Help with neighborhoods - moving to LI (Hempstead, Union: best neighborhoods, apartments) - Long Island - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

portugabel · 08-28-2012, 05:30 PM

My fiancee and I are visiting Long Island, as I have a great job opportunity close to Hempstead. We don't have children yet, and don't mind living in a smaller house or apartment, at least to get us started in the area (renting for a year while we look into places to buy). We like going to the beach, enjoy dining out, and are looking for more residential neighborhoods, with relatively close proximity to restaurants (or historic pedestrian-friendly downtowns). As such, we need advice on a few things:
- What are the best neighborhoods not too far from Hempstead (maximum 20/30 min commute)? As said earlier, we would prefer residential communities with very low crime (i.e., we can walk outside at night), and close to restaurants or historic downtowns.
- How is traffic in the part of LI?
- How are the immediate surrounding neighborhoods (all the Hempsteads, Garden City, Uniondale, Mineola, East Meadow, etc)?
- We have heard that Glen Cove and Port Washington are pretty nice if we want to be closer to the water. Aren't those too "far" from Hempstead? What about the prices in those neighborhoods? What about Long Beach on the side?
- We are also looking for an honest and friendly realtor to show us around neighborhoods, apartments, and houses during our visit. Any advice?

Anything else that you think might be helpful in making the best out of our visit (and making us choose that part of the state) is greatly appreciated!

Thanks to everyone!

twingles · 08-28-2012, 05:35 PM

Budget?

portugabel · 08-28-2012, 05:57 PM

The budget would be between $2,500 and $3,500/month for rent. Safety and nice neighborhood is the most important asset for us. For buying a home, we will see after a year how we are!

twingles · 08-28-2012, 06:08 PM

I'd probably look into Rockville Center - easy commute, all the amenities you list and not too far from the beach. Your budget is good. You could get a rental in Garden City although you are on the fringes with that budget....and the nightlife isn't as good as RVC and farther from the beach.

portugabel · 08-28-2012, 11:40 PM

I have heard and read good things about Glen Cove, Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Brookville, and Roslyn. How far are those from Hempstead/ Garden City/ Uniondale? What about traffic? Are these neighborhoods really that nice? I have been looking at some places in those areas, and they really look nice! Thanks for your input!

tonytwotoes · 08-29-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portugabel

I have heard and read good things about Glen Cove, Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Brookville, and Roslyn. How far are those from Hempstead/ Garden City/ Uniondale? What about traffic? Are these neighborhoods really that nice? I have been looking at some places in those areas, and they really look nice! Thanks for your input!

Glen Cove has its nice parts and its bad parts. Mostly where you'll find apartments for the price you're paying you'll be right in town, either off cedar swamp road or off glen cove ave. The population is mixed, with more of a queens feel than a long island feel to the town. You're close to the water there (10 minutes by car or 30 minute walk) and only about 30-45 minutes from hempstead (glen cove road to meadowbrook parkway to hempstead turnpike).

Glen Head and Sea Cliff are similar distances from hempstead and don't really have that "old town" to walk around in like say, rockville centre has.

Brookville is closer to hempstead, but you're compromising your commute to the water. For walking around town, there's not much in terms of local stores, more chain stores.

Roslyn is probably your perfect compromise. The town is cute and safe. You're about 20-30 minutes commute from hempstead and only a stones trow for a couple of beaches. These are north shore long island beaches, so expect rocky/shelly sand with little to no waves in the water. I don't know what apartments would run you, but with your budget you shouldn't too hard pressed to find a one, two or three bedroom apartment somewhere.

I'd search on craigslist for a quick view on available apartments: long island apts/housing for rent classifieds "roslyn" - craigslist

portugabel · 08-30-2012, 12:28 PM

Thanks! I have been looking at Roslyn and it looks pretty nice, not too far from Hempstead. Glen Head and Sea Cliff look very nice as well and are close by the water.

Thanks for the craigslist link. I had searched on trulia mainly, but I will look into CL!

Any other advice is really welcome!

Elke Mariotti · 08-30-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portugabel

Thanks! I have been looking at Roslyn and it looks pretty nice, not too far from Hempstead. Glen Head and Sea Cliff look very nice as well and are close by the water.

Thanks for the craigslist link. I had searched on trulia mainly, but I will look into CL!

Any other advice is really welcome!

When dealing with homeowners directly, be aware that not all rentals on Long Island are legal...

portugabel · 08-30-2012, 02:24 PM

Thank you Elke! What is your advice about the areas, as an Agent?

VanillaEps · 08-30-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twingles

I'd probably look into Rockville Center - easy commute, all the amenities you list and not too far from the beach. Your budget is good. You could get a rental in Garden City although you are on the fringes with that budget....and the nightlife isn't as good as RVC and farther from the beach.

Rockville Centre also came to my mind, even though that is where I currently live. There a lot of apartments in RVC. So, I would assume that there are rentals to be had. With your budget, you shouldn't have a problem finding a 2 bedroom.