Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

Are you willing to give up the size of your property to move back to bayside area? Housing is very expensive in SD 26. I think as your kids get older you will enjoy where you are more.

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

Before you make such a drastic move I would suggest you get out and meet more local parents. Your local library may be a great place to start. There may also be a meetup.com group also.

I grew up in Woodside until HS, moved to one area of LI until 22, moved to Bayside for 6 years and moved to a different area of LI. I hated living in the first area of LI when we moved out here and still am not a fan of that Town. It's not the right fit for my personality. I loved the convenience to the city of Bayside when I lived there and the feeling of being back in Queens. It's just a different world from most of LI. Contemplated staying in the Bayside area when we bought a house but really wanted more space and a bigger house than we could afford in that area. We decided on the area of LI we are in now because we felt it had the right feel for us. I love it where we live. My sister lives in Smithtown with Commack schools and my cousin is in Commack. We thought about it when we were looking to move but it just felt too suburban for me and the commute is too far for DH. DH lived in Flushing and Bayside before we moved out to where we are now and he loves it here. Maybe it's just the fact of finding the right fit for you.

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

I've lived in many different areas of NYS, so my experience is slightly different.

I grew up in the Hudson Valley and went to college at New Paltz.

I then moved to the city after college and lived there for about a decade.

DH and I then moved to Long Beach for a couple of years and I thought that was a great area.

When we got married and wanted to buy a home, we were priced out of LB (we wanted a home with a yard) and it was the height of the market and all the homes we could afford on the SS of Eastern Nassau near family, we were out-bidded on.

We ended up buying a home right over the border in Suffolk and it's the best of both worlds right now. We are still close to everything IMO, in a good central location.

I often miss living in the city or LB (because I feel like that's a little more "urban and trendy"), but have grown to be comfortable where I am now.

Especially now that DS is 5.

Our family is nearby and most of our friends are too.

I even miss living Upstate now that DS is here, because you get SO MUCH more for your money.

There are definitely pros and cons though to living in ANY area.

I have some friends who live in the boros and from what they have said, it's even harder dealing with the school system when you live there......especially when it's time for HS.

Here, the worst thing I've had to deal with the school system so far is negative commentary from folks who don't live in my town who have something to say about the diversity.


If we went Upstate, it would be harder to find good jobs.

If we lived in the city, we'd probably be stuck in an apartment.

At times I get annoyed with LI but I think everyone does, no matter what neighborhood they live in.

I even hear people say the same who live in the city.

It's this area in general IMO.

Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

To OP..... You have FM

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

I grew up in Greenpoint BKLYN. My mother lived there her entire life until we moved to Suffolk when I was 15.

My family and I LOVED the move! I went from having to take a subway and bus to high school (a commute I hated!!!) to living a block away from my new high school.
My brother was in elementary school when we moved, and my mom didn't have to worry about what middle school and high school he would get into. He just stayed in district! We moved to a town that had a beautiful Main St w/ in walking distance. And my mom liked that she didn't HAVE to drive everywhere.

I guess we were never really city people. I feel moving to LI was one of the best things that we ever did!

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

DH lived in the queens side of Floral park and we live in Holbrook. It's an adjustment. he's been here 5 years and still misses queens. Go figure... he wants to move to North Carolina!

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

I went from a major change from born and raised in the Bronx until I was 30 to living in Nassau (North Bellmore). I honestly looove it here! I feel I do get the best of both worlds--not so isolated, and I have a lot of things nearby. I wouldn't have been able to move more east, I need the middle of both worlds. Though I will always be a city girl at heart, my parents still own the house I was born and raised it, and i see them a lot there, and I work in Manhattan, I don't regret moving out here. It's the best thing for my ds. Then again, DH was born and raised in Bayside, and if we could have afford it, we would have bought there.

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

Sounds like you've made your decision :)
Now that you know exactly what you need to be happy you can really shop for,a location that suits you. The closest parks, proximity to transportation, what is within walking distance will be great things consider . Of course you'll want to hear about the schools too. I know everyone uses greatschools.com but if I l think a great way to learn a bout schools is by joining a Facebook page for moms in a particular area. Just throwm the question out there and see what honest, detailed answers you get.

You're on our way! Good luck to you!

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

This is a huge dilemma for us. We will one day sell our house in the city, and buy somewhere along the Port wash line... Quick city access. I am a city person. The suburbs will be the death of me. I understand you completely.

Re: Anyone live in the 5 boroughs and move out to the island?

That's funny, i'm the reverse! A born and bread Long Islander who moved to Queens about three months ago. I'm finding that an adjustment! I think a lot of it is due to the fact that I don't know where I'm going a lot of the time and the drivers are scary. lol.

So I understand the difficulty. Good luck!