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Thinking about moving to Saint James. Smithtown school district: above average, Property Taxes: ~ 15k, new construction opposite mall on 347 around 625k.
Trying to figure out if this is worth moving here -
- How much do the property taxes go up per year in Smithtown - approximately ?
- Is the noise and traffic on 347 a huge issue ?
- What is so good about the school district specifically vs. Sachem ?
- Any advantages living in a new community in Smithtown vs. Sachem ?
- Does anyone know about more new developments coming up around Smithtown or in around Sachem. Not seeing a lot of new houses around that area near Nesconset/St. james
I've never owned in that area, so I can't speak to the property taxes.
As for the traffic, 347, and the area around the mall in general, is a crowded, congested, obnoxious mess. My husband lived in that area for a number of years before we were married, and trying to do ANYTHING around there on the weekends was insanely aggravating - like, expect it to take 20-25 minutes to travel two miles to Whole Foods, only to lose 2 hours picking up 15 grocery items because of how crowded the store is once you finally get there.
With regard to the schools, Smithtown, in general, produces significantly better results for its graduates than does Sachem (check out the Newsday school report cards, look at things like how many students continue on to 2-year and 4-year colleges, pass rates on state exams, etc.). That said, Sachem is median for LI, so going to Sachem probably won't harm your kids if you were to choose to live in Sachem instead. The advantage to living in a new community in Smithtown vs. Sachem is that you're in Smithtown rather than Sachem.
Lastly, new construction is not common in general on LI, and I haven't heard about any new projects planned for that area. With a budget of $625K though, why not consider a recently remodeled home? You could get into a beautiful, recently-remodeled home in a significantly better part of Smithtown, or in the Three Village district (just east of Smithtown), for that kind of money.
I should also add that the Sachem district is ENORMOUS compared to Smithtown. Some people may view this as an advantage (the district is able to offer more courses/sports/whatever because of economies of scale), but for others it may be a negative (your five-foot-tall, 98 pound son is probably not making the baseball team in Sachem but he'd have a shot in a smaller district, or a teacher might be more willing to go out of his/her way to help a particular student because the teach has fewer students to worry about overall, you get the idea).
I would not live on 347. The development I think you are talking about is RIGHT ON the road, with all the mall, Port Jeff and Stony Brook traffic going by it. That measly wall is not going to block the noise or the air pollution. The only good thing I can say is that parts of the road did not lose power during the hurricane.
I live in St. James and it is a nice place, but not where you are talking about.
A couple of months ago someone had posted about the budget in Sachem, something to do with a large budge increase.
St James is nice, but that development on 347 -- I wouldn't buy there. The only positive to it is that you would be paying less for the house than the suckers who first bought there and who are probably underwater at this time. There are nice, newer homes in St James if you wish to stick with Smithtown. Look further north and west.
A couple of months ago someone had posted about the budget in Sachem, something to do with a large budge increase.
St James is nice, but that development on 347 -- I wouldn't buy there. The only positive to it is that you would be paying less for the house than the suckers who first bought there and who are probably underwater at this time. There are nice, newer homes in St James if you wish to stick with Smithtown. Look further north and west.
Sachem budget passed at tax cap 3.14% on the second vote.
Smithtown (as well as other SDs) are going to be in the same boat as Sachem in the next year or 2.
Sachem budget passed at tax cap 3.14% on the second vote.
Smithtown (as well as other SDs) are going to be in the same boat as Sachem in the next year or 2.
Thank you.
Did they have to let go teachers? I vaguely recall either teachers would be fired &/or programs cut.
A couple of months ago someone had posted about the budget in Sachem, something to do with a large budge increase.
St James is nice, but that development on 347 -- I wouldn't buy there. The only positive to it is that you would be paying less for the house than the suckers who first bought there and who are probably underwater at this time. There are nice, newer homes in St James if you wish to stick with Smithtown. Look further north and west.
Further North and West would be proper Smithtownish, taxes are 4k higher on the newer homes. Also I don't see new construction except for some at Yellow Top Farms.
Further North and West would be proper Smithtownish, taxes are 4k higher on the newer homes. Also I don't see new construction except for some at Yellow Top Farms.
25A heading down to 111 is the dividing line for Smithtown and St James. You've got plenty of 'west' to go between Moriches and 25A.
Head further north on Moriches Rd -- that is St James and further west brings one through St James and into Smithtown. Have you looked into any of the cul de sacs near Woodlawn? King Arthur Ct, Heide Ct, Elle Ln, Sergent Ct, Wexford Ct. All are in St James.
You can also get newish homes heading North on Moriches, pass the light, turn right at the stop sign onto Mills Pond Rd and then a right onto Wellwood Rd.
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