does this exist? (Riverhead, Merrick, Massapequa: homeowners insurance, homes, neighborhoods)

[sean sean sean sean]

Originally Posted by making the best of it

We are relocating to LI this summer and are desperately seeking a location that will approximate what we are leaving, in order to ensure a good transition for our 5 kids. With that in mind, does this exist?

excellent smallish school district - our kids grade levels range from 1st to 9th and they currently receive speech and gifted services

nearby Catholic church

recreational sports programs such as soccer, baseball, softball, etc.

a community or development with beach rights - water view is a plus - in $600K range

decent proximity to children's hospital or other good medical services

Shopping in reasonable proximity (grocery, Target, Trader Joe's)

safe, family-friendly neighborhood with stay-home moms and kids to play with

We currently live in a kind of self-contained community, where everything we need is within a short drive so it's easy for me to shuttle the kids to all of their activities and appointments and that's what we're looking for. North shore is preferred, but south shore is OK too. We just don't know what's out there and need some suggestions on where to start.

Any help pointing us in the right direction is greatly appreciated!

I think the best fit might be Seaford, NY - in southeast Nassau County.

Excellent small S.D.? Check. Very small for Nassau, test scores are not mind blowing but most people consider this a very desirable district.

Nearby Catholic Church? Check, several. This part of LI is mainly Irish and Italian, you'll honestly find any kind of church you could need nearby but Roman Catholicism is predominant.

Recreational Sports Programs? Check....you're going to find tons of these activities anywhere you go on LI. There are large, well established baseball, football, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, etc. leagues for all ages and all skill levels.

Waterfront/waterview less than $600k? Check. Canals cut deep into the mainland in Seaford, probably something like 60-70% of the homes south of Merrick Road are waterfront. I think most homes in this area are actually significantly less than $600k. If you're on the South Shore, there are no real beaches on the bay - they are all on a barrier island a few miles south of it (Jones Island in Nassau/Western Suffolk and Fire Island further east) but there are small community beaches and parks on the waterfront in every community. From that part of Seaford, Jones Beach is about a 20 minute drive without traffic.

Proximity to Hospitals? Check. I think the closest is New Island Hospital in Plainedge, only about a ten minute drive up the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway. There might be one closer, there are private physicians offices scattered all over Merrick Road and in neighborhoods off of it.

Shopping nearby? Check. Closest mall is the Sunrise Mall in East Massapequa (ten minutes or less) but Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway also have most things you would ever need, and plenty of excellent restaurants/bars too. The movie theater in Seaford has really cheap matinee showings. There is even a little strip of stores right in the neighborhood south of Merrick Road, I forget what stores are there though.

Safe, family friendly neighborhood? Definite check. That neighborhood is one big dead end, there is hardly any traffic. You can let your kids run around and ride their bikes without worry. I always see a lot of kids out playing in the streets whenever I'm there. It also has it's own private access to Cedar Creek Park which has handball/basketball courts, baseball fields and a bike path to Jones Beach. There are some big hills in that park which are awesome for sledding in the winter time, tons of kids.

You can get to Manhattan by car in 60-90 minutes as long as traffic cooperates....less without any traffic, and you're still close to the middle of the island by having the terminus of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway right there. You can be most places in Suffolk very quick. There is also an LIRR station in Seaford, express trains get to Penn Station in around 50-55 minutes.

There is one big negative to this part of Seaford, however....and it totally has to do with taste: I think most of the newer homes are ugly as sin. Up until the late 1980s, this was really a sparsely developed area that resembled the fishing community it was 80 years prior. The expressway was originally supposed to cut right through it and meet up with the Wantagh Parkway, so there was virtually no development during the 60s-70s....I guess a lot of developers feared their new construction would just be torn down as many of the homes in the expressway's original path were. There are a lot of vinyl-sided high ranches, angular roof lines, concrete yards, etc. The older homes are all way too tiny for 5 kids, but much nicer (IMHO).

Also, go to MLSLI.com and enter ML# 2145676 - this is an interesting house I found looking quick. It's lakefront (dunno if that's OK) but very unlike most other homes I've seen on LI. I like the style, and it's a bargain at $530k....gotta love that indoor pool! Negatives: Massapequa is a large, crowded district and it's either right on or right near a main road. Property is huge, though.

