Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

We just moved into our house in Commack 2 years ago. We like the area but have always regretted buying so far from the city- we are from Queens. I am 11w pg with twins, and so now that we will be a family of 6 come March, we need a bigger house. DH & I decided to take this opportunity to move to Nassau, a happy medium. We did our research, and really like the south shore towns of Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa. Anyone live there? Have any personal experience they can give? Schools seem great on paper but how do you like having your kids in them? Overall feel of the neighborhoods? We would probably not buy south of Merrick Rd. because of flooding concerns. TIA!

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

I have friends in Wantagh Woods, family and friends all throughout various neighborhoods of Seaford, as well as Massapequa Park.

They are all great areas and the schools are fine.

Like anywhere else, it also comes down to your involvement with your kids.

I know people who have gone the private school route because "of the drug problem" but really, that could happen ANYWHERE.

My SIL recently sold her house in Seaford which was a couple blocks north of the train, and it wasn't even on the market for 2 days and she had multiple offers.

I think there's more interest vs. houses for sale in this area which is a con you may run into during the buying process.

I also believe Christine Braun is from the area and does a lot of sales here. (LIF rea)

My ILs are actually putting their house on the market very soon.

They are in Seaford and were not affected by Sandy. High ranch/mother daughter.

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

We love it in this area. Purchased because we didn't want to go the private school route and the schools are excellent. Love our neighbors. I grew up in valley stream, this was the farthest east we could comfortably go...

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Grew up in the bellmore/merrick area and also lived in wantagh for awhile. If I could have afforded it, I would have bought in those areas without question.

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

I grew up in Seaford, and now I live in N. Bellmore. My real estate office is also in N. Bellmore.

I loved growing up here, and I love living here. It's close to parks, beaches, and convenient because you are near lots of parkways and on a great LIRR line (the Babylon line). Lots of trains run (many are express), most don't require you to change at Jamaica. DH and I used to both do a train commute to the city and it was about 43 minutes on the express train.

I have a 5 year old DS (just started kindergarten), and there's so much to do in the area for the kids. Great library programs at all of the towns for babies/toddlers, lots of family festivals and family oriented activities, sports leagues, etc. The schools have a great reputation, and although my DS has been in school for just one week, I am very happy with how everything is going (very active PTA, very warm feel to the school community). There are great preschool and daycare options here, too.

Many of the towns you mentioned have little downtown "village" areas. In Bellmore, we have several restaurants, ice cream shops, bars, movie theaters, etc. in the area by the train. It's sort of a town center for things like Halloween parade and trick or treating at local businesses, Memorial Day parade, Christmas tree lighting.

As a real estate agent, I think you do get great value for your money in southeast Nassau (in terms of property and house size, as well as school district and convenience of train/parkways).

Let me know if you have further questions, or if I can help you with your search. I work all over LI, but the towns you are mentioning are ones I know like the back of my hand, since I live here!

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

I just moved to the area, also from Queens. We looked in all the areas you mentioned. We put the offer in on our house 2 days after it went onto the market and it had multiple offers. Paid over asking. So, be prepared to move fast if you find something you love!

The drive to Queens isn't bad at all....I think I've done it about 10 times since I moved less than a month ago and I'm from central Queens. From Bellmore, I've found the easiest route to be the SS to the Meadowbrook to the NS. Takes 35-40 minutes without traffic and would be even less if you're going to eastern Queens. I used to have to drive from Queens to Commack sometimes and it was definitely felt much longer than this does.

I don't have children yet so I don't have any first hand experience with the schools, but the neighborhood itself is nice and I love all the nearby shopping options.

I don't know if you commute to the city for work, but everyone says the Babylon train line is great. I haven't really witnessed this greatness yet, but it's what I heard!

Good luck!

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

We moved to seaford two and a half years ago, and are in love with he town. We bought a small fixer upper with a large piece of property, knowing that we would do work on the house but couldn't change the location or property

We don't have children in school yet, but we do have plenty of neighbors who do and they are all happy with the schools-and it's a small town/district which was important to me

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

grew up in the area and now live in it. its a great area!!

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

I grew up in North Bellmore and now I live in Wantagh (Levittown Schools). people usually cringe when they hear levittown but you shouldnt. we're zoned for Lee Road/Salk/MacArthur. My son just entered Kindergarten and i absolutely LOVE his school. I live in the Forest City community and right up the block is a beautiful park with a pool, playground and lake. I'm around the corner from North Bellmore with all the shopping and to my left is wantagh ave. I've lived here 8 months and love it so much! there's actually a house for sale up the block from me if you're interested. :) I'm 10 weeks pregnant so if you lived here our kids would go to school together. LOL

Message edited 9/8/2014 12:08:27 PM.

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

I wouldnt completely rule out houses south of Merrick road either, look at the flood maps. We are very south of Merrick road in one of the towns you mentioned but are not flood zone due to elevation. We had no damage from Sandy and neither did any of our surrounding neighbors who are also non-flood due to elevation.

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun

Posted by IansMommy23

I grew up in North Bellmore and now I live in Wantagh (Levittown Schools). people usually cringe when they hear levittown but you shouldnt. we're zoned for Lee Road/Salk/MacArthur. My son just entered Kindergarten and i absolutely LOVE his school. I live in the Forest City community and right up the block is a beautiful park with a pool, playground and lake. I'm around the corner from North Bellmore with all the shopping and to my left is wantagh ave. I've lived here 8 months and love it so much! there's actually a house for sale up the block from me if you're interested. :) I'm 10 weeks pregnant so if you lived here our kids would go to school together. LOL

Just wanted to add that I LOVE the Forest City area, and people rave about Lee Rd. elementary. So I agree it's a nice neighborhood and very family friendly, lots of young kids.

Also wanted to say congratulations on your pregnancy, Diana! I don't really post much beyond the "Home" board, but I've followed your story on here through your posts, and I'm very happy for you!

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Thank you all!! I am looking forward to hopefully buying in the area soon. We hope to put our Commack house on the market within the next 2-3 months.

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

My sister lives in south Bellmore (just bought there in June) and prior to that she lived in Seaford. She loves the area even though she is south of Merrick she isn't considered a flood zone and none of the houses were involved with Sandy damage.
Good luck with the sale of your house I know you were torn on what to do we actually just bought in the Commack sd (bought in east Northport).

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh

Re: Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh