Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

We decided to expand our "forever home" search from the South Shore of Nassau to the North Shore of Suffolk.

We are leaning towards the Village of Northport. However, it is far from friends and family... Not exactly across the country- but a little bit of drive. I think that all of the positives of living there will out weigh the long drive.

So, here are my ?????????'s..

Which daycare?
Pediatrician/ PCP?
Food shopping.. is there a Costco or Target nearby?
Is there full day kindergarten? Do they offer before care and after care?
Which mall do you go to?? Movie theatre?
Gym??
Is there a Ymca for the kids?
Nail Salon?
Where is the Library?
Is there a train station,or do you use Huntington/East Northport?
What else do they do in town besides Cow Harbor Day? Parades? Activities?
Do you think it will be a HUGE culture shock for me???
Why are the taxes sooo much lower than in other areas?
As far as High School..are there 2?? Northport/East Northport and Elwood?
Can you suggest looking in a particular area?

Anything else you may want to share would be great.

Thanks, Tara

Message edited 4/9/2009 7:11:34 PM.

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

I'm from the area and will help you the best I possibly can.

Which daycare? There are a few in the area. DS is not in daycare, so, really, I shouldn't recommend any w/out the experience.


Pediatrician/ PCP? Our pediatrician is in Huntington (Huntington Pediatrics). A lot of moms on here also rave about Dr. Cavanaugh (sp) in the Huntington Medical Group.

Food shopping.. is there a Costco or Target nearby? In Commack, There's a Costco AND a Target in pretty much the same shopping "center"

Is there full day kindergarten? Do they offer before care and after care?
Northport is NOT full day Kindergarten. They do offer SCOPE (before and after care)

Which mall do you go to?? Movie theatre?
The mall, I drive to Smithaven.
Movies: Regal in Ronkonkoma, Island 16 (off the LIE) or the one in Farmingdale by Republic Airport.
There's also Elwood and Commack but I like the others mentioned above a lot more.

Gym?? Hmmm Golds Gym, Lucille Roberts are the ones I can think of right now.

Is there a Ymca for the kids? There is a YMCA on 25A in Huntington

Nail Salon? LOL too many to list

Where is the Library? Northport has one towards the village and one in East Northport on Larkfield Road

Is there a train station,or do you use Huntington/East Northport? I **Think** a lot of East Northporters use the Huntington station.

What else do they do in town besides Cow Harbor Day? Parades? Activities?
Cow Harbor Day.
East Northport Festival
Fireman's Fairs
Hecksher Park in Huntington usually holds fairs and such.
In the summer, Northport park usually holds "Music in the park".

Do you think it will be a HUGE culture shock for me???
I don't know where you are from now, so, not sure about "culture shock".

Why are the taxes sooo much lower than in other areas? LOL I've wondered this myself...

As far as High School..are there 2?? Northport/East Northport and Elwood?
Northport and Elwood are 2 completley different districts.
If you're considering Northport Village, you are in the Northport district.
If you are considering I **think** anything past Claypitts and Elwood, then you're in the Elwood district..**Im guessing on the "borders" here.

Can you suggest looking in a particular area?
I grew up on the border of Northport/East Northport, got married, lived "out east" and am back.
Very glad to be back.



A little more advice: Be patient when driving on Larkfield...LOL..ever since I was a kid, I've HATED this road. There is a lot of traffic and if you hit the train, theres even more traffic.
I'd take the "longer" route and always cut over to Elwood if I had to.

I hope this helps a little!

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

I grew up in Northport - although I couldn't afford to buy there, so now I live elsewhere. What I can add to what was already said is

1. the taxes are lower b/c they are subsidized by LIPA due to the stacks opposite Northport/Asharoken Beach.

2. I use Northport Pediatrics on Larkfield Road.

3. Before I moved I always went to the Walt Whitman Mall b/c I hated driving on 25 to Smithhaven.

4. As to train station - you can drive to Huntington, or use the one in East Northport on Larkfield Road. I used Huntington for work related things b/c that is considered an "end" and if you don't get off there you have to get the connection to Port Jefferson, and that schedule isn't as convenient (but it is absolutely doable - and I did that when I went to college in the city)

5. Costco and Target are over by the Commack Multiplex (aka Exit 52 on LIE). There is another Target at the split of 25 & 454 (generally speaking this is further north, and therefore closer to Northport)

About schools . . . if you live in Northport - you go to Northport HS. If you live in East Northport you could go to either Northport or Elwood HS. If you live in Greenlawn, you could go to either Harborfields or Elwood HS. Northport is UFSD #4. I don't know about the others, and I'm not entirely sure where the lines are for each one - although if you are north of the railroad tracks it is definitely Northport/East Northport UFSD. Clay Pitts Road and Elwood Road are used as lines, but where and for which district I don't know.

