Syosset or Port Washington (Hempstead, Oyster Bay: houses, schools, restaurants)

[TFSM]

It's tough to get a feel for certain things here, as a lot of feedback is negative (I'd move to the moon after scanning most forums here), so I thought I'd just try and ask my direct question to get opinions. We're moving from east Queens and have narrowed our search to Port Washington or Syosset. We: me, wife, son (baby).

Most important: commute to city (for me), schools. We picked these two towns based on these things plus:
- walking to station (as I work too late to get a parking spot anywhere - this is non-negotiable, we do not look outside of walking distance)
- area that's in walking distance is livable and there are a few other things to walk to
- 700ish will get you something

Other random things:
Port Washington: more of a town, nice feel, hear mixed things, cuter houses but tend to be smaller in our price range, great train line
Syosset: simply excellent schools, area not quite as nice looking (even if it is as "nice" in general), train there but considerable more daily time (ugh), houses have more of a blah feel (to me, I'm not one for splits)

Both are nice towns, and right now we could get more in Syosset, but it's just so far. The trains are packed on both lines, but recently having taken both a few times it seems the Syosset/PJ line is packed even worse than the PW line.

Has anyone made a similar decision? Where'd you wind up? Are you happy with your decision?

[Port North]

Go with Port. You should have no problem finding something nice for 700K within walking distance of the station. You have the water and great restuarants all within walking distance on Main Street. The excellent Library and Parent Resource Center are a big plus if you have kids. Since the LIRR line starts in Port you will be guaranteed a seat on the LIRR in the morning.

Go with Port it's a no brainer!

[Peter B]

I wholeheartedly agree. Port Washington is a commuting dream plus almost everything is right there. They have an Uncle Giuseppe's food market. That alone is reason enough You can walk to town, walk down to the water. Lot's of good restaurants! Best of luck

Originally Posted by Port North

Go with Port. You should have no problem finding something nice for 700K within walking distance of the station. You have the water and great restuarants all within walking distance on Main Street. The excellent Library and Parent Resource Center are a big plus if you have kids. Since the LIRR line starts in Port you will be guaranteed a seat on the LIRR in the morning.

Go with Port it's a no brainer!

[sean sean sean sean]

Sounds like you'd be way happier with Port Washington, I'd pick it over Syosset too.

[tomtatti]

For 700k, you can get something decent in Roslyn Heights within walking distance of the train. The train frequency sucks - nowhere near as frequent as Port. But the schools are great and the homes have a similar charm like Port.

[sassieskier]

I'd go with Port. You can get a nice house there for that budget.

[HomeFinder15]

TFSM-
Either way you choose, there are homes in both areas within walking distance of the LIRR. Took a quick look and there are 10 in Syosset and 9 in Port that are in your price range, just depends on what style home you prefer (and that is just on MLS). Keep in mind that the Port line of the LIRR does not run through Jamaica and is its own line. This makes it a quick and direct commute into Penn, but does not offer options such as changing at Jamaica (as one might do to get to Flatbush for the subway to downtown).

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by HomeFinder15

TFSM-
Either way you choose, there are homes in both areas within walking distance of the LIRR. Took a quick look and there are 10 in Syosset and 9 in Port that are in your price range, just depends on what style home you prefer (and that is just on MLS). Keep in mind that the Port line of the LIRR does not run through Jamaica and is its own line. This makes it a quick and direct commute into Penn, but does not offer options such as changing at Jamaica (as one might do to get to Flatbush for the subway to downtown).

Not being able to get to Flatbush Ave from the Port Wash line really only matters if your working in Brooklyn. It may take an extra few minutes to get to some areas of Downtown from Penn than Flatbush, but that is more than made up for by not going through Jamaica.

[Elke Mariotti]

I know both towns well, and based on your preferences and added comments , it sounds like Port Washington would suit you better.

[Walter Greenspan]

TFSM, in case you are unfamiliar with the local geography:

What people refer to colloquially as "towns" are actually villages and hamlets, which are within actual towns; and, because villages and hamlets are referred to as "towns", then, many times, the error is compounded when actual towns are referred to as "townships".

For example, Port Washington is a hamlet in the Town of North Hempstead and Syosset is a hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay; and, in both cases, the ZIP Code postal zone that uses the community's name has a different border than the actual community.

Also, many colloquially refer to a "downtown business district" in a hamlet as a "village".

http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-y...-glossary.html and http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...-resource.html may be of some help to you in understanding the geography of "Lawn Guyland".

http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...you-think.html may help you understand the great geographic confusions caused by non-conforming ZIP Code postal zones.