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Think you'll find that the main reason people stay anywhere, even places in far worse shape than LI, is due to the presence of family and friends. Most of the rest is just an excuse, although there really is no replacement for NYC, assuming that you take advantage of it.
Family, friends, and not having to deal with the rat race too much. I don't know that I would still be here if I had to commute to Manhattan every day. I've been fortunate enough to work either at home or very close to home (as in, close enough to come home for lunch) for all but seven months of the last three and a half years.
I don't think proximity to New York is worth staying on Long Island, for me. I don't get to the city that much because I can't be bothered to spend nearly four hours going to and from. Plus, after 20+ years of just walking into the Smithsonian, the thought of paying to get into a museum or gallery sticks in my craw. The exhibit has to be something I've been waiting to see. Yes, yes, I know that many, if not most, of the museums' fees are "suggested contributions," and I know that the Smithsonian is unique in that your federal taxes already paid your entrance fee, but old habits die hard. It's like buying a bottle of wine at a restaurant once you know what the mark-up is.
And not for nothing, but I don't particularly like New York, physically. It's too dirty and too crowded for my taste. Your mileage may vary.
How often, really, do I come here just to stir the pot? Look over my posts. If someone asks a question and I have knowledge to answer, I do so. I don't post inane things; like when someone asks "what should I do because my neighbors horses stink" I don't answer "move to NYC". We all know the people who post replies like that are living in their parents basements, sleeping on their Star Wars sheets with Farah Fawcett smiling down from their plywood walls, because no adult would ever answer thusly. If someone posts something utterly ridiculous about living somewhere else I respond to it. I REALLY try not to do in a "you are all idiots for living there and I'm genius for getting out" - I really do. If I'm not always succeeding, sorry. I try to stick to facts, which is more than 90% of the posters here do.
That's why I haven't even opened the "this is for ex-LIers" thread, and I won't. I'm not interested in debating the topic just for the sake of debate.
I do not live in my parents basement and frankly, I think Star Wars is stupid.
I am a father, husband, homeowner and probably earn more $$ than you.
That said, some jackass moves to Huntington and then complains about horse smell should move back to the city.
Long Island is worth it if you value family life, education for your children, and access to just about everything. Over the course of 30 years buying is a much better route to take than renting. But if you can't afford to buy, then I guess it's easier to say LI isn't worth it than admit the reality.
Access to traffic... no acreage.. paid-beaches... barely a museum here or there... access to what? What makes long island family life so good? Long Island education is good?
I have much love for Long Island.. the food is amazing, the close-ness to stores/shopping centers/malls/gas stations, etc. I love much of the architecture in the old homes in Garden City, and all.. The Colleges are pretty good.. I hear the nightlife is decent as well.
But traffic? No land ? (unless you're so far out in Suffolk you're in England), Paying to walk on some sand next to the Ocean? Taxes? Corrupt Officials?
(I actually like corrupt officials)
I'm going to try to make the move to California, personally.. And I will undoubtedly miss New York a LOT. But I think family life and education and access to everything will be pretty good out there. Heck, I know it is, because I've seen it. Some of my family has lived it.
I just sat here at 1am reading pages of this thread and the only conclusion I can come up with is - this is the same thing played out the same way in every similar thread since I joined this place. Need new members posting more interesting questions/points. Hell I go to the Detroit forum once in a while... perspective.
I just sat here at 1am reading pages of this thread and the only conclusion I can come up with is - this is the same thing played out the same way in every similar thread since I joined this place. Need new members posting more interesting questions/points. Hell I go to the Detroit forum once in a while... perspective.
The irony being:
If all there is to do living on LI is read this stupid message board, then maybe it is time to go.
Apparently there are enough people that like living on LI and that's the simple answer to your question.I might also ad great average weather,good wages if you work for the Gov., no earth quakes,tornadoes and low average crime totals.So its supply and demand.MO
teachers are overpaid because it's too easy and too fast to get to the 100k mark. anyone can do what they do. i'd say a college professor who is a real expert in his field is more worthy of such a salary. not a 30 year old 7th grade math teacher.
not everyone can be a senior manager or a scientist. teaching is too much stress for me. i woudln't want 28 sets of eyes watching my every move and hating all my homework assignments...i prefer to hide in my cubicle all day and zone out and make half that (for now)
teachers are overpaid because it's too easy and too fast to get to the 100k mark. anyone can do what they do. i'd say a college professor who is a real expert in his field is more worthy of such a salary. not a 30 year old 7th grade math teacher.
not everyone can be a senior manager or a scientist. teaching is too much stress for me. i woudln't want 28 sets of eyes watching my every move and hating all my homework assignments...i prefer to hide in my cubicle all day and zone out and make half that (for now)
Wait, you can't claim that teachers are overpaid and then explain how it's too stressful of a job and you'd prefer to zone out in a cubicle. I hope you don't work for me. If I ever caught an employee "zoning out" I'd let them know they were fired by having them escorted out of the building and have their crap mailed to them.
I think the housing prices are crazy on LI and really doesn't go down much as opposed to the rest of the country is because LI is an island right outside of NYC.
There just isn't many areas for new development and most people aren't leaving.
I've lived elsewhere in the country, places like Texas, Virginia...and there are just a lot more land and new developments all over the place.
Nice new or close to new home with 2 car garages for 200k easy down there.
Here on LI? a 500k house and you only have a 1 car garage for most houses.
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