what would YOU Do? (Babylon, Rockville Centre: house, to buy, school districts)

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Actually there are several house movers on Long Island -- never say never

www.dawnhousemovers.com
www.davisbuildingmovers.com

If a nicer piece of land in my area became available, I wouldn't hesitate to move my house onto it.

Yes of course, with enough money you can change the location of an improvement. What I meant in my first post is that you cannot change the location of the location.

Get a quote from a contractor and permission from the government to have your dirt and soil lot dug up in one piece if you can find a corresponding void in a good locale...LOL

The house would have to be VERY worthy to move, and less desirable locations are usually a good distance from another that would be substantially more desirable. Disconnected power lines, closed streets, permits for each town you are passing through, police escort, etc. etc...

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Crookhaven

Longwoods fine but coming from the North Shore, Id split the difference and go with Rocky Point or Sound Beach.

We have plenty of Nortport expats here looking for affordable North Shore.

Dollar for dollar you find a better buy near BNL.
Were getting quite a few people from the Lab these days.



JMHO

Crooks

Sage advice. The increasing presence of BNL people will only benefit RP schools. It might be the same phenomena which the 3Vs experienced as SUNY people started settling here.

Hubby and I were discussing last week that if we were to sell, we wouldn't hesitate about moving back Rocky Point, or somewhere near the water in Sound Beach. The area has been improving since I first lived in RP back in 1991.

Like you, I would recommend RP and SB over Longwood. There are plenty of newer, larger homes in RP off of Merritts Path not far from the water, too, if that's what a person likes. Personally, I am more the cute cottage type.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Sage advice. The increasing presence of BNL people will only benefit RP schools. It might be the same phenomena which the 3Vs experienced as SUNY people started settling here.

Hubby and I were discussing last week that if we were to sell, we wouldn't hesitate about moving back Rocky Point, or somewhere near the water in Sound Beach. The area has been improving since I first lived in RP back in 1991.

Like you, I would recommend RP and SB over Longwood. There are plenty of newer, larger homes in RP off of Merritts Path not far from the water, too, if that's what a person likes. Personally, I am more the cute cottage type.

Very true beehave,

Sadly McMansion culture has cost us quite a few of the cuter bungalows, but they are still out there.Get em while you can.

Its a neat little area and it has gentrified considerably since 91.

We love it here.



Crooks

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?

Yes of course, with enough money you can change the location of an improvement. What I meant in my first post is that you cannot change the location of the location.

Get a quote from a contractor and permission from the government to have your dirt and soil lot dug up in one piece if you can find a corresponding void in a good locale...LOL

The house would have to be VERY worthy to move, and less desirable locations are usually a good distance from another that would be substantially more desirable. Disconnected power lines, closed streets, permits for each town you are passing through, police escort, etc. etc...

You've taken me far too seriously and I should have mentioned that I am in construction -- for me, virtually anything is possible. But to be honest, I was funnin' with ya. As I wrote the post, all I could think of was 347 and 25 clogged with homes being moved hither and yon. It would give moving day a whole new meaning.

My home is very worthy and currently in a great location. I would move a block to be waterfront. Once my house was placed, I could build new on my current property and sell that.

I am fortunate that I love my house and love where it is located. Moving it would be fun, but not necessary. Need vs want. I don't need waterfront, but I want to be able to see more water when I sit on my couch.

The permits, clearances with the town and utilities, etc., are typical business as usual. It is easier than dealing with DEC.

Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!

[twingles]

Option #1. This is what we did 12 years ago and our house is still holding value. In fact, since it's one of the smaller houses in town, in a neighborhood of similar homes, RE agents are apparently salivating over listing houses in my 'hood. People will always want to live in certain towns, and will always pay for for a way to get their "foot in the door" in that town so to speak.

You can change a house, but you can't change location and school district. Those are 2 of the biggest selling points on LI. I am SO glad we didn't go with the other town we were looking at, even though it would have meant a bigger house, especially since we are thinking of selling in the next year. As a previous poster said, sometimes it's perception as much as anything, too.

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

You've taken me far too seriously and I should have mentioned that I am in construction -- for me, virtually anything is possible.

Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!

LOL...I added the Wayne's World reference to lighten the opinion because I had the suspicion you where funnin....

You sound in an optimal position to move a house...Worthy structure, short travel distance, prime arrival location and rebuildable/sellable departure lot. And you are in constuction so can keep costs down...

Party On!

[KellyFG]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

I agree. Longwood has some middle-of-the-road areas in it, but has some less than desirable ones, too, were people are already financially strained. Like so many districts, I don't know how much more they can burden the taxpayers with increases in the budgets, or if they will have to sacrifice more programs.

Longwood certainly has areas that are strained regardless of the true state of the economy. Gordon Heights always has been & always will be a thorn in Longwoods side. The population there is transient and the parents are not big on involvement with the school, however Gordon heights is TINY compared to all of the other communities in Longwood. You could drop 200 million dollars out of a helicopter over Gordon Heights & it wouldnt fix the problem. Its fundamental. However we are all on this planet with other people and in life we will be faced with choices. I'm not a fan of lilly-white, two married parents and a picket fence schools, thats a disservice to the children.
I have been living in Longwood, specifically Lake Panamoka/Ridge for over 5 years & I'm proud to say we are still undergoing a home renovation boom here. I receive the REO/Foreclosure/auction/short sale lists for all of Nassau & Suffolk by fax weekly and the number of distressed properties in Ridge is in line with RP, PJS, Centereach, Selden, Patchogue, Medford, Ronkonkoma and a few other towns. People here are not as over-extended as people in some of the affluent neighborhoods, its not the land of leasing new SUVs every 36 months whether you need it our not.
And about our school budget, its claim to fame is that we have the highest population of seniors in Suffolk county & our budget passes every year. And there haven't been any 27% surprises like in the neighboring high desirable SWR.
Our middle school has a planetarium, our state funded preschool program is in use. The services here are excellent for a district that is viewed so poorly.

