Having Second Thoughts About Buying in Huntington Station (Dix Hills, Melville: appointed, mortgage)

[SuperNoj]

We are about to purchase our first home. After being disappointed by everything in our price range in Melville, Huntington, E. Northport and Northport, we have settled on a home in Huntington Station. (I work in Great Neck and did not want to go further out.) We decided to open up our search to certain areas in Huntington Station after hearing from several people that parts of it were very lovely and safe. We are comfortable with the S. Huntington School District (we have two children under age four), at least for elementary school, and just want to make sure that the home we've chosen is in a "good area". We understand that the resale could be a problem with a Huntington Station address, but we really couldn't afford anything comparable in a more "desirable" location and, well, we need to start somewhere, right? We just want to make sure this is "the somewhere" to start.

The area is just north of Jericho and a block or so west of what is typically considered "Maplewood" and south of "Gatke Park". It's west of Depot, east of 110. Some street names are Schiller, Woodhill, Armell, Hazard, Thorney and there are some numbered streets in the 20's. It looks okay, but we just noticed yesterday that there was a bit of graffiti on a few of the street signs. Is that typical of any area or could it be indicative of something else? Also, does this neighborhood have a name?

Any info/insight would be greatly appreciated!

[dman72]

Originally Posted by SuperNoj

We are about to purchase our first home. After being disappointed by everything in our price range in Melville, Huntington, E. Northport and Northport, we have settled on a home in Huntington Station. (I work in Great Neck and did not want to go further out.) We decided to open up our search to certain areas in Huntington Station after hearing from several people that parts of it were very lovely and safe. We are comfortable with the S. Huntington School District (we have two children under age four), at least for elementary school, and just want to make sure that the home we've chosen is in a "good area". We understand that the resale could be a problem with a Huntington Station address, but we really couldn't afford anything comparable in a more "desirable" location and, well, we need to start somewhere, right? We just want to make sure this is "the somewhere" to start.

The area is just north of Jericho and a block or so west of what is typically considered "Maplewood" and south of "Gatke Park". It's west of Depot, east of 110. Some street names are Schiller, Woodhill, Armell, Hazard, Thorney and there are some numbered streets in the 20's. It looks okay, but we just noticed yesterday that there was a bit of graffiti on a few of the street signs. Is that typical of any area or could it be indicative of something else? Also, does this neighborhood have a name?

Any info/insight would be greatly appreciated!

I've driving through that area many times on the way home from work....the area around Pulaski Road and Depot Road I do not like at all. South of there, I'm not sure. Maybe it's better.

[RiddleMeThis]

I lived in Huntington for 28 years. I know the area well.

It's ok, but bordering on bad areas. In your own immediate vicinity you're ok. But don't venture too far walking. Pulaski and Depot intersection and the streets with lower numbers are out and out dangerous. When I go to visit my friend in Greenlawn and I drive thru there late at night, I slow down at red lights and then proceed if there are no cops around. I won't sit at a red light there. If there was a cop, I am pretty sure I'd get off with an explanation.

[anotherNYer]

I also lived in Huntington for 49 years. I would be careful purchasing there. Huntington Station tends to have a bad rep and for good reason. Those streets can be nice but again you can't venture far. My good friend lives on East 22 St. off NY Ave and can't wait to get out. Drive over there and you will see how close you are to her. She is on the east side of NY Ave. Although Gatke Park has a good name, the neighborhood is decaying. Look over on the other side of Oakwood Road in Cold Spring Terrace. It is on the border of Cold Spring Harbor, still South Hunt. schools (which are very good). Cold Spring Terrace and that area off West 22nd Street are nice and have a Huntington zip code. there is a big difference between east and west 22nd street. Be sure to look on the west side of Oakwood Road. Good luck.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by SuperNoj

We are about to purchase our first home. After being disappointed by everything in our price range in Melville, Huntington, E. Northport and Northport, we have settled on a home in Huntington Station. (I work in Great Neck and did not want to go further out.) We decided to open up our search to certain areas in Huntington Station after hearing from several people that parts of it were very lovely and safe. We are comfortable with the S. Huntington School District (we have two children under age four), at least for elementary school, and just want to make sure that the home we've chosen is in a "good area". We understand that the resale could be a problem with a Huntington Station address, but we really couldn't afford anything comparable in a more "desirable" location and, well, we need to start somewhere, right? We just want to make sure this is "the somewhere" to start.

