Is Baldwin, NY A Safe Neighborhood - Thinking of Buying a Home? (New York: car insurance, schools)

[nygirl2517]

So many co-ops don't accept cats.... I have exhausted my search in RVC Lynbrook and East Rockaway. I really prefer those towns but I can't get rid of my cat. And I need to stay close to the train because I work in the city...

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by nygirl2517

So many co-ops don't accept cats.... I have exhausted my search in RVC Lynbrook and East Rockaway. I really prefer those towns but I can't get rid of my cat. And I need to stay close to the train because I work in the city...

That's ridiculous! I don't blame you. Once a long time ago we were looking for a rental and we had a cat. We went to a real estate agent and he said, "Does the cat have to come with you?" I answered, "YES! She can't afford the rent in our current apartment by herself!"

Have you looked in the Gibson section of Valley Stream? There are some nice buildings there that are walk LIRR.

[LIgirl74]

Originally Posted by nygirl2517

LIgirl74-
We probably are talking about the same co-op. I am supposed to sign a contract but I have driven through there several times at night, and it is iffy. I am SO disappointed, it is such an amazing deal and I am struggling with the idea of letting it go. I have asked a lot of people in the area what they think of the neighborhood, and everyone just shrugs and says "it depends." NOT very encouraging lol! It will break my heart to let this one go, it seems all I can afford otherwise on LI as a single person is a small studio.

I totally understand how you feel. My husband and I loved the place and the development. Honestly, if I were you, I would not buy in that area. I know it's hard to let it go but trust me, there will be others out there. Are you looking just on the south shore? I live in Farmingdale and there are a lot of co-ops and also, not sure how much you are looking to spend, there are a few condo's for sale in my development, including mine that range from $255k to $289k. My development accepts cats so you would not have to worry there. Also, our maintenance fee is cheap, it's $161. This is why my husband and I ended up not buying in Baldwin. It's just a really iffy area and Farmingdale is not questionable like Baldwin. Like I said, not sure of your price range but there are lots of co-ops for sale in my area and I believe some of the developments allow cats. I have 3 cats and I would NEVER let anyone talk me out of not taking them with me. They are my family. If you need any more info on Farmingdale, let me know. I honestly, would not sign the contract as Baldwin is only getting worse and you don't want to be stuck in a bad area years down the road.

ETA: I saw you stated that you need to be near the train. My condo complex and a few co-op buildings in Farmingdale are in walking distance to the train.

[nygirl2517]

Thank you guys so much, people are starting to make me feel nuts because I won't consider giving up my cat! A few brokers even said I should just lie about it. I did a little research, and found out several of the co-ops that i was told it was ok to lie to, have actually evicted several owners for it. I called the broker and asked them how they could even bring me to a place that they knew didn't accept cats.... and AFTER I fell in love with the place tell me "PS don't tell anyone you have a cat".

I didn't sign the contract in Baldwin. And as far as I hear, someone else jumped on it pretty quick. I admit I am heartbroken.

I did look into Gibson, and the ones I saw didn't allow cats either. I have not checked out Farmingdale yet. I will do some scouting this weekend. Walking distance to the train is excellent! One of the things that bummed me about Baldwin was that it was exactly a 7 minute walk to the train, but, I would've had to drive to the station anyway, because I sometimes get stuck at work very late. SO I would have to end up paying $125 bucks a month for a parking space!

This is my first place... I can't believe how exhausting this whole process is! It is emotionally and physically draining.

[LIgirl74]

Originally Posted by nygirl2517

Thank you guys so much, people are starting to make me feel nuts because I won't consider giving up my cat! A few brokers even said I should just lie about it. I did a little research, and found out several of the co-ops that i was told it was ok to lie to, have actually evicted several owners for it. I called the broker and asked them how they could even bring me to a place that they knew didn't accept cats.... and AFTER I fell in love with the place tell me "PS don't tell anyone you have a cat".

I didn't sign the contract in Baldwin. And as far as I hear, someone else jumped on it pretty quick. I admit I am heartbroken.

I did look into Gibson, and the ones I saw didn't allow cats either. I have not checked out Farmingdale yet. I will do some scouting this weekend. Walking distance to the train is excellent! One of the things that bummed me about Baldwin was that it was exactly a 7 minute walk to the train, but, I would've had to drive to the station anyway, because I sometimes get stuck at work very late. SO I would have to end up paying $125 bucks a month for a parking space!

This is my first place... I can't believe how exhausting this whole process is! It is emotionally and physically draining.

