Baldwin?

Is Baldwin a nice area? How are the schools? Are there certain parts (the Harbor) that are MUCH more desirable than others? I'm looking on MLS and the houses seems reasonably priced, but that makes me leery, too!!

Re: Baldwin?

There are some very lovely areas of Baldwin. I have a friend who has a gorgeous house there...but the schools aren't the greatest from what I've heard. I would check the school ratings if you are interested in the area...

Re: Baldwin?

I used to teach in Baldwin, the elementary schools are good. The harbor area is nice, my mom lives there. I used to hear about lots of fights that happened at the high school when I worked in the district.

Re: Baldwin?

Two of my colleagues used to teach at Baldwin High School... they left after many years, actually took a pay cut to get out... a lot of gang actvity.

Not a month would go by that the police weren't asking for her attendance book to see if a suspected student was in class like he/she claimed.

I knew a few people considering the area 10-15 years ago and they passed on it.

Personally, I wouldn't.

Re: Baldwin?

thanks, guys! :)

Re: Baldwin?

My friends grew up there and most of them left (sad) except for a few who are in really nice areas but the town is not what it used to be. They all went to catholic school so I can not comment on the schools.

Re: Baldwin?

Re: Baldwin?

We just moved to Baldwin Harbor and I love it! I love our house and the neighborhood. The neighbors have stopped by with cookies and granola and to introduce themselves. I have absolutely no complaints.

Having grown up near Baldwin I know the area well. Yes, its true, south Baldwin is considered more desirable than North Baldwin. I think most areas south of Merrick Road are great, does not have to be Baldwin Harbor. The elementary schools have an excellent reputation, especially the Milburn Ave school and the Steele School. They are small with only 1 or 2 classrooms per grade. They are highly rated.

The high school does seem to elicit more negative comments. Not really sure, don't know much about it. I do know that whereas there are many elementary schools, all the kids from Baldwin go to the same public high school.

We are expecting our 1st child and figure we will cross the middle school/high school bridge when we get to it. That is still a good 8-10 years away.

People love to criticize towns because of the schools or diverse population (which is sadly often seem as a negative) but many towns have "bad" areas, some just hide it better than others. Just my opinion.

Re: Baldwin?

well said summergrl and pnbplus...

i grew up in Baldwin and went to Baldin HS. my parents are still there so i go there often. i have friends who have their children in the schools and are happy with it. a friend's child is in the HS AND DOING BEAUTIFULLY....all AP classes, very involved etc.

yes, i will say North Baldwin has changed. Businesses come in and out and there are a lot of vacnt store fronts. however, this has always been a problem in Baldwin. Grand Ave. is a major road with not a lot of parking so it's hard for businesses to stay.

I have never felt unsafe in Baldwin, it's not overrun with gangs, or others things you hear. South of Sunrise and defintiely south of Merrick are the quieter areas of the town and more "desirable." Baldwin Harbor is considered anything south of Atlantic Ave., which is even further south still. Elementary schools are great, the middle school had a recent renovation and i would go by what the HS teacher that posted for thoughts on the HS. granted, i graduated almost 15 years ago, but it was awesome then and i loved it.

Message edited 8/14/2009 3:20:38 PM.

Re: Baldwin?

Looks I'm late to the party here, but wanted to offer my thoughts. I'm glad several people spoke up to defend Baldwin High School. It seems that all too often rumors of "gang activity" and other problems at BHS show up on this forum. Nice to see people who actually teach there or know someone in the student body have chimed in to debunk these.

Among it's assets, Baldwin boasts what few areas on Long Island can offer—a truly diverse population. This diversity is what prompted my family and I to move here in the first place and remains one of the things we really enjoy about Baldwin. The vast majority of Long Island is quite segregated (one way or another), Baldwin offers an alternative to this. Most neighborhoods offer nice homes and parks and safety and crime have never been an issue for us. Yes, a certain amount of commercial redevelopment would be nice, however until the current recession there were several development projects in the works that have since been shelved due to the current economic situation. Hopefully these will be re-examined as times improve.

Yes, I'm biased, but since you asked I figured I'd give you my perspective. Consider this a recommendation for Baldwin.