I absolutely loved growing up there. IMHO, they have one of the best libraries around. I almost lived in the children's section as a kid, and never wanted for anything as an adult b/c of how accomodating they are. If I could afford it, I would buy a house - any house - there in a heartbeat.

Message edited 4/9/2009 10:09:16 PM.

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

Which daycare? DS and DD are with my mom - there are a few big places (tutor time) and smaller places (in peoples homes)
Pediatrician/ PCP? lots to pick from - Kids go to one just outside of centerport
Food shopping.. is there a Costco or Target nearby? lots of grocery stores to pick from, some small (IGA) some big (stop n shop) Costco, target and wal-mart in commack, near LIE. also another target a bit closer on jericho
Is there full day kindergarten? Do they offer before care and after care? Npt, does not have full day kingergarten. I think they have before and after care options. Two private schools near by that offer full-day.
Which mall do you go to?? Movie theatre? Walt Whitman - used to go to the commack multiplex
Gym?? Golds Gym
Is there a Ymca for the kids? in Huntington
Nail Salon? tons
Where is the Library? one in northport, one in east northport
Is there a train station,or do you use Huntington/East Northport? train is by golds gym close to the east northport library. huntington train station is less than 15 minutes away, some times we drive to Huntington for the train
What else do they do in town besides Cow Harbor Day? Parades? Activities? lots - this weekend northport has the easter bunny - santa comes on a fire truck to the east northport train station. Fairs in both Enpt and Npt
Do you think it will be a HUGE culture shock for me??? can't say
Why are the taxes sooo much lower than in other areas? LIPA - national grid (the smoke stacks - near the water)
As far as High School..are there 2?? Northport/East Northport and Elwood? If you are living in Northport really you will only have one - Northport Schools but a small section might go to Kings Park. If your looking in East Northport - its Npt, Commack, John Glen (elwood) and a small section to Harborfields
Can you suggest looking in a particular area? Yes, My house in East Northport is for sale!!!

Message edited 4/9/2009 10:22:57 PM.

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

I live close to that area and my BILs are in Fort Solonga and Greenlawn so I have some knowlege of the things you are asking...

Shopping is plentiful. Go to Jericho Tpk in Commack and you have BRU, King Kullen, Michaels, a great bagel store, etc. ther eis a really BIG and nice Stop n Shop in East Northport too. Costo, Kohls, Target, Walmart, home Depot, HOme goods are just off Commack Rd.

Malls you could go to either Walt Whitman or Smithaven depending on what you are looking for.

YMCA in Huntington is nice, my neice and nephew both take swim lessons there and do family swim at night for a few years now.

Same for the library actually as my SIL says there are alot of nice programs in the Northport/East Northport library.

Both m y BILS use hte huntington train station as the trains are more regular after a certain time than further east.

The reason taxes in Northport are less is because they are offset by LIPA who I believe has an office in in the area. Its similar to Hauppauge where the taxes are offset but the tons of businesses in the area.

In that area there is ALWAYS something going on...they have music in the park, easter egg hunts, fairs etc. Plus just on any given weeken dif you go down to the harbor its busy and active.

I dont k now your budget or anything, but my BIL is in fort solonga, its considered Northport and its really nice. He has an acre of land and a really nice size house. The parents in the area seem very active with all the kids and the mothers seem to have a nice bond. They go to Northport Schools (although some of Fort Solonga goes to Kings Park)
My other BIL is in Greenlawn and is actually looking to move for a bigger home as well. But his kids go to Elwood and have had a good experience.

ETA: Northport, Elwood, Kings Park Schools do not offer full day K. HOwever my neice and nephew both went to an afterschool enrichment program they enjoyed.

Message edited 4/10/2009 9:14:43 AM.

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

Which daycare?

There are many daycares in the area. Centerport has a cooperative daycare at the Methodist church (which is also nice because as you participate more, you meet moms). Kiddie Academy in Greenlawn is good. The VA Hospital has a daycare but I recently heard some negative things about it & that it's changed since my kids went there, so I can't recommend.

Pediatrician/ PCP?
Dr. James Cavanagh, Huntington Medical Group. Can't say enough good things about him. Calls on his day off to get updates on my kids if they're sick, I'm never rushed out of there, answers questions clear & concise, has children of his own so he understands the angst. Open 365 days a year with early am walk-in hours.

Food shopping.. is there a Costco or Target nearby? Both are nearby. Costco in Commack & on Route 110 (Commack is closer). Target is in Commack on Jericho Tpke & South Commack. If you live in the area, you will likely go to Stop & Shop in Northport. There is also Pat's Meat Farms which we go to for fresh vegetables. Makinajian Farms has organic food & organic chicken. They have a local market in Northport Village on Sundays am (I think it's Sundays) and one in Huntington Village on the weekends. Great produce.