[OhBeeHave]

One problem with Seaford and Massapequa that the OP mentioned -- OP's words, not mine -- cookie cutter houses. I grew up in Massapequa, have in-laws in Seaford. Some of the houses have been *cough* improved upon, but driving through some neighborhoods, you can still tell they are all came from the same split.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by sean sean sean sean

I think the best fit might be Seaford, NY - in southeast Nassau County.

Excellent small S.D.? Check. Very small for Nassau, test scores are not mind blowing but most people consider this a very desirable district.

FYI, as far as the SD is concerned, if you need special outside services, you have a fight on your hand to get what you're entitled to...

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by sean sean sean sean

I think the best fit might be Seaford, NY - in southeast Nassau County.

Excellent small S.D.? Check. Very small for Nassau, test scores are not mind blowing but most people consider this a very desirable district.

Nearby Catholic Church? Check, several. This part of LI is mainly Irish and Italian, you'll honestly find any kind of church you could need nearby but Roman Catholicism is predominant.

Recreational Sports Programs? Check....you're going to find tons of these activities anywhere you go on LI. There are large, well established baseball, football, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, etc. leagues for all ages and all skill levels.

Waterfront/waterview less than $600k? Check. Canals cut deep into the mainland in Seaford, probably something like 60-70% of the homes south of Merrick Road are waterfront. I think most homes in this area are actually significantly less than $600k. If you're on the South Shore, there are no real beaches on the bay - they are all on a barrier island a few miles south of it (Jones Island in Nassau/Western Suffolk and Fire Island further east) but there are small community beaches and parks on the waterfront in every community. From that part of Seaford, Jones Beach is about a 20 minute drive without traffic.

Proximity to Hospitals? Check. I think the closest is New Island Hospital in Plainedge, only about a ten minute drive up the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway. There might be one closer, there are private physicians offices scattered all over Merrick Road and in neighborhoods off of it.

Shopping nearby? Check. Closest mall is the Sunrise Mall in East Massapequa (ten minutes or less) but Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway also have most things you would ever need, and plenty of excellent restaurants/bars too. The movie theater in Seaford has really cheap matinee showings. There is even a little strip of stores right in the neighborhood south of Merrick Road, I forget what stores are there though.

Safe, family friendly neighborhood? Definite check. That neighborhood is one big dead end, there is hardly any traffic. You can let your kids run around and ride their bikes without worry. I always see a lot of kids out playing in the streets whenever I'm there. It also has it's own private access to Cedar Creek Park which has handball/basketball courts, baseball fields and a bike path to Jones Beach. There are some big hills in that park which are awesome for sledding in the winter time, tons of kids.

You can get to Manhattan by car in 60-90 minutes as long as traffic cooperates....less without any traffic, and you're still close to the middle of the island by having the terminus of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway right there. You can be most places in Suffolk very quick. There is also an LIRR station in Seaford, express trains get to Penn Station in around 50-55 minutes.

There is one big negative to this part of Seaford, however....and it totally has to do with taste: I think most of the newer homes are ugly as sin. Up until the late 1980s, this was really a sparsely developed area that resembled the fishing community it was 80 years prior. The expressway was originally supposed to cut right through it and meet up with the Wantagh Parkway, so there was virtually no development during the 60s-70s....I guess a lot of developers feared their new construction would just be torn down as many of the homes in the expressway's original path were. There are a lot of vinyl-sided high ranches, angular roof lines, concrete yards, etc. The older homes are all way too tiny for 5 kids, but much nicer (IMHO).

Also, go to MLSLI.com and enter ML# 2145676 - this is an interesting house I found looking quick. It's lakefront (dunno if that's OK) but very unlike most other homes I've seen on LI. I like the style, and it's a bargain at $530k....gotta love that indoor pool! Negatives: Massapequa is a large, crowded district and it's either right on or right near a main road. Property is huge, though.

All I kept thinking was Sayville. Small S.D., large catholic community, the beaches and Fire Island. I am curious as to why water view is key. Give me 600k to buy something in around the village of St. James, or Fort Salonga (both north shore) and I'd be very happy, although not in view of the water. I wonder if the poster realizes that even if you are mid-island you are only so far from the beach...this island is skinny .

