I am into the 'simple life' and will be better off up there!

[sqwrell]

Originally Posted by COgirl

My husband was just transferred to New York, and we are planning on living on Long Island. I am a teacher, and have 3 small kids. I have only been to New York City three times on vacation about a million years ago! Can anyone out there give me information I should know? Where are good towns to live in? Where are the good schools? Will I be able to find a job as a teacher? (I have 10 years experience) What is the culture of Long Island? I have heard there are "stereotypes", but don't know what that means. Please - anything anyone knows about Long Island will be helpful as we move cross-country. Thanks!

massapequa is nice - - bring lots of money if you want to buy a house

regards,
removed

[CollateralEvidence]

I've been upstate, in the city and on LI many times, but I don't know Glen Cove. I'm moving in with an acquaintance. Is this a nice area? What might I expect? I'm presently in the midwest so this is a big move. Thanks in advance.

[mmdj43]

Originally Posted by CollateralEvidence

I've been upstate, in the city and on LI many times, but I don't know Glen Cove. I'm moving in with an acquaintance. Is this a nice area? What might I expect? I'm presently in the midwest so this is a big move. Thanks in advance.

I'm not extremely familiar with Glen Cove but I do know that it's a very nice, and relatively expensive area. Plus it's not that close to the highway so you have to allow for driving time even after getting off the exit.

[antipode12]

Originally Posted by mmdj43

I'm not extremely familiar with Glen Cove but I do know that it's a very nice, and relatively expensive area. Plus it's not that close to the highway so you have to allow for driving time even after getting off the exit.

Glen Cove is interesting on LI. A mix of North Shore money (or at least close enough to it) and urban working class. It has a solid Central American population that adds to the flavor of the town but poses some complications for the schools.

It has a decent night life, a nice downtown (a rarity on LI) and seems to be growing. It's a city, one of the few on LI, so it is a little grittier than other towns, but not by much.

Seems to lean progressive, politically.

[Eva]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

You can keep up with your neighbors who have a built in pool, a Hummer, a boat, a jetski, a bi yearly vacation to their condo for 2 weeks in Florida (about all Long Islander's dream of...Florida vacations at Disney). Or you can talk about your cruise you went on to impress your friends so they can't top you.

You can have your cookouts where you invite everyone and 'put on the dog' and hope your neighbors don't do it better than you when it's their turn. You can spend your days like some desperate housewife at the salon running down so and so because she doesn't buy $100 designer sneakers like you do!

So what if JOEY or PAT have to work second jobs? You gotta live to impress, baby.

Again, there are nice people here. Normal NON 'trashy' people but we are being squeezed out.

Smile--hope to see you up north really soon. I am into the 'simple life' and will be better off up there!

LOL Gypsy...! I think I'll stay in Brooklyn, wait for my house to sell from a million and move up north too in a couple of years. I DON'T want to have to deal with this sh*t you mentioned.

READING THESE THREADS HAS BEEN AN ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE....TAKE CARE PEEPS.

[headendtech]

Hello,look In The Smiththown Area Great Schools Nice Area But You Have To Pay.