Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

I am currently going for my master's in Ed so I hope to be teaching again in the next year. Question though: For those of you who worked both for the city and the suburbs what did you feel were the pros and cons? Which overall, did you prefer? The reason that I am asking is that I would love love to wind up somewhere on the island. However, I have friends who are currently living in nassau and teach in the city and prefer it that way. They say while the money is better and the students generally more easy to control, there are a lot of additional stresses that deter them from teaching on l.i. While I know it is also hard to get a job in the suburbs, I know a few people who don't even want to bother. To me, teaching on long island, living there, and making a better paycheck is ideal!! I also know a few teachers on long island who love it and would never want to be in the city again. It scares me a little that the city teachers I know who have a good deal of experience feel this way about the suburbs. I am beginning to wonder if the competition is just too fierce. Any thoughts or opinions as to why?

Re: Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

good question...I wonder the same things?

Re: Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

FH was able to get a job in the city easily. Luckliy he ended up in a great school.

he is interviewing every year to get a job on LI - but he is being picky bc he has tenure in the city and likes the school - but the commute stinks.

He actually interviewed at a few districts in western nassau and the pay was only about $2k more than what he makes now.

Re: Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

There is such a high turnover in many of the areas in NYC --- the salary is lower --- and they need SO many more teachers because in some places, like where I teach, there are schools every 3-4 blocks. Just on one road that I take to get to my school, not a main road but just a road that cuts through the neighborhood, I pass 4 elementary schools and 2 middle schools. This is over about a 15 block run...

I think that all of this makes the city just need MORE teachers.

On long island once you get in you stay there. Your salary is generally at least somewhat higher, there aren't major curriculum changes every time a new may or gets elected.

All that said -- I love my city job. If it were closer, I'd probably stay there forever.

Re: Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

I'm a city teacher and we moved to Queens to be closer, which helped a lot. With our current contract, we are paid comparable to the 'burbs. Not like the LI pay wouldn't be taken if I had the chance, but in all honesty, I love my school, my kids, etc. Just having the mayor in charge is a big time negative. He hates teachers...basically. So therefore the curriculum isn't desirable. But we find our ways to make the days a lot more fun...we close the door and...WE TEACH!!!

Re: Question for teachers: City Vs. Suburbs?

Well in the city....I feel the administration is really on you...not even the principal...like local superintedent ,
regional superindendent....they are looking at your stupid bulletin boards and checking kids notebooks to make sure YOU are doing your job. It makes it really hard to teach like that.