I am biased to the Town of Smithtown beaches because they are closed to just town residents, and they offer everything from wind-surfing classes to jet ski launches. For me it is a 4.6 mile drive to the beaches we frequent. But that is also the sound and Harbor, not anything like the ocean. Might bore your older children. "Real" beaches, as my wife and I call it, would mean Sayville, south shore, Babylon Village, etc. I strongly encourage them to take a visit. Best of luck in your move...

[OhBeeHave]

MLSLI.com – Long Island Real Estate – Find A Home in Nassau, Suffolk & Queens ML#: 2118513

Setauket -- waterview $440K - $450K taxes

"One Of A Kind 1873 Village Oldie, Waterviews From 2nd Floor, Walk To The Water, Super Low Taxes W/Star $2,505.41 Great Back Yard W/ Room For Expansions"

3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. If it had a garage, I would be looking at it tomorrow.

[OhBeeHave]

$529K, taxes $15K - walk to the Setauket Mill Pond, the Library, the little post office, and Setauket Elementary school.
Victorian, Detached, # Families: 1
8.0 rooms, 4 Bedrooms , 2 Full Baths , 1 Half Baths

School District: Three Village
Year Built: 1820
Construction: Frame
Lot Size: 1.25
Appearance: Excellent

ml#2123942

[OhBeeHave]

Here's a nice one in Strongs Neck:
Sprawling Ranch Located In Strongs Neck With Winter Waterviews. This Updated Home Features New Granite Eik W/Cherry Cabinetry,New Sunroom W/Waterviews,New Marble Bath,Hardwood Floors,New Siding & Windows,New Cac,New Burner,New Front Door,New Pool Liner,4 Yrs Old Roof. Beach&Deep Water Mooring Rights,.76 Acres.Taxes W/Star $14,638.44.As Per Mark Lewis Home Assessed@705,714.

$549K - $589K 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
ml#2105957

[sean sean sean sean]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

One problem with Seaford and Massapequa that the OP mentioned -- OP's words, not mine -- cookie cutter houses. I grew up in Massapequa, have in-laws in Seaford. Some of the houses have been *cough* improved upon, but driving through some neighborhoods, you can still tell they are all came from the same split.

Seaford by the water isn't really "cookie cutter" but a lot of homes got beat with the ugly stick, IMO...like I said in my first post. I love that blue house you linked to in Setauket!! That's more my style!!

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

All I kept thinking was Sayville. Small S.D., large catholic community, the beaches and Fire Island. I am curious as to why water view is key. Give me 600k to buy something in around the village of St. James, or Fort Salonga (both north shore) and I'd be very happy, although not in view of the water. I wonder if the poster realizes that even if you are mid-island you are only so far from the beach...this island is skinny .

I am biased to the Town of Smithtown beaches because they are closed to just town residents, and they offer everything from wind-surfing classes to jet ski launches. For me it is a 4.6 mile drive to the beaches we frequent. But that is also the sound and Harbor, not anything like the ocean. Might bore your older children. "Real" beaches, as my wife and I call it, would mean Sayville, south shore, Babylon Village, etc. I strongly encourage them to take a visit. Best of luck in your move...

I love Sayville, I'd move there in a heartbeat.

[OhBeeHave]

SeanX4 -- let's say that they got beat with the same ugly stick. Many are one on top the other.

We have some similar tastes -- I think the blue house is adorable.

One of the things I really love about my area is that for the most part, many of the oldies have been lovingly added to. There is the occasional 'Stony Brooklyn' special, but they are far and few between.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

One problem with Seaford and Massapequa that the OP mentioned -- OP's words, not mine -- cookie cutter houses. I grew up in Massapequa, have in-laws in Seaford. Some of the houses have been *cough* improved upon, but driving through some neighborhoods, you can still tell they are all came from the same split.

I think its the case in some areas, but as far as Massapequa goes I would say it isn't the case south of Merrick Road. Some areas in Massapequa you do have some homes with beach club rights, most of which will be outside the price range, but saw one online for $575,000 to the Jomarr beach club Assoc.