Recommend locations to buy

Ok so we are looking to buy a home in about 6 months. We both work in plainview. We would like an affordable area with good schools. We love sayville only downside is the commute. We are willing to wait a bit longer if needed to afford in a desirable area.
Anyone recommend a good area with good schools that isn't too over priced? We currently live in an apartment complex in bayshore we do like the area but I definitely want to look in other places too. We would like a very neighborhood/ town feel

Recommend locations to buy

what about babylon? you have to be careful because one school district is better than the other.

Recommend locations to buy

i live in Wantagh with Levittown schools. I LOVE it! We're Lee Road/Salk/MacArthur

Re: Recommend locations to buy

I'm in Amity Harbor (Copiague SD) but am also familiar with Amityville which has that small town feel....many people have lived there for generations. They have a very active mom's group as well as the Junior League.

I can only speak for my SD which I know a lot of outsiders poo poo because of the diversity, but so far we've had no issues. DS is in K and I was told was one of the first districts appropriately trained in Common Core. I've also met many grads who have gotten into Ivy League and top notch universities.

We also feel like we don't have to keep up with Jones's in this area.

People who choose Amityville for public school have said the same to me.

Recommend locations to buy

We recently bought in south shore Nassau (north of Sunrise) and looked anywhere along the Babylon train line that wasn't in a flood zone. Lots of people recommended Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Massapequa because of the "great commute" to the city. A good commute is dependent on the person. If commute is a big concern, I would make several dry runs of the commute before you buy. That "great commute" everyone told me about stinks.

I've heard nice things about Hicksville, Bethpage, Levittown and East Meadow, all close to Plainview. I'm from Queens, so I don't know much about the "town feel" of any of these areas, but I'm sure many others will. I will say, I have found where I am to have less of a town feel and not be as friendly as where I'm from.

Re: Recommend locations to buy

maybe bethpage?

Recommend locations to buy

Wantagh, Levittown, Massapequa.

Re: Recommend locations to buy

Melville, dix hills, Elwood, Commack, Smithtown, not too far a commute from plainview and all good schools

Recommend locations to buy

Thank you for all the recommendations out budget will dictate the area definitely. With my promotion we have some wiggle room now and we have some time. If we don't renew our lease our complex will let you do month to month for 6 months which is great. We definitely want to be smart shoppers. Right now price and location are the two most important factors. I would love to keep my commute under 25 min and if we look in sayville it will definitely be much longer! We also love Kings park due to location but seems a bit out of our budget!!!! Love north massapequa and farmingdale but have not explored price much which we will have to do! Anyone else with recommendations?!

Re: Recommend locations to buy

Just remember too that many of these SS towns mentioned, especially above Merrick Rd. have become a very hot market.

My SIL recently sold in Seaford and her house wasn't even on the market for 2 days and she had two offers, one in all cash.

It's also super pricey.

When we looked back in 2008, homes we were being shown in our price range either needed to be completely renovated, were on super busy main roads, lacked things we wanted like a yard, etc.

I know someone posted the other day that a house down the block from her recently sold for like double what she paid a couple years ago.

I also agree about the commute comment.

I find job locations can change, and anywhere on LI, in Nassau or Western Suffolk, you need to factor in at least an hour to get to work. It is what it is with the volume of people who live here.

Re: Recommend locations to buy

I think it's hard to make recommendations without knowing more (about your specific budget (both price and taxes), your criteria for a house, town, schools, etc.).

Some of the towns recommended are pretty pricey. So budget will dictate A LOT.

"Good schools" are also somewhat subjective, so when I consult with a client, I always dig deeper. Do you want a large district or small district? Do you care about specific programs (full day kindergarten, sports, AP classes, special ed, etc.).

What is your criteria for a house and for a town? Some people want a town with a "downtown" village type area, but that is not found everywhere.

A lot of people will of course recommend their own area, which may be wonderful, but I know what is good for one person is not necessarily ideal for another.

Let me know if you would like to consult with me at some point. I sell houses all over Long Island and have recently sold homes in many of the towns mentioned. I would be happy to chat with you and make individualized recommendations based on your needs.

Recommend locations to buy

I'd recommend Commack, Northport, East Northport or Greenlawn.