Laurelton to Nassau (Valley Stream, Merrick, Mineola: safe neighborhood, school district, college)

[gibson station]

Originally Posted by LOVEROFNYC

For this budget and some leg work you may get lucky finding a ' cosy' home in the five towns area. I wouldn't be too excited about this area due to the flooding issue and being in the flight path for JFK planes. Plus the schools are not the highest rated. If you look in this area be sure to go to the particular block at particular times of the day to assess the air traffic noise. Ask about flood insurance and basement flooding issue.

Hold on; I need to defend my school district. Agree about the planes, but only the Lawrence SD is mediocre. Hewlett-Woodmere is excellent. Most of Hewlett is not in a flood zone but it's a question you need to ask. The school zoning map is zany, so you always need to ask about it and independently verify. A home could be located in Hewlett or Woodmere but be zoned for Lynbrook (fine) or Lawrence (not comparable).

[AlexaCraig]

Thank you regarding the school zoning. I will investigate further.

[ckhthankgod]

What about parts of Baldwin?

[l1995]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

What about parts of Baldwin?

That's what I was thinking. It has what she's looking for plus I think it would be a comfortable transition. To me it's like the in between of say, Rosedale and Merrick.

[Gilgo]

Just curious, what made you purchase in Laurelton 10 years ago and what drew you to that area?

[AlexaCraig]

Hello.....I purchased because my husband grew in up in the neighborhood. My inlaws also live in the area and were able to help us with my children.

[Gilgo]

It's unfortunate that you perceive the neighborhood to be in decline. Laurelton was a master planned community built by Senator Reynolds who also built Long Beach. Many of the streets were built with green medians and much of the housing stock consists of large colonials, tudors, and craftsman style homes so I understand your comment about wanting to take your house with you.

[Coney]

Originally Posted by l1995

That's what I was thinking. It has what she's looking for plus I think it would be a comfortable transition. To me it's like the in between of say, Rosedale and Merrick.

She did mention diversity and of all the areas that were mentioned, Baldwin and Valley Stream would fit that qualification.

[Gilgo]

Originally Posted by Coney

She did mention diversity and of all the areas that were mentioned, Baldwin and Valley Stream would fit that qualification.

Agree they fit the diversity criteria but they are very different choices IMHO.

What people colloquially refer to as "Valley Stream" includes:

-Inc. village of Valley Stream
-Hamlet of North Valley Stream
-Hamlet of South Valley Stream

and four school districts (SD 14, 24, 13, 30) that do not necessarily correspond to any of those three entities above.

When people say "Baldwin" they are referring to:

-Hamlet of Baldwin

which mostly is inclusive of the Baldwin school district with some sections zones for Uniondale if I'm not mistaken.

Since you are coming from Queens, you should keep in mind an incorporated village includes an extra layer of government (with an extra village property tax!). A hamlet, which is an unincorporated area, receives all services through the township, which in this case would be the Town of Hempstead.

Also always remember that school districts do not necessarily correspond to the village or hamlet with their same name.

[AlexaCraig]

Thank you for your input. My husband and I weren't too keen on Valley Stream or Baldwin. My current town of Laurelton is extremely close to Valley Stream. We have friends who live in both towns and thought that there were other towns that we would investigate. I may fine tune my budget, once I see what is out there.