East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

Hi all,

So we are looking for our 2nd home, basically our 1st "family home", cause our first was a 2 family investment home in queens.

We don't know much about LI in general, and we are currently not working with an agent, so we're doing all the HW and legwork ourselves. What we do know is we want north shore, good school district (we have a 3 yr. old and one on the way), decent taxes (no more than 11K), and preferably a 4bdr. Max budget around 525K. House must need little to no work.

We started our search in Syosset, only saw about 5 properties there before we realized that it was over our budget and not the size of house we were really looking for. Then we moved to Commack, and found the size we wanted but taxes were insane, some upwards of 15?! We somehow found our way to East Northport, saw a few more homes before we found one we absolutely love.

Here are our questions, any help would be greatly appreciated:

1. It's considered Elwood school district, I've heard its great, and read every previous thread on it here.... But I've heard that they half day kindergarten due to a low budget? Can anyone give insight to this... For working parents are there morning/afternoon programs? Like from 7:30 to 4:30.

2. If your zoned for Elwood, can you put your kid in Commack or Northport for extra money, or does it not work that way?

3. So is the school district just called Elwood, or is it like a smaller town within east Northport? The address says east Northport. I'm confused, sorry lol.

4. Comments about that town in any way, shape or form.

5. My search on here brought up articles from 2010, a housing project that was supposed to go up in that neighborhood. I tried to do more digging but got nowhere. Does anyone know if it went up?

6. Lastly, but maybe most important... The commute. I work in flushing, queens. I actually did the drive Monday afterwork (I work in a school). Left work at 3, made one stop in bayside to pick up my daughter, and headed east. Got to the house at 4:30. Doing it once didn't seem so terrible, but I'm wondering if it's really feasible to do it everyday. Does anyone else travel to queens from Suffolk daily? Honest truth please. Will I hate myself? Also, since it took 1.5 hrs. In the pm, does that mean 1.5 in the am or not necessarily? Is it the same or worse in the morning? How is the traffic if I leave my house at 6:30am? Too late?

These are the things I need to know before pulling the trigger and putting in an offer. Also, we would like to know if there are any other areas we need to look into that fit out criteria. Looking up neighborhoods online can only get you so far, I really am looking for people's honest opinions. Thanks so much!!!!

Message edited 9/25/2013 5:35:30 PM.

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

I hope I can answer some of your questions. I paid almost $500000 for my house and my taxes were $15000 when we moved in.

1. It's considered Elwood school district, I've heard its great, and read every previous thread on it here.... But I've heard that they half day kindergarten due to a low budget?

My son is at full day private Kindergarten but Elwood has before and after, I believe from 7am to 6pm but I heard this depends on budget.

2. If your zoned for Elwood, can you put your kid in Commack or Northport for extra money, or does it not work that way?

No unless you pay major money

3. So is the school district just called Elwood, or is it like a smaller town within east Northport?

Elwood is not a town. I actually live in Huntington but we are in Elwood district. You can live on Elwood Rd in East Northport and go to Northport School.

5. My search on here brought up articles from 2010, a housing project that was supposed to go up in that neighborhood. I tried to do more digging but got nowhere. Does anyone know if it went up?

I have heard about it but as of now nothing has happened. I believe this is Northport District


6. I actually live about 2 minutes from the Northern State. There will be trafffic. Can you take the train?


If see any house you like send me the MLS number and will check.

Message edited 9/25/2013 5:55:34 PM.

East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

Agree with PP on all counts. It's a good area.

One thing I didn't agree with is paying extra money to get your children into a school in commack - from what I know, no amount of money can let your child stray from their home district. Unless I'm wrong.

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

I agree with everything posted. I actually graduated from Elwood and I thought it was a good school district.

One note on that housing project: They have been talking about that since my parents moved to the area in the early 1970's. I doubt it will ever happen.

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

1. It's considered Elwood school district, I've heard its great, and read every previous thread on it here.... But I've heard that they half day kindergarten due to a low budget? Can anyone give insight to this... For working parents are there morning/afternoon programs? Like from 7:30 to 4:30.

a lot of schools have gone down to half day K to save money. K is not state mandated. I would think they have a scope program. Or you have a few private schools in the area.

3. So is the school district just called Elwood, or is it like a smaller town within east Northport? The address says east Northport. I'm confused, sorry lol.

Elwood is just the school district, you can live in East Northport, greenlawn, huntington and go to Elwood. it is a very small district


5. My search on here brought up articles from 2010, a housing project that was supposed to go up in that neighborhood. I tried to do more digging but got nowhere. Does anyone know if it went up?

currently east northport/ elwood has two housing issues going on. Both on Elwood road. The first is at Elwood and Pulaski road. Low income housing project, would effect Northport East Northport school district and traffic.
The second is also on Elwood road, senior housing at oakwood dairy. Just past Elwood high school/middle school.

6. Lastly, but maybe most important... The commute. I work in flushing, queens. I actually did the drive Monday afterwork (I work in a school). Left work at 3, made one stop in bayside to pick up my daughter, and headed east. Got to the house at 4:30. Doing it once didn't seem so terrible, but I'm wondering if it's really feasible to do it everyday. Does anyone else travel to queens from Suffolk daily? Honest truth please. Will I hate myself? Also, since it took 1.5 hrs. In the pm, does that mean 1.5 in the am or not necessarily? Is it the same or worse in the morning? How is the traffic if I leave my house at 6:30am? Too late?

I did the commute from east northport to whitestone for seven years. it took me 1 hour most days going in and more like 1.5 hours to get home. But it was always faster on holidays. the earlier you leave the better. HOV lane is great, really helps out

East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

I grew up further north in Northport. It's a great area. If you want cheaper taxes try in actual Northport. Because of LIPA the taxes are cheaper. The town is great. It would add a bit of time on the commute depending how far north you go. I personally would not do the drive everyday.

I live in farmingdale close to the LIE and have driven to queens a bunch of times for work and its not a fun trip. Leaving at 630 IMO put you I. The heart of traffic. When I worked at RIkers in queens I used to leave my house further east at 5am and I would still sit in traffic.

ETA you cannot pay to go to another district.

Message edited 9/26/2013 7:28:07 AM.

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

Also take a look at Greenlawn/Centerport (Harborfields district). You'll be a little further from the highway, but the schools and community are great.

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

I would suggest looking at Kings Park too. Close to the Sag and probably ha smost fo what you are looking for including Full Day K

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute

Re: East Northport/Elwood... Everything from schools to commute