Homeowners- need your advice!

We found two homes today that we love. Both are the same price, both are about the same in taxes. Both have pools and are in good school districts.

Here's the kicker:

The first house is in Levittown- we would be moving about 5 minutes from where we are. We'd have the same commute, be close to our families, and we'd be in our comfort zone.

The second house we like more (in Deer Park) HOWEVER- it would increase both of our commutes by at least half an hour. (We both already commute 30-45 minutes going there and an hour home), its further from our families, and out of our comfort zone (we're nassau people- I've lived in East Meadow my entire life).

I know in the end, its what we feel comfortable with...but as far as distance goes- how much of a factor did it play for you in chosing your home? Did you chose a longer commute just to have the house you love? We both LOVE the house in Deer Park...if it were in Levittown we would no doubt have an offer in already. But we're worried about going out of our comfort zone and a longer commute. How much did you weigh in on this when choosing your home?

Thanks for any insight!!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

....this is one of those difficult decisions.

Let me point something out for you: you wrote that you LOVE the house in Deer Park...you didn't say that about the house in L-Town.

I've been in your shoes and it's tough..so much to think about ..

1) how permanent are your careers? could one of you one day have a shorter commute?

2) how much do you hate commuting? (sometimes I like a longer commute to listen to the radio and relax on way to work..others don't)

3) if you plan on having kids, are your parents going to be a means of childcare for you? (this was major when we bought our home - we needed to be semi-close by for my parents)

4) do you both adapt easily to new environments?

5) is this a starter home or is this likely it for the long haul?


there is no simple answer..it's a lot of give & take, KWIM? the worst thing to do is rush into it without fully thinking of all the different paths.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I wouldnt base your decision heavily on commute....Jobs change all the time. You could get a new job closer or even further away.

And close to family.....you are still close in Deer Park so that would never be part of my decision....1/2-45 mins is the same to me.

Suffolk is no different than Nassau. Maybe just a little less congested out here. DH grew up on the Nassau/Queens border and moved out to Suffolk when we moved in together.....He loves it now and said he will never live in Nassau. He thinks traffic starts in Nassau.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Do both homes have basements? I know Levittown homes don't. I think the basement alone would make me consider the Deer Park home more

Honestly? It sounds you really like the Deer Park home more, so I would go with that. You're not going to be that far away.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

We moved from Queens to Commack and I still work in Queens. My commute went from 10 minutes to 45-60+ minutes because I still work in Queens. My thought was that I am probably not going to stay at my job FOREVER, but I want to have a forever home.

Think about what kind of land you get when comparing the 2 houses. We went into Suffolk b/c we got much more land and house for the money and that was important to us.

As a PP said....what about a basement? Attic? How close are your neighbors?

DH and I are both Nassau people and we both grew up there (DH in Levittown!) but Commack has been easy to adjust to for us and our families who are still in Nassau.

I would suggest taking a good look at both houses again and really weighing pros and cons.....

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

When we bought our first house we moved a little east (about 15-20 minutes) from where we grew up and our entire families lived. At the time we were able to get more house for the money and it wasn't bad being a little further away. But our commutes did not really change. Now that we are back near our families and have kids, it is definitely nice to have our family nearby with the kids. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on having kids soon.
I noticed you did not say you loved the l-town house. I think if i was in your shoes i would keep looking in that area, because 30 min is a lot to add to your commutes.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

We looked both in and out of our comfort zone and the area I grew up (DH is from bklyn)
I am a SAHM and with 3 kids it was important to me to be near family. In a pinch, my mom is only a few minutes away, my dad and grandparents also. They have helped me out a ton.

I could have gone into Suffolk and gotten more house for my money, but I love my house and really wanted to stay near here. Also, my DH commutes an hour as it is, and he doesn't have the type of job where he would ever relocate closer.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Excellent advice everyone!

Yes, we do want to this to be our "forever home". DH's job is pretty set in stone/permnanent *knock on wood!*. I'm a teacher so mine isn't necessarily 100% guarenteed.

I think beside family being close, as far as childcare goes, my mom would watch the baby (when we have kids) and she's in East Meadow. So if we lived in Deer Park, I would have to drive to East Meadow and then get back on the highway to drive to the 5 Towns. It would be annoying, but do-able.
For me, I'm just scared about the adjustment- I've lived in the same town my entire life!
As far the houses go, as a PP pointed out- yes we LOVE the Deer Park house but we don't love the Levittown one (we really, really like it and it has everything we want and need). Both are two floors: Levittown has 2 floors; no basement. Deer Park has 1 floor with a beautiful, huge fnisihed basement (and alot of storage/closet space).

We're going to continue looking as to not limit our options. But right now Deer Park is the front runner. It's a gorgeous house for a great price so we're slightly worried about letting it go.

But thank you so much for all the advice (and even more is welcome!) It definatly is pushing me more toward the Deer Park house.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I vote L-town. Commute is definatley something to consider. I 'm over the Suffolk thing that you get more for your money, blah, blah, blah, you got to go where you see yourself at the kitchen sink or what front door you see yourself unlocking every day to enter your home. My husband grew up in Suffolk and wanted suffolk really bad and I just could not do it. We just closed on a house in Nassau- and we BOTH love it!! The search took about 3 years- NO JOKE! There's more to a lifestlye than a big lot and big house.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

i'd go with the levittown house. we were going through the same thing and in the end, didn't want to leave our comfort zone. it didn't really have much to do with commute. we are so happy we decided to stay in the area we are in.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Others gave really good advice.

