Can't decide where we want to move!

We have zoned in on a few areas, but can't seem to decide where to go! The school district is a big concern as we have two kids. Can anyone shed some light on the following areas- the good, bad or ugly!

Massapequa although the taxes might be too high for us
Sayville
West Islip
Oakdale

Message edited 10/22/2014 3:23:52 PM.

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

We actually just bought a house and were looking in all of those areas, except for Oakdale, and a few others on the north shore.

We bought in West Islip. So far, I love it. My neighbors are nice and everyone keeps their homes so pretty. Everyone I have spoken to is very happy with the schools although I was not too pleased with the test scores this year but, across the board, it seems that the schools' scores dropped with common core. I have always known West Islip to be a good district so I kind of ignored it. I hope it wasn't a mistake. The kids who grew up in the house we bought both went to great colleges and the college aged kids in the neighborhood now are going to good schools so that made me happy to hear. What I really liked about West Islip is the accessibility. It takes no time to get on the highways and that is important to DH and I. Also, its sewers and we have gas heat which were two musts for us.

LOVE Sayville. That would have been my first choice but there were really slim pickings in our price range. It seemed that the houses under our price range were either small or really old and then there were nice houses but in the high 6 figure range and higher. There isn't too much in the mid-range. Schools are rated great and the village is so cute. You get a nice sense of community there. The downsides for us were that it is pretty far east, its cesspools and most were oil heat.

Massapequa is another town we loved. Schools are excellent. Again, there were really slim pickings in our price range. To get what we wanted, we were going to have to go very high or go south of Merrick Road, which we did not want. The houses more north were selling super quick and above asking. I found the market in Massapequa/Massapequa Park to be very competitive among buyers and you need to be very strong. I would suggest working with a realtor who has an inside scoop in Massapequa so you can get first dibs. There were houses that I would see come on MLS, I would call, and I would find out there was already an accepted offer and there were 2 all cash deals behind it.

Overall, they are all really nice towns. Good luck!

Can't decide where we want to move!

I'll add that I'm not sure comparatively to the other neighborhoods, but Massapequa taxes are VERY low compared to other towns neighboring. The mall & other businesses really keep our taxes low (by A LOT, my brother has a house almost the same square footage in Wantagh and his taxes are nearly double ours). We LOVE LOVE LOVE living in Massapequa. We both grew up in western Nassau, so for us, it gives us the best mix of what Suffolk (space) and Nassau (distance to amenities) have to offer.

Can't decide where we want to move!

I lived in Oakdale for over ten years, north of montauk hwy. Very nice community with easy access to sunrise and southern state. My son is a graduate of Connetquot, the special ed programs are very good. In general it's a solid district.

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

I can only speak of the Massapequa area too.

When we looked (and this was in 2008) all the houses in our price range (300s) were dumps and needed to be completely gutted before move in or were on busy main roads or corners with no yard....think houses that would be more suited to be converted in doctor offices. We were mostly shown stuff in North Massapequa too.


I think now it is a very hot market and you have to go in with lots of cash.

My SIL recently sold in Seaford north of the train station about two blocks and had two offers, one all cash in 2 days of being on the market.

Her house had some upgrades, but nothing major. Not the kitchen....

I know Christine who is a LIF realtor is very familiar with the South Shore Nassau market. I think Beth who is also a realtor is from Suffolk. They both seem to be on their game though..talk to them.

Can't decide where we want to move!

I would say sayville over oakdale or west islip. but i agree with the above poster that there isn't too much in each price range

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

Thanks ladies! Sayville is on the top of my list right now, but I didn't realize it was cesspools. I really don't want to go any further east than there.

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

Been in Sayville for 5 years and I don't think I could live in many other towns. I love the sense of community and how there is almost always something to do, especially in the summer. Love having Main St - we're in walking distance to the town and the beach which is awesome. My kids aren't in school yet, but the neighbors rave about the district and it is highly rated, and has great athletic programs. Cesspools weren't ideal of us either, but not a deal breaker.

We looked in W.Islip and Oakdale too, but like the small active town and community feel in Sayville.

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

Sayville! Much smaller SD. Leaps and bounds better than Connetquot. My biggest regret is not moving there!

Can't decide where we want to move!

I have to agree regarding the price range and market - I have friends looking at what we purchased for in 2012 and I'm SHOCKED at what they are being shown and the neighborhoods. The house around the corner from us is on sale, empty (I think an estate sale, like ours was), smaller, undormered cape, no basement (we have basement, rear dormer, 2 bathrooms, extension off the kitchen, etc) and it's asking price is $40K over what we purchased for in 2012, I'm sure they'll get it too, because the block is great.

Can't decide where we want to move!

I went to and lived in both Sayville and Oakdale school districts.

My husband went to West Islip and I lived in a border town.

1st choice for schools would be hands down Sayville and 2nd would be Oakdale.

Re: Can't decide where we want to move!

We live in W. Islip and we really love it here.