Please tell me about Baldwin

Good area?
not so good?
are certain parts better than others?
schools?
any input would be appreciated, TIA!

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

We just recently moved to Baldwin and from what we've heard, there are good and bad parts (just as in a lot of towns).
We live near the Plaza elementary school and the area is wonderful - lots of families and people who have a lot of pride in their homes.
From what i've seen, Baldwin is making an effort to redevelop the Grand Ave area and bring in new businesses.
We've been warned about Baldwin high school from a lot of our neighbors, but as we don't have kids yet, we figure we will cross that bridge when we come to it as thats going to be quite a ways away.
I had a few reservations about the town because its got some not so great areas.. but in general i like the feel of it and i
absolutely love our neighborhood
good luck!

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

I have two teachers in my building that used to teach in Baldwin. They left Baldwin about 8 years ago... they had tenure and several years seniority but the gang activity was getting out of hand. One of them finally made the decision to leave when her attendance book was asked to be used as evidence to prove a student was in class (and not committing a crime (or vice versa) for which they were being charged in court) for the FOURTH time in one month.

Both took over a 6K pay decrease to come to my district but they said they had to get out.

Another friend passed on buying a house there about 10 years ago. The town has definitely changed in the last 15 years.

JMO, but I'd pass on the area.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

there are good parts and not so good parts of baldwin. the area by the rvc/baldwin border is still very nice in appearance. but the neighborhood has changed alot since i lived there.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

we used to live in south hempstead, one of the small neighboring towns on the north - between baldwin & rvc, just south of the southern state parkway.

i felt safe walking around our immediate few blocks, even at night, by myself. but i'm not so sure i'd want to raise kids over there.

baldwin harbor (south of merrick road) is still a nice place to live.

there's a good italian food place on grand avenue in the big shopping center just south of the parkway - touch of italy

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

JMO but I would never buy a house in Baldwin

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

We own a condo in Baldwin (south of Merrick Road) and I've NEVER felt unsafe walking around the neighborhood or to and from the train station, even at night.

For me, personally, I wouldn't buy anything north of Merrick Road -- and to be honest, I personally wouldn't buy a detached house in Baldwin. For the prices and the property taxes there, you can get a house in a bit nicer area with better schools. I understand the elementary schools in Baldwin are quite good, but I have my reservations about the high school. We do not have children (and won't ever have children), but if we did, I don't think I'd choose to live in Baldwin. (JMHO as a homeowner in Baldwin who purchased in the past year...)

Where we bought works for us right now for many reasons (commute, upkeep, space, price, etc.) - however, we don't plan to be in NY more than 5 more years. Even if we are in NY, we don't plan to be in this same area... so we didn't choose it as a long-term place to live. If you're looking for a forever house, I might consider Baldwin Harbor (and bank on private schools), but I probably would look elsewhere, too.

Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

my friend bought a house in baldwin harbor about 4-5 years ago. her girls go to the high school and have had some problems there like cell phone stolen, fights etc. but that could be anywhere at any HS. I know when I go visit her going through baldwin itself is not so great jmo.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

I teach at Baldwin HS. I know that the harbor is definitely the most desirable area. The HS is not as bad as its reputation. There are a lot of great teachers and great kids. If you want more info-- FM me.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

Seems like I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but better late than never...

I've lived in Baldwin for 5 years and have had no problems here. I understand that the demographics have changed in the last 2 decades, but I see this as a positive: a well integrated community on Long Island--something that is a real scarcity. The ethnically insular quality of most towns on Long Island isn't healthy from a sociological viewpoint. It's a diverse world we live in and for Long Island to be so segregated in this day and age makes no sense.

I was sorry to hear about the home invasion mentioned in an earlier post--I hope everyone is OK. However, as someone else pointed out, home invasions don't seem to be the exclusive domain of any one community and are just as likely in affluent communities as not.

The anecdotal tales of being scared to walk around Baldwin (day or night) do a disservice to the community. I've never felt unsafe walking around any time of day or night.

I'm glad the teacher from Baldwin High posted to calm the fears about the high school. I'd rely more on test scores and college entrance rates to make decisions about a school district than tales of gang activity that are likely exaggerated or unfounded.

There were solid reasons that "Money" magazine highlighted Baldwin as one of the top 25 suburbs in the country last year. I hope people pay more attention to those reasons than the nervous hype that people seem to be spreading around. Communities change, that's how it is. Demographic change shouldn't automatically be cause for alarm, however.

Re: Please tell me about Baldwin

DH uncle lives in Baldwin, while his block is nice, two down is a bit scary. I would NOT spend the money to live there. But that is of course just my opinion.