No, you are not nuts at all for caring about your kitty. I can't believe they wanted you to lie! I think when we were house hunting, one realtor told me the same thing. I would never do that as you could be evicted as what happend with those people.

I know you loved the place but...remember, this is condo/co-op will be an investment (so they say) for your future. I know you feel bad but you will find something else you like out there and that takes cats.

I have news for you, like I said, not sure how much you want to spend..my complex is located right near the train. My husband used to leave the house 5 minutes prior to the train he had to catch. We are priced in the mid $200's. Also, I think there is a co-op development located right near the train too...not sure if they take cats too. BUT in general, there are a lot of co-ops in Farmingdale.. Good luck with your search and I am glad to hear you didn't sign the contract for Baldwin. If I could be of any furhter help to you, let me know.

[ginovino]

Originally Posted by I_Love_LI_but

You clearly don't know as much as you think you do. South Hempstead is and has been a small mostly white enclave full of city police officers, firefighters, etc., and the children of the residents mainly go to Rockville Centre schools. school district.

In and of itself, I get the sense that you are a person of color and are defending the PC stance espoused by many, of the plight of the American born black population. That is your right, and which my prior military service insures you to will continue to express.

As for South Hempstead (the Baldwin portion) being a "white Enclave", please provide me with the source of the peyote you're smoking.

South Hempstead begins from the west side of Grand Avenue at Weber Ave. and South of the Parkway. Have you spent anytime driving into the Coes Neck park area? or, across DeMott east to west? Or from Carl Ave to Centennial Ave? You cannot see a significant cosmetic difference between it and Hempstead to the North.

The areas noted are either in various stages of disrepair or on the verge of becoming so. Home values in this area are substantially below the rest of Baldwin and Baldwin Harbor.

Proportionately, Staten Island has the largest percentage of Fire and Police folks residing and their homes show it, unlike the "bungalows" you refer to.

Simply stated and unafraid to be labeled, Beautiful Baldwin is no longer. Its beauty is diminishing to all who experienced its past. To the "newcomers" of color or otherwise, it is a marked improvement from their prior existance. Though they too will suffer inevitably from the blight that they bring when their brethren follow uninvited or otherwise behind them.

Lets be honest here and stop the PC Lets call it as it is.
Label me as you wish, if you need to. Though labels don't change the facts as they are.

[Walter Greenspan]

Everyone should be aware that South Hempstead is one of those many villages and hamlet on Long Island where none of the places in the community have the hamlet name in their mailing address.


For those who may not be familiar with South Hempstead:

South Hempstead is a hamlet (an unincorporated area) in the central section of the Town of Hempstead, in the southwest part of Nassau County.

Beginning on the north and moving in a clockwise direction, the Hamlet of South Hempstead in the Town of Hempstead is bordered on the north by the Village of Hempstead; on the east by the Hamlet of Baldwin; on the south and west by the Village of Rockville Centre.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/South-hempstead-ny-map.gif (broken link)


South Hempstead is one of those many villages and hamlet on Long Island where none of the places in the community have the hamlet name in their mailing address: places in the Hamlet of South Hempstead have a "Hempstead, NY 11550", "Rockville Centre, NY 11570" and "Baldwin, NY 11510" mailing address.


For a good set of town-by-town maps showing all the villages and hamlets in each of LI's 13 towns (3 in Nassau County and 10 in Suffolk County): Excellent Long Island Geographic Resource

[bnyy]

South Hempstead is mostly white, and the median income is $78,000. Sorry gino.

There is no way that Valley Stream is safer than Baldwin, so I wouldn't look at a condo there if I were you.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by bnyy

There is no way that Valley Stream is safer than Baldwin, so I wouldn't look at a condo there if I were you.

And on what actual facts are you basing your negative judgment of Valley Stream vs. Baldwin on? I am here to tell you that I live in Valley Stream and I find it very safe at all hours. I walk my dog at 2 or 3am whenever I please. My neighborhood is very quiet. There is nothing to be afraid of here.

[I_Love_LI_but]

I think you've been drinking too much of the vino, pal. Sorry, but I have no peyote to share with you.

I have blue eyes.

I personally know the children of cops and firefighters from South Hempstead.

I do not consider Staten Island to be the be all and end all of nice homes to be envied by anyone on Long Island.

Food for thought: Maybe you get a bigger home on SI than on LI because the land is cheaper as SI used to be a garbage dump?

At any rate, my observations of LI are based on facts.

Thank you for your military service.