living in the 5 towns questions

do any of you live in the 5 towns who can tell me about the areas? I am a pt time WAHM and currently have a great mommy network but am strongly considering a move. What is it like living there? are there good things to do with the children? are you happy with the schools? is shopping convenient? how is the commute to NYC?
I am not that familiar with the areas and would like some assistance with my research from those who know 1st hand about it.

I don't go to temple but the proximity of temples is important to me. are areas more desirable than others to live in? I am specifically considering Hewlett and Woodmere but am open to others.

my concerns are high taxes and losing a great moms network. we have a book club. moms night and play dates all the time.

I really appreciate it. thanks!

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

I live in North Woodmere - have been here for 2.5 years.

I just had a baby, so I'm not sure about things to do with older kids...

The shopping is very convenient - there's the Foodtown plaza on Peninsula, tons of stores in Cedarhurst - lots of little shops to get pretty much anything you need scattered around.

The commute to NYC is great - we're right by the Gibson train station (Far Rockaway line) - it's like 10 minutes to Jamaica and another 10 if you catch an express into the city.

I can't speak about the temple experience as I'm Catholic, but I do know that there are tons of beautiful temples around all over.

What else?

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

There is great shopping as scarlett said on penninusla as well as on central ave in cedarhurst. I would definitely say look for a house in the hewlett school district as the Lawrence school district is supposed to be not good. As for mom's I know a lot of mom's in Oceanside and the five towns and there are music together classes and gymboree classes and a lot of things to do with the kids! We actually go to a ped in hewlett and we love them!

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

Thank you!!!
are there communities or just houses? like are there subdivisions?

my children arent "old" i have 18 months old twins=)

are ppl generally friendly? is there a taqrget or bjs aorund? now i go to garden city for everything. BBB BRU, Target, walmart etc. do you have any of those around you?i know ppl love mom and pop stores and i think they are fun to look at but really i like stores that are mass quanity- returns are easier and prices are lower.

i keep hearing about gibson. is that a town where ppl catch LIRR? are you happy there?

is there in town living? do you know of a Realtor i can talk to just to see what i can afford? do you know anything about preschools in the area? i feel like i am grilling you... sorry!

has the hosing market been hit hard there? basically are prices down significantly?

if i don't go to LI i will go to NJ and i can get an AMAZING home there but i am torn about leaving NY....

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

Just sent you FM!

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

I grew up in North Woodmere and still live a town away from Lawrence. I do love the area but I would make sure to you only buy in the school district 14 NOT 15 (Lawrence). The district has suffered greatly due to majority of the community sending their children to private Yeshivas. As the other posters have mentioned there is tons of shopping around. There is a target and BJs in Valley Stream and there is a Costco in Lawrence. Feel free to FM me should you have any questions!

Re: living in the 5 towns questions

I teach in the Hewlett-Woodmere public schools. There is a lot of shopping in the area and all the places as mentioned above. HW school district has a great reputation. I am a speech teacher there and I also provide services for the kids that go to Yeshiva. There are many temples all over the 5 towns.