Is there full day kindergarten? Do they offer before care and after care?
Centerport & Northport do not have full-day kindergarten - and I doubt they will be moving to it as it repeatedly gets voted down. My kindergartner goes to the before & after programs through SCOPE. I love the SCOPE program. They do arts & crafts, play in the gym, outside, etc. They are gearing up for their prom in May/June.

Which mall do you go to?? Movie theatre?
I rarely shop in the area & opt to buy in Manhattan where I work. If I was going to a mall I'd opt for Walt Whitman (closest) or Smithhaven. Movie theatre - Huntington Community Centre (indie films!) Elwood or Huntington. NOT COMMACK.

Gym??
Sorry - I need to laugh at the idea of going to a gym for me...but pretending I did. Gold's in Northport / YMCA in Huntington. There are also many programs through Northport Community. Yoga, aerobics, swimming, etc. The cost is very inexpensive - like $79 for a mulitweek course. Some of the offerings in the Northport School District Community Events 2009 calendar :
Basketball, Modified Workout, Slimnastics, Volleyball, Golf, Yoga,
Stress Reduction, Badminton, Tai Chi,
Swimming - in addition to quilting, cooking, photography, antiquing, intellectual property, investing, parenting, computer courses

Is there a Ymca for the kids? Huntington as previously mentioned

Nail Salon? I couldn't even narrow down how many.

Where is the Library? Harborfields Library is on Broadway in Greenlawn. Northport has 2 libraries (Larkfield Road & Laurel Avenue). Elwood's library just moved to the corner of Elwood Rd & Jericho. Out of the library systems, Northport is the better of the 3 surrounding areas.

Is there a train station,or do you use Huntington/East Northport? I go out of Northport, Greenlawn or Huntington depending on how many school buses I encounter after I've dropped off my kids. Huntington has more trains but if you're leaving at certain times of day Northport or Greenlawn saves me a little gas.

What else do they do in town besides Cow Harbor Day? Parades? Activities?
What don't they have!? Let's see

Soccer is a big sport in Northport. You will see hundreds & hundreds of kids (and I mean that literally) with their soccer shirts on the weekends.

Summer - Thursday nights in the Npt village has bands play.
Here is the Huntington Arts Council calendar of events. Tuesdays Hecksher Park in Huntington has children's plays, they set up "drive in" movie theatres throughout the town 3-4x a summer.

Vanderbilt planetarium & Museum (not sure if they're offering this summer) has children's plays in the courtyard, storybook night under the stars, visit the planet shows, etc.

John W. Engeman Theater offers off-off-off about as far as Broadway shows - both adult & kids.

Do you think it will be a HUGE culture shock for me???
I don't know why it would be. I moved 6 minutes away so it wasn't much a shock to me...


Why are the taxes sooo much lower than in other areas?
I'm not sure. I think it offers so much more but having not lived anywhere else, I'm sure all town has plays, music, festivals, farmers markets.

As far as High School..are there 2?? Northport/East Northport and Elwood?
There is Northport/East Northport, Elwood (for the southern section of East Northport), Harborfields (Greenlawn & Centerport) & a few in Huntington (I can't name them all but Whitman, South Huntington are the ones I remember)

Can you suggest looking in a particular area?
Northport Village is probably the most desirable of all you mentioned. then Centerport, East Northport. I can't comment on Huntington too much except to say Huntington Bay is a nice area but if they're in the S. Huntington school district I'd say you got the short end of your taxes.


One thing I have to say about our school districts is that they have amazing specialty programs - for children with learning disabilities or gifted & talented. There is so many resources available to parents from a parenting center that teaches "how to prepare your child for kindergarten" to discussing drugs with your teen.

It's a very community-oriented town & if you want to be involved, opportunities are abundant.

Message edited 8/8/2011 11:59:01 AM.

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

Thanks everyone!

I am soo excited to start looking. I think we will focus on Northport Village, although I found a BEAUTIFUL home in Eaton's Neck- but that looks like it is off the map!

I think we will head down to the Village on Easter Sunday to check things out.

When we do end up moving in, I want to host a get together to meet all of you local girls.

Thanks again,
Tara

Re: Moms in Huntington,Centerport,Northport...I may be joining you and I have a lot of questions!!!

Posted by avamamma

Thanks everyone!

I am soo excited to start looking. I think we will focus on Northport Village, although I found a BEAUTIFUL home in Eaton's Neck- but that looks like it is off the map!

I think we will head down to the Village on Easter Sunday to check things out.

When we do end up moving in, I want to host a get together to meet all of you local girls.

Thanks again,
Tara