6.9 out of 10

Valley Stream

40.6614016593809 -73.7061531319168
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Shopping Options
Not great for
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Cost of Living
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"A diverse village with great shopping and recreation"

Valley Stream is an incorporated village in southwestern Nassau County. It also includes unincorporated areas outside the village, also referred to as Valley Stream. Approximately 38,000 people reside in the village, which occupies 3.5 square miles. Incorporated in 1925, the area began as a vacation community, but evolved into a year-round residence when many visitors decided to settle in the area full-time. Over the years, the area has become more ethnically diverse.

Sunrise Highway is the primary road across the town, which is located south of the Southern State Parkway. Valley Stream’s location near the Queens border gives it easy access to the borough’s parkways, the Belt and the Cross Island. Bus routes travel along Sunrise, West Merrick Road, and North and South Central Avenue. Long Island Railroad service is available at two locations: within the village at Valley Stream and Gibson, located in the unincorporated area. Travel time to Manhattan is just under forty minutes. On the other side of the county border, Rosedale provides another station option.

The Green Acres Mall, which is the country’s 26th largest, is located in South Valley Stream, and is a shopping destination for western Nassau and Queens. Sears, Macy’s, Kohl’s and JC Penney anchor the mall. Other local and national retailers are located along the area’s major roads.

Recreational opportunities are plentiful. Valley Stream State Park, the town’s largest, has picnic and playground areas, as well as kid-friendly nature trails and an exercise course with 15 fitness stations. Within the village boundaries, Hendrickson Park also has a playground, mini-golf course, bike and walking paths and a pool. Village Green Park has a band shell, and holds summer concerts. The village oversees numerous programs for residents. Camp Barrett, for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, is a popular program which organizes field trips during the summer.

Three elementary school districts and one central high school district serve the village and the surrounding unincorporated areas. All four districts are ethnically diverse. Valley Stream 13 has 4 schools, with a total of 2,200 students. Six percent of the students live in poverty. Results on standardized tests are very good. Valley Stream 24 is smaller, with 1,100 students, but has a poverty rate of almost double that of District 13. Scores in District 24 are slightly lower than District 13’s. District 30, with 1,400 students, has a 19% poverty rate. The majority of students at all three elementary schools met standards on state exams. The Valley Stream Central High School District has almost 5,000 students. Valley Stream North and Valley Stream South serve students in grades seven through twelve, while Memorial Junior High School has grades 7 through 9. Students later move on to Valley Stream Central High School to finish grades ten through twelve.

Valley Stream is very affordable. Current prices begin around $200,000, and range up to $800,000. Between the incorporated village and the surrounding parts of Valley Stream, there is a great deal of inventory. Most of the homes were constructed during the 1940s and 1950s, though older homes can be found. A small number of older homes date back to the turn of last century. Coops and condos are well-priced, with one bedrooms available for under $100,000.
Pros
  • Close to shopping
  • Affordable homes
  • Close to NYC
  • Parks
Cons
  • High taxes
  • Congested
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Hipsters
  • Beach Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"A step down from near by Franklin square"

This is a very Italian town that is similar to Franklin Square but F.S is more maintained and nice. valley Stream has its own LIRR station. Around here it gets congested. There is air noise from nearby JFK Airport. Shopping options are excellent in Valley Stream is Green Acres Mall where you could find stores like Kmart and Walmart. This town has the charm of a suburban lifestyle and a urban vibe to it. Demographics in this town have changed. If you are looking for a more peaceful quiet town with less congestion and better schools being a family frendly neighborhood look into Franklin Square house prices are around the $430,000 mark for a 3-4bedroom cape. LISTEN TO THIS FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS. If you are looking in valley stream just don't anymore because you can get the same house with a lower price in queens with lower taxes in a more commuter friendly town in queens examples: Bayside, Whitestone, Howard beach, Flushing, College Point or Middle Village. if your willing to pay higher taxes and a higher price but even more of a suburban feel keep looking in Valley Stream
Pros
  • Close to NYC
  • Own Train Station
  • Parks
Cons
  • Diverse
  • Some crime
  • Congested
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students

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