Have you decided whether you want to live in Nassau County or Suffolk County? Each has its own advantages. Nassau County is closer to the city, so if you commute to Manhattan for work, you should take that into consideration. While western Suffolk is similar in a lot of ways to Nassau County, as you head east, things begin to change. It becomes less congested, although it is more so than it was only several years ago. As you go further out, it begins to get more rural.
A big thing, which I never realized before I moved out here myself, is the difference between living on the North Shore versus living on the South Shore. People have a pretty strong opinion about which one they prefer. I can't even explain it, other than to say each has unique characteristics. Take a ride along both to see what I mean.
You also need to figure out the type of community in which you want to live. If you know people living in different towns, talk to them. Communities, even those adjacent to each other, have different personalities. In some towns, you'll find that everyone knows everyone else. In others, you'll find that people barely say hello to their neighbors.
Do formal research as well. Newsday'sReal Estate Section provides profiles of various Long Island communities. You'll also find links to school report cards, crime reports, recent home sales, and environmental reports.
Don't abandon the idea of living in a particular community because you feel it is too expensive. When my husband and I began house hunting, we knew the community we wanted to live in. We also knew how expensive it was. We settled for a smaller house than we could have gotten elsewhere for the same price. A friend of mine bought a house on a main street, because it was cheaper than buying a similar house in the same town, but on a quieter street. It's all about what you're willing to sacrifice.
For families, the quality of the local schools is an important factor to consider when thinking about where to settle down. Take a look at School Report Cards from the New York State Department of Education.
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