The area is just north of Jericho and a block or so west of what is typically considered "Maplewood" and south of "Gatke Park". It's west of Depot, east of 110. Some street names are Schiller, Woodhill, Armell, Hazard, Thorney and there are some numbered streets in the 20's. It looks okay, but we just noticed yesterday that there was a bit of graffiti on a few of the street signs. Is that typical of any area or could it be indicative of something else? Also, does this neighborhood have a name?

Any info/insight would be greatly appreciated!

I'm not aware of a "local name" for that particular neighborhood.
What I do know, is that many parts of Huntington Station are lovely! How do I know? I moved there after selling my house in Cold Spring Harbor...

I'm surprised you didn't find anything in E. Northport though, because there are a lot of affordable homes on the market - of course I don't know your budget. One thing about E. Northport is that RE taxes are often low, so that might make up for a slightly higher price, right? For example, if you save $2,400/yr in taxes, that would give you an additional $200/mo for the mortgage side... Just a thought.

[Walter Greenspan]

For those who may not be familiar with Huntington Station:

Huntington Station is a hamlet (an unincorporated area) in the central part of the Town of Huntington, in the northwest part of Suffolk County.

Beginning on the north and moving in a clockwise direction, the Hamlet of Huntington Station in the Town of Huntington is bordered on the north by the Hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor and the Hamlet of Huntington; on the east by the Hamlet of Huntington and the Hamlet of Greenlawn; on the south by the Hamlet of South Huntington and the Hamlet of West Hills; and, on the west by the Hamlet of West Hills and the Hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor.





The Hamlet of Huntington Station has a different border than does the "Huntington Station, NY 11746" ZIP Code postal zone (i.e., a place can have a "Huntington Station, NY 11746" mailing address and not be in the Hamlet of Huntington Station and a place can have other than a "Huntington Station, NY 11746" mailing address and be in the Hamlet of Huntington Station): places that have a "Huntington Station, NY 11746" mailing address that are not in the Hamlet of Huntington Station are in the Hamlet of Huntington, the Hamlet of South Huntington, the Hamlet of Greenlawn and the Hamlet of West Hills; and, at the same time, there are places in the Hamlet of Huntington Station with a "Dix Hills, NY 11746" 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): http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...-resource.html

[Jrprofess]

Best advice I got before I made my first home purchase: "Buy a home knowing you may end up living there your entire life". You can plan on it being a starter home, or moving out before the children leave the elementary schools, but the only thing you can really bank on is you will definitely be living in THAT home. Everything else is speculation, plans which can change, and other life circumstances that may preclude you from being able to move. I would be hard-pressed to make the largest purchase of my life in an area that already has me concerned and hesitant. Waiting 1-2 years to get into an area you would feel totally comfortable with is worth it in my opinion. I also think getting the feedback from the longtime area residents who have and will post is helpful. Good luck to you.

[SuperNoj]

What about Greenlawn, near Jamaica, Springfield, Lawn, etc.? It's in Elwood S.D. Would something over there be better?

[SuperNoj]

Thank you all, by the way, for your thoughtful feedback. You've given us a lot to consider.

[TomMoser]

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

Best advice I got before I made my first home purchase: "Buy a home knowing you may end up living there your entire life". You can plan on it being a starter home, or moving out before the children leave the elementary schools, but the only thing you can really bank on is you will definitely be living in THAT home. Everything else is speculation, plans which can change, and other life circumstances that may preclude you from being able to move. I would be hard-pressed to make the largest purchase of my life in an area that already has me concerned and hesitant. Waiting 1-2 years to get into an area you would feel totally comfortable with is worth it in my opinion. I also think getting the feedback from the longtime area residents who have and will post is helpful. Good luck to you.

I think this is excellent advice. It is what I tell all first time home buyers that I work with. BTW- I am still in my "starter home" twenty years later.