[KellyFG]

Originally Posted by ambralita

Everyone here seems to say to buy the smaller, outdated house in the "better" area vs the bigger, updated house in the "so-so" area. But what about future trends with areas getting BETTER on LI, like areas that used to be so-so are getting more affluent? (Maybe this "so so" area will get better over time.) Wouldn't it be nice if more nice families moved into "so-so" areas, thereby counteracting the negative aspects of an area? Thereby paving the way for more nice families to move into the area, and voila! you have a middle area that is not so bad, after all.

I have been fretting about this same situation as the poster's. We currently live in Northport (Yes, THE VILLAGE) -- renting of course -- and would LOVE to live here but can not afford. Also, the commute is too far (I work out east). So we decided to go back out East and are close to buying a lovely large updated home surrounded by nature, peace and quiet (Ridge). BUT I will miss "civilization" (Main Street, etc.) and the SD is arguably less "better" (though all the parents of LWSD we spoke to said good things).

In the end we decided we want a better quality of life in terms of house (space) and nature (less congestion). AND we have faith that the schools will improve over time (our child is a toddler), especially since there will be more professionals moving into the area due to Brookhaven Lab's phenomenal growth...Also, to play devil's advocate, if you live in a "so-so" area, you can always drive to the good stuff. At least you have a nice home to return to. What is more important to you, in the end? And is that "middle" area really so bad?

Good luck!

Welcome to Ridge neighbor! You will LOVE it here!
What area is your new home in? I'm in Lake Panamoka

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by KellyFG

Longwood certainly has areas that are strained regardless of the true state of the economy. Gordon Heights always has been & always will be a thorn in Longwoods side. The population there is transient and the parents are not big on involvement with the school, however Gordon heights is TINY compared to all of the other communities in Longwood. You could drop 200 million dollars out of a helicopter over Gordon Heights & it wouldnt fix the problem. Its fundamental. However we are all on this planet with other people and in life we will be faced with choices. I'm not a fan of lilly-white, two married parents and a picket fence schools, thats a disservice to the children.
I have been living in Longwood, specifically Lake Panamoka/Ridge for over 5 years & I'm proud to say we are still undergoing a home renovation boom here. I receive the REO/Foreclosure/auction/short sale lists for all of Nassau & Suffolk by fax weekly and the number of distressed properties in Ridge is in line with RP, PJS, Centereach, Selden, Patchogue, Medford, Ronkonkoma and a few other towns. People here are not as over-extended as people in some of the affluent neighborhoods, its not the land of leasing new SUVs every 36 months whether you need it our not.
And about our school budget, its claim to fame is that we have the highest population of seniors in Suffolk county & our budget passes every year. And there haven't been any 27% surprises like in the neighboring high desirable SWR.
Our middle school has a planetarium, our state funded preschool program is in use. The services here are excellent for a district that is viewed so poorly.

SWR had to face the music at some point. LILCO was very good to them, but like the grasshopper, they weren't saving for the harsh winter. It will be interesting to see what will become of SWR. Will the area lose it's desirability factor? Will it remain status quo as uber taxes keep out those who can't afford them?

IMHO I wouldn't place Ridge in the same sentence as Centereach, Selden, Patchogue, Medford or Ronkonkoma. I think Ridge is nicer than those areas -- at least the sections of Ridge I've seen.

You've mentioned Gordon Heights and the problems which are inherent within the community. What you've written is true: no amount of money will fix it. It's unfortunate that it's the one bad apple in the Longwood barrel and it's what everyone sees.

Driving past the schools, the giant chain link fences surrounding the properties makes an individual question what is the need to lock in the entire school property? It looks eerily urban in a still somewhat rural setting.

I went from an almost 100% white school district to a large state university which took a lot of getting used to. When it came time to look for a home, we moved back to the university town where DH grew up and which I attended. Children's friends are a real mixed bag of religions, races, economics, and ethnicities -- like the real world.

All of us want our children to do their best and be successful at whatever it is they choose to do. We foster this by doing the best we can for them. Each parent has a different idea as for what they perceive as best.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

SWR had to face the music at some point. LILCO was very good to them, but like the grasshopper, they weren't saving for the harsh winter. It will be interesting to see what will become of SWR. Will the area lose it's desirability factor? Will it remain status quo as uber taxes keep out those who can't afford them?

IMHO I wouldn't place Ridge in the same sentence as Centereach, Selden, Patchogue, Medford or Ronkonkoma. I think Ridge is nicer than those areas -- at least the sections of Ridge I've seen.

You've mentioned Gordon Heights and the problems which are inherent within the community. What you've written is true: no amount of money will fix it. It's unfortunate that it's the one bad apple in the Longwood barrel and it's what everyone sees.

Driving past the schools, the giant chain link fences surrounding the properties makes an individual question what is the need to lock in the entire school property? It looks eerily urban in a still somewhat rural setting.

I went from an almost 100% white school district to a large state university which took a lot of getting used to. When it came time to look for a home, we moved back to the university town where DH grew up and which I attended. Children's friends are a real mixed bag of religions, races, economics, and ethnicities -- like the real world.

All of us want our children to do their best and be successful at whatever it is they choose to do. We foster this by doing the best we can for them. Each parent has a different idea as for what they perceive as best.

I would agree, Ridge is much nicer than all the above.
(The HS does seem urban and out of place now that you mention it.)
I do know quite a few parents who are very happy with the schools.

Patchogue Village has come a long way though.
If they could get the schools on track, they could become like a Babylon or Sayville.

I love an underdog, Im rootin for 'em.

Crooks