I will just add this: I've traveled the Southern State for years along a variety of different lengths and unless you have very off hours (I forgot what you said you do) the commute on the SS from Deer Park to East Meadow would blow the big one during rush hour.

Can you make the Levittown house into something you CAN love? Unfortunately, you can't add a basement.

This from a girl who is slightly partial to Suffolk.

Good luck with your decision!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Honestly, I would wait and try to find something you love in Levittown. You should live where you're comfortable and I think the future childcare situation is important to think about.

Many more houses will be coming on the market soon and you will be able to find the right house in the right location with patience.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I would live where you are comfortable. If the levittown house is not for you, then keep looking in the area. There are loads of homes for sale in Levittown and Island trees. There is a Large home for sale on my block

3 or 4 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
2 fire places
2 car garage
Huge Yard
Completely renovated inside and out
Roof - Siding and Brick work was done last year

FM me and I will give you the MLSLI number

Also Salk / Mac Arthur Schools - South of Hempstead tpke

Scott

Message edited 1/30/2011 12:05:26 PM.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Message edited 1/30/2011 9:55:14 AM.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

Location, location location. You can change a house, you can't change a location. Make sure you love where you are.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

We live and work in nassau. I wanted to look in suffolk because you def got more for your $$ there. DH refused to look in suffolk, and he grew up there! He was not willing to add on the extra half hour to his commute. His reasoning was his father did it for 25 years and was miserable so he was not willing to budge on this. We ended up in Seaford and we're very happy

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

My advice is to keep the DP house in the back of your mind, and keep looking. We looked for 3 years before we found THE house. We saw a lot that we liked along the way, but there was always something a little wrong. The house we bought is by no means perfect, however, there was no question that this was the house for us.

We both increased our commutes, but the house made it worth it to us. Child care and closeness to parents was also a positive.

In any house you look at think about potential renovations, ability to extend, proximity to neighbors, school district, local shopping, taxes, etc.

And as much of a pain it could be, bring lots of people to look at it with you. They will see things that you never did. You may not like what they tell you, but it will help to inform your decision.

You will find the house you love. And if the DP house is meant for you, it will still be there! I truly believe that! We lost a bid on a house we really loved and were devastated. Thank goodness we did because we found much better!

Good Luck! And enjoy the process!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I've always had somewhat of a commute - it's just something that you get used to and don't think about.

When DH and I were looking at houses, I wanted to move back to Nassau because I was tired of commuting into Garden City from Suffolk. DH wanted to stay in Suffolk.

In the end, we bought a house we liked A LOT - didn't love - in Suffolk. Why? We fell in love the with the neighborhood and felt that it would be a great place to raise a family. Even if we don't stay in this particular house, we will be staying in this neighborhood for a LONG time.

My commute went from 45 minutes to over an hour - then about a month ago, my office MOVED to Suffolk County - my commute is now 20 minutes!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I don't think you should think about the commute when you make your decison. I would compare the 2 houses and see what you are willing to compromise on. Although I am not going to lie, we bought a house 5 min from work and it's a dream. I love the Deer Park area - grew up in that area. I'm not familiar with Levittown but I think you generally get more for your dollar out in Suffolk...

ETA: I think you should look into the Deer Park area a little more because you want to be familar with the area and make sure you like it before you make a decision....

Message edited 1/30/2011 11:49:07 AM.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

As someone who moved 3 years ago from Levittown to Ronkonokoma, I would stay with the Levittown house because it is where your friends and family are.
When I moved, friends and family all said it was no big deal and we would still see each other It does not happen. It is a big deal to commute to my family's home in F'dale. At times I feel extremely isolated.
Even though it seems like anyone would be willing to go it for on paper, but real life gets in the way. So if having friends/family nearby is a must, stay in the area.

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

I may be in the minority but I think your commute should be a factor in deciding where you live. It sounds like you are talking about an hour or more each way if you bought the DP house. That would be too long for me. I would keep looking in Levittown until you find a house you love. Good luck!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

to me if both places were pretty much the same

i would go with the shorter commute

i know jobs dont stay the same but you might be miserable in the meantime

i went from having a 6 mile to a 20 mile commute and i am absolutely miserable!!!

especially if you start having kids soon that time is valuable

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

WOW. Once again- thank you! The well thought out responses are very helpful in making a decision.

I'm bringing my parents to see the two houses today- so we'll see how they weigh in. DH is very much for the Deer Park house, but I'm a little more split...almost leaning toward the Levittown house.

We'll see what happens!

Re: Homeowners- need your advice!

It's the biggest purchase you'll ever make. If you're not 100% happy, keep looking. There are so many houses for sale out there.

We chose the location we wanted and then looked for a house that fit us in that town, I personally think that's the best way to go. You can change the house, you can't change the neighborhood.