Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

The good, the bad, the ugly....

I need to verify, but I believe the house goes to Reinhart Elementary and JFK HS.


Is there a downside to "south" instead of plain Bellmore or "north?"

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Well, generally the taxes are higher in South Bellmore and so is the homeowners because you're super close to the water. Some places won't even insure you if you're on the south side of Sunrise. I know the house we looked at was on Alder and you could see the canal from the front yard. We would've had a problem there.

The schools are excellent but JFK is ummmmm, higher end than Mepham or Calhoun. I think thats a nice way to put it. Its competitive for the kids there...I would say that driving a BMW for a first car there is common.

Aside from that South Bellmore is great! We looked there but we found a house on the North side that we liked better and was more affordable.

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

I live in Merrick. My kids will go to Calhoun but I am familiar with S. Bellmore.

It is obviously a NICE area but I have friends who went to JFK and said it was rough if you couldn't "keep up with the Jones'" If you drive past the HS most kids drive nicer cars than the teachers Range Rover, BMW's, etc. At the same time the kids at Calhoun have the same...we laugh that our kids are going to be the po' boys in Merrick

ETA: The only other downside is taxes. I dont even live in S. Merrick and my taxes went from $9,500 when we closed in 2006 and are currently just over $13k Unfortunately b/c we bought in 2006 at the height of the market we can't sell and our stuck. I am praying our taxes dont continue to increase so much.

Also, S. Merrick also may have higher HO insurance if you can even get a company b/c of the new flood lines.

Message edited 3/22/2010 12:49:41 PM.

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Posted by jellybean1420

I live in Merrick. My kids will go to Calhoun but I am familiar with S. Bellmore.

It is obviously a NICE area but I have friends who went to JFK and said it was rough if you couldn't "keep up with the Jones'" If you drive past the HS most kids drive nicer cars than the teachers Range Rover, BMW's, etc. At the same time the kids at Calhoun have the same...we laugh that our kids are going to be the po' boys in Merrick

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Posted by KittyGags

Posted by jellybean1420

I live in Merrick. My kids will go to Calhoun but I am familiar with S. Bellmore.

It is obviously a NICE area but I have friends who went to JFK and said it was rough if you couldn't "keep up with the Jones'" If you drive past the HS most kids drive nicer cars than the teachers Range Rover, BMW's, etc. At the same time the kids at Calhoun have the same...we laugh that our kids are going to be the po' boys in Merrick

haha i love that we have the same feedback!

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Posted by jellybean1420

Posted by KittyGags

Posted by jellybean1420

I live in Merrick. My kids will go to Calhoun but I am familiar with S. Bellmore.

It is obviously a NICE area but I have friends who went to JFK and said it was rough if you couldn't "keep up with the Jones'" If you drive past the HS most kids drive nicer cars than the teachers Range Rover, BMW's, etc. At the same time the kids at Calhoun have the same...we laugh that our kids are going to be the po' boys in Merrick

haha i love that we have the same feedback!

Do you live in the area too?

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Thanks, girls!

Aside from 'keeping up with the Joneses' though, it's a GOOD school? I don't know that we'd be there to utilize the HS, but I just want to know for resale that it's quality :)

I thought flood insurance would be high - the homeowners were there when we saw the house and they said it's not in a flood zone so they don't require it. I'd want it though, being a little south of Merrick Rd. Definitely something to consider.

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

i would certinaly try to drive by the area after a storm to see the flooding. my brother lives south of merrick and while his house doesn't flood, the streets nearby do!

i'm another n. bellmore girl and love the area!

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

The schools are excellent. I'm zoned for Mepham, but I know that Kennedy has an excellent reputation. All of the Bellmore-Merrick schools are good. I agree with what everyone said about "keeping up with the Joneses," but I'm sure that my kids will experience that in their own way at Mepham too.

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

I m a Kenidy Gradoouat
Klas of 1987

ha ha
Just Kidding

I went there - grew up in S. Merrick and I can tell you that yes even today those issues exist but it's the parents that buy into it. Yes the parking lot always had way nicer cars than the teachers.
You can ask Racheeeee too but you find your niche! I'm sure it's the same in alot of areas especially those where there are more haves than have nots.

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

My sister in law lives in South bellmore and she loves it. the downsides are the taxes are high and the schools are competitive....her kids are still in elementary school so she doesnt have to worry about competition amongst students yet.

Where in South Bellmore are you looking? I know there is a really affordable house for sale on her block.

Scott

Re: Tell me about South Bellmore please :)

Kennedy is a wonderful school-I worked at Calhoun last year, and I have friends who work there now..the academics are very strong, and they joke about everything being "the kennedy way"..both south bellmore and south merrick go there

It's a great area though-close to the beaches, beautiful homes, nice shopping..