Rockland County or Suffolk County (New York, Babylon: real estate, living, price)

[destiny826]

There two places that my family is considering, Rockland County and Suffolk County. Which County do you like and why? I will be commuting to downtown Manhattan and wife to Midtown. I'm looking for a community are friendly and not conceited.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by destiny826

There two places that my family is considering, Rockland County and Suffolk County. Which County do you like and why? I will be commuting to downtown Manhattan and wife to Midtown. I'm looking for a community are friendly and not conceited.

Personally I live in Suffolk County on the South Shore mostly because my entire immediate family is here. But personally it feels sometimes like I am in a giant cul de sac where you have to drive through New York City just to get upstate or somewhere.

Rockland County seems more like it is on the edge of the suburbs - huge state parks nearby for instance. Definetely less crowded than LI - remember Suffolk shares LI not only with Nassau but Brooklyn and Queens.

Still if you like beaches, small downtowns like Babylon, Huntington and Sayville (yes even in the middle of suburbia), and a slightly warmer winter look into Suffolk.

Because both counties are great - I would do research on the Long Island and Metro North railroads. Check out their schedules at the stations you are thinking of living near. I hope this helps!

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by destiny826

There two places that my family is considering, Rockland County and Suffolk County. Which County do you like and why? I will be commuting to downtown Manhattan and wife to Midtown. I'm looking for a community are friendly and not conceited.

I have lived in Suffolk and now live in Rockland......and neither is really a bargain......if you prefer the beaches Suffolk is the way to go...Suffolk is better set up for travel NYC...

In Rockland... (1) you can either take a bus over the Tappan Zee Bridge to the train...to Grand Central...(2) or a bus to the Port Authority...on the west side...then the train...(3) A train to a train...to a train...they say you get use to it......

There are several areas in New Jersey that might be better suited for your needs...but when you are shopping...remember...Location...Location... Location......are the first three rules in real estate...I myself would pick Suffolk......

[mikethekike]

Long Island is great, so long you dont mind the culture there. Having lived in rockland, commuting is a real pain unless you take on of the private bus companies, such as the Jewish bus service "Monsey Trails". Coach USA and the others only goto the PA on 42nd and 8th, but the private lines goto wall street and/or midtown.

[havoc315]

There is a coach USA line that goes from the Spring Valley Marketplace into midtown and downtown. But yes, commuting is probably easier for most people from Long Ialand. That might change with the Tappan Zee upgrade, but realistically, that is at least 10 years away.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by havoc315

There is a coach USA line that goes from the Spring Valley Marketplace into midtown and downtown. But yes, commuting is probably easier for most people from Long Ialand. That might change with the Tappan Zee upgrade, but realistically, that is at least 10 years away.

I was reading somewhere that the state is studying connecting some railroad stations in Rockland into Westchester all the way to Port Chester by building rails across the new Tappan Zee bridge. But that is a long ways from now.

Too bad there is no ferry service from Rockland to Manhattan - probably cost too much for most people anyway.

[havoc315]

There is ferry service from Rockland. 2 options. A 15 minute ferry to Ossining, connect to metro north. Or a 90 minute ferry all the way downtown.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by havoc315

There is ferry service from Rockland. 2 options. A 15 minute ferry to Ossining, connect to metro north. Or a 90 minute ferry all the way downtown.

Thanks I was not aware it was still in existence. I do know there are several ferries in the NY area that are so expensive (like the one from the Atlantic Highlands) that they priced themselves out of many people's price range. A shame.