Is Mastic/Mastic Beach that bad, home prices so amazingly low?? (Brookhaven: violent crime, house)

[littlepawsinn]

I've been looking at MLS because we are searching for a home in LI and of course we are looking at all our options. I've seen huge 8 bedroom homes in beautiful condition with finished basements and that one can probably get for 299K. How bad is Mastic really? Is it worth dealing with the area if it means getting a huge home near the Railroad. Also, how far is Mastic area from NYC by train? Anyone know? Thanks.

[llama8]

I don't know much about Mastic because it is out in Suffolk, but from what I have seen on posts, it doesn't look like too good an area. People have complained about drugs, bad schools, and run down properties. I really can't say, but if you search this site for past topic threads about Mastic/Shirley, that could help.

[raiser]

Last Roy Rodgers on LI. Only reason why id get off that exit.

[sickofnyc99]

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!AND EAT YOUR YOUNG!!!!!!!!!! Well, not really. I grew up there, I managed to escape unscathed. I'd stay away from the RR tracks especially on the south west side. I lived further down the Wm. Floyd in a potentially worse neighborhood. I graduated HS. Haven't been the victim or perpetrator of any violent crime. I don't have an IV drug problem. I've failed to knock up any teenage girls. I even have a job ON THE BOOKS!!!! Anyway what I'm trying to say is that many people on this site will slam an area but have never lived there. You raise your kids right and you'll have no problems, regardless of area.

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by littlepawsinn

I've been looking at MLS because we are searching for a home in LI and of course we are looking at all our options. I've seen huge 8 bedroom homes in beautiful condition with finished basements and that one can probably get for 299K. How bad is Mastic really? Is it worth dealing with the area if it means getting a huge home near the Railroad. Also, how far is Mastic area from NYC by train? Anyone know? Thanks.

I'll defer to the other threads and remarks of residents regarding the location, but as far as the commute goes..VERY LONG into the city. You are looking at 2+ hours door to door.

[lialleycat]

I wouldn't live there. I wouldn't really want to be that close the Brookhaven National Laboratory and the area does have some crime issues. To me the lower prices just don't make up for those two negatives and I'd be happier somewhere else

[rocafeller05]

Most people that knock it have never lived there. Its def. not the nicest place on LI. But its no East NY! My coworker lives in Shirley, on the border of Mastic Beach for 35 years now. He personally has never had a problem. And he raised his son throught the William Floyd school system. Take it for what you will. All the schools use the same text books...but the student has to do the work and put in the time!

[sickofnyc99]

Agreed Roc, people LOVE to tear it down.

[TomMoser]

I have been around many of the different areas of Shirley, Mastic, and Mastic Beach. I can definately tell you that there are some very nice areas of these towns where I think that the housing stock is a real bargain. Unfortunately, there are also a few areas in which the homes are not well kept and that look a little seedy. I think that you can get a good deal there because the bad areas have dragged down the reputation of the whole.

[MikesWife115]

My brother and his wife bought a house for a great price in Mastic Beach (with three school age daughters), and have been living there for a few years now. Their house itself is nice, but it varies so wildly block by block, sometimes even house by house. A lot of them are beyond rundown, almost in slum condition. And certain whole blocks just a block or two away from them are that way. As far as schools, a mixed bag. So far my neices have only experienced elementary school, but my sister in law has said there is an extremely disturbing lack of parental involvement, and a lot of the kids are rough around the edges (not "bad seeds", but the language, dress, etc are often inappropriate). My brother's not thrilled with the area, but is at least satisfied that he found a nice house that he could actually afford!