Tell me about Wantagh...

Which parts are the nicest?

How many elem schools are there? Which is the best?

How is the middle/high school?

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

I just bought a house there! So I'm obviously biased. But Wantagh is pretty small and all of it is nice. The part with the cheapest houses is North Wantagh because it's in the Levittown school district. It's still really nice, but the houses are smaller and in the $300,000 - $450,000 range, which is less money than average in Wantagh (and where I bought!) Levittown schools are also good, but Wantagh has a more "posh" reputation (and better Regents test scores) and you pay more to own a home there and be in that school district. You might want to look into the "contract" situation there, though - I think Wantagh was the only school district in all of Nassau county last year that didn't pass their budget, even with a re-vote.

Message edited 1/13/2010 7:50:45 PM.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

I did a lot of looking in Wantagh.

The "nicest" part of Wantagh IMO is the Woods section. Specifically north of Sunrise, and south of Jerusalem (105) and in between Bellmore Ave and rt 135.

That should almost all be zoned for Wantagh schools so you get the "better" SD, yet you are far enough from the water that you should most definitely have a basement. But of course all of this comes with a price as these homes typically sell for way more than anything with Levittown schools. I was looking at some Wantagh homes priced close to 500k when I was in the market. If your budget is much less (like around 400k), then you should probably look at north Wantagh to at least get a Wantagh zip.

There is nothing wrong with Levittown schools, it's just a much larger district. Also many of the homes in north Wantagh that have Levittown schools, are actual Levitt houses... so of course no basements.

Just my two cents.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

DH and I both graduated from Wantagh HS and we ended up buying our house from his parents when they retired so it looks like our kids will too.

In the Wantagh School district there are 3 elementary schools, and most people who have lived here for a while refer to the areas by them. Then there is 1 middle school and 1 high school, which are on the same property and connected by a colonnade. The school administration building is next to the middle school building.

Wantagh Woods has Wantagh Elementary School, usually referred to as Beech Street school. The kids who live on the east side of Wantagh Ave over to Route 135 and from Jerusalem down to Sunrise definitely go there. I think the kids that live between Sunrise and Merrick also go to Wantagh Elem. It's the prettiest elementary school of the 3 IMO, but also the largest. They expanded the original building a few years ago.

Forest Lake Elementary covers the area roughly between the west side of Wantagh Ave and the Bellmore border, as far north as Jerusalem Ave and as far south as Sunrise. My mom lives in this area, but we didn't move there until I was in high school and my brother was in middle school.

Mandalay Elementary covers the area south of Merrick from the Seaford to the Bellmore borders. I live in this area.

Our taxes are higher than other local school districts. We don't have much commercial business to offset the residential taxes.

Our budget was voted down twice 2 years ago. Last year it passed on the first vote. We are one of last districts to have half day Kindergarten - and I can't think of any others but I might be overlooking one.

Message edited 1/13/2010 8:46:21 PM.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

Just bought here, in the Levittown schools, and we love it! We are in Forest City and its great! Close to parkways, shopping. Researched the SD and it seems great, we have a cape with a lot of property and a basement.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

I second Forest City....lived here my whole life. Children will be going to Lee Rd.....small school with a great rep....

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

We landed in Wantagh by luck and have been here for 7 years. We have always loved it here and we are finding that now that DS is in school we love it more. There is really a strong sense of community and pride.

I cant say enough about how happy we are with the SD. Yes the taxes are bit higher but IMO its worth it. DS is 6, he attends Wantagh El. the largest of the 3 elementary schools. The parents are Very Involved in the schools, which we believe is very important. The PTA is very active and well run the meetings are well attended. I understand from other Wantagh Moms that I know through sports and scouting that the other elementary PTAs are just as active. Opportunities for sports, cub scouts and girl scouts are plentiful. Most important to us DS loves his school and all his activities.

This is not to say that you need to have children to appreciate Wantagh. We loved it here before we had DS. Its a very convenient area with easy access to parkways, beautiful parks and of course the beach!

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

Message edited 1/15/2010 1:10:19 PM.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

I grew up in wantagh, levittown schools. I lived in forest city and went to lee road. It is a great, small elementary school. My parents had a big dormered house with a basement. We bought in Wantagh, a split, we are north of the southern state and just east of wantagh ave. Our kids will go to East Broadway.

I love wantagh woods but anything in the size we were looking for was out of our price range. My siblings and I all went to levittown schools and we are OK!

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

My DH lived in Wantagh since he was 15, but the Levittown SD area. He went to private school so I have no opinion on the schools, but my IL's pay A LOT in taxes. They pay over $12K a year on a 3 bedroom house (probably under 2000 sq ft including basement). IMO that's a lot for taxes. I'm in Massapequa in a mother/daughter and we only pay $9K.

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

We just purchased our house in Wantagh and I love it here!...I have been very happy with the neighborhood so far....I don't have children in the school district yet so I can't say anything about that but I have only heard great things, my kids will be going to forest lake elementary
My only complaint is that they don't have a field hockey team and that they have 1/2 day Kindergarten, I am hoping by the time I will need it they change that!

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

Also, most (all?) of North Wantagh goes to MacArthur hs. Levittown SD has both Division and MacArthur. I live in this area and love it here. Not a homeowner though so I can't comment on the other stuff! We would probably buy here but we fell in love with the property sizes and quiet out East ;)

Re: Tell me about Wantagh...

We are in the Woods section and are very happy here. Our neighbors are really down to earth and friendly.

I know the school district is good but no personal experience yet (my children are young).