Where are some nice places to live on Long Island? (New York: houses, neighborhoods)

[STrapani1105]

I've also been looking in Queens, and may expand my search down to Brooklyn. What are some nice places on Long Island? I'm looking for a nice, typical long island town. Diversity is nice, I like a nice large mixture of different cultures. I am partial to my own culture though, I'm an Italian-American, and Long Island has tons of them. The closer to the city, the better. If I have to move into a homogeneous (not diverse) area, I wouldn't want to be the "black sheep", if you will. I'm not a racist, I just don't want to be the only white family on the block, kinda like Howard Stern growing up in Roosevelt.

I've gotten some suggestions already, here's a few:

Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Oceanside, the Massapequas

[AlexisT]

What's your budget and commute?

[Jay813629]

Lattingtown...Muttontown...Old Brookville...Kings Point...etc etc

[STrapani1105]

well the move is not a definite, I'm just interested in places incase I ever decide to leave Jersey. i looked Muttontown, I don't think I saw a house that was less than a million dollars. def out of my budget. I'd have to set the mark at 700k, if such places even exist on Long Island. you can get a decently sized home out here where I am for that price. 3-4 bedrooms. I'm not sure if it's any different out there on Long Island. and like I said before, closer to the city, the better in terms of commute. Valley Stream borders Queens, I think. Lynwood is also nearby there.

[AlexisT]

OK, at 700K, you've got a lot of choices. The ritzy areas Jay mentioned are out, but you can get something nice. I'd skip VS and Lynbrook with that budget. If you like the South Shore, tons of choices--you could buy in Rockville Centre on that budget, which is very nice, good commute, own power plant. It's got a varied housing stock, great schools, lots of restaurants, and a big Catholic population. Oceanside is also in your price range. Further out, Merrick and Massapequa. But if commute matters I'd probably buy something a little smaller in RVC.

Most of the North Shore that's in good commuting distance will be out of your price range. Someone else might be able to chime in on west-central Nassau--I don't know enough about what's nice and what's just OK.

Outside of a few areas, you'll find plenty of other Italian Americans so that shouldn't be an issue.

[STrapani1105]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

OK, at 700K, you've got a lot of choices. The ritzy areas Jay mentioned are out, but you can get something nice. I'd skip VS and Lynbrook with that budget. If you like the South Shore, tons of choices--you could buy in Rockville Centre on that budget, which is very nice, good commute, own power plant. It's got a varied housing stock, great schools, lots of restaurants, and a big Catholic population. Oceanside is also in your price range. Further out, Merrick and Massapequa. But if commute matters I'd probably buy something a little smaller in RVC.

Most of the North Shore that's in good commuting distance will be out of your price range. Someone else might be able to chime in on west-central Nassau--I don't know enough about what's nice and what's just OK.

Outside of a few areas, you'll find plenty of other Italian Americans so that shouldn't be an issue.

thanks. helpful post. I'm guessing the Southshore is a bit more working/middle class people and the Northshore is the nice, affluent area. am i correct?

[AlexisT]

Not exactly. The South Shore is still middle to upper middle class in the areas I listed. It's just not quite as wealthy as the North Shore, or as pretty--the South Shore is pretty much dead flat while the North Shore is slightly hilly (still fairly flat by much of NJ standards). Houses and lots tend to be smaller and density is higher. However, you're right by the beach and some houses (not in RVC but in Oceanside, Merrick, Massapequa) even back directly onto the canals so you can dock your boat.

[STrapani1105]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

Not exactly. The South Shore is still middle to upper middle class in the areas I listed. It's just not quite as wealthy as the North Shore, or as pretty--the South Shore is pretty much dead flat while the North Shore is slightly hilly (still fairly flat by much of NJ standards). Houses and lots tend to be smaller and density is higher. However, you're right by the beach and some houses (not in RVC but in Oceanside, Merrick, Massapequa) even back directly onto the canals so you can dock your boat.

awesome, too bad I don't own a boat. do you need a boating license in New York? you do in Jersey, but in some states you don't, like Massachusetts

[Dodgers12]

Originally Posted by STrapani1105

well the move is not a definite, I'm just interested in places incase I ever decide to leave Jersey. i looked Muttontown, I don't think I saw a house that was less than a million dollars. def out of my budget. I'd have to set the mark at 700k, if such places even exist on Long Island. you can get a decently sized home out here where I am for that price. 3-4 bedrooms. I'm not sure if it's any different out there on Long Island. and like I said before, closer to the city, the better in terms of commute. Valley Stream borders Queens, I think. Lynwood is also nearby there.

There are plenty of places on Long Island where you can find a home for $700,000. With the bad economy, there are some real bargains. There are many neighborhoods that fit the criteria. If you buy in Valley Stream, try to stay in South Valley Stream. South Valley Stream is the most diverse out of these neighborhoods. Lynbrook and Oceanside are nice and have good schools. There is some diversity, the main minority are Hispanics. Massapequa is not very diverse at all and farther from the city than the other three options. However, there properties are larger and the schools are good. North Massapequa is more middle class and diverse.

Out of the those, I would say Valley Stream (preferably South: good school district) is the best. It is diverse, has a large Italian community and is closest to New York City of the options mentioned. Lynbrook also meets the criteria, but not as well as Valley Stream. You should also look into Rockville Centre. Rockville Centre has very good school district and is very close to the city. It is also diverse.

[PizzaPedro]

If you were considering North Shore the Huntington area is nice and would meet a lot of your needs and the commute isn't horrible. If schools are a factor, look into Harborfields or Elwood.