8.4 out of 10

Wantagh

40.6673486767823 -73.5106370981114
Great for
  • Childcare
  • Eating Out
  • Internet Access
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parking
Not great for
  • Cost of Living
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Beach Lovers
  • Retirees

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • 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 3/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Real Long Island"

As many people that live on Long Island know that some parts of Long Island have changed over the past 15 years, Western Nassau mainly but there are still wonderful towns in western nassau. The heart of the suburban long is,and lifestyle is in the Wantagh, Levittown area, Obviously it isn't gonna change, it'll stay the same. Wantagh has a great school district, exclellent community amenities and a great place to raise a family. It is predominantly italian American and Irish American around here. Many people are buying smaller homes from the 50s in Wantagh for around the 300k mark and expanding and dorming them into larger homes. Lots range from 60*100-100*100 I would recommend to stay in downtown Wantagh or northern Wantagh. It's not that the part by the water is bad its just your prone to flooding and now that our climate is changing it would be safe to stay a little bit more inland. Overall I would recommend moving to Wantagh. I would definitely fell comfortable raising a family here!!!!
Pros
  • Excellent school district
  • Great family community
  • Proximity to the beach
Cons
  • High property taxes
  • Traffic
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Gateway to Jones Beach...and much more"

Wantagh, a hamlet of 18,871 in the Town of Hempstead, is known as “The Gateway to Jones Beach,” but it has many other assets making it a sought-after place to live. Like many Long Island towns, its name is derived from its Native American origins. The Long Island Rail Road has a station in Wantagh, and makes the trip to Penn Station in about forty-five minutes.

Located between the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway and the Wantagh Parkway, the 4.1 square mile town has ample shopping and dining, and surrounding areas are easily accessible via the parkways. Wantagh has a good nightlife scene, with several bars located on and near Wantagh Avenue. Mulcahy’s is probably the best known, as it brings in large crowds looking to hear live music.

The town sees its share of traffic along the main thoroughfares, and most of the homes are built close together on relatively small lots. However, residents can find plenty of wide open space at the town’s many parks, including Jones Beach State Park, whose six and a half miles of shoreline draws visitors from all over the region. Wantagh Park occupies 111 acres and offers excellent views of East Bay, along with playing fields, walking and biking trails, and a pool complex. Cedar Creek Park has 259 acres spread across Wantagh and neighboring Seaford. In 2006, its playground was voted “Long Island’s Best” by the Long Island Press. Along with playing fields and tennis and basketball courts, the park has a year-round roller rink and an archery range. Closer experiences with nature can be found at Twin Lakes Preserve, a 58-acre passive recreation and fishing area, and Mill Pond has 15 acres with a fishing area and walking trails. Forest City Community Park, located in the northwest neighborhood of the same name, has two pools and a playground.

The majority of students in public school attend Wantagh’s public schools. The district is highly successful, with 99.9% of 2011 graduates attending two or four-year colleges. Regents exams are offered to qualified middle school students; the most recent available data shows a 100% passing rate in all three subjects tested. Arts programs and sports are a priority. North Wantagh and Forest City are located in the Levittown School District, and a small percentage attends Seaford and North Bellmore schools. All three districts are well-regarded.

Residents value the town’s history. The Wantagh Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. There are three structures: the original train station, built in 1885, a train parlor car, “The Jamaica,” built in 1912, and the original post office, built in 1907.

Most of the homes were built in the 1950s, but older and newer homes are available. Homes styles vary, but include colonials, ranches, capes and splits, with the occasional Victorian. There are also a few condominium complexes. In recent years, prices have dropped but taxes remain high.

Many of Wantagh’s residents are the second and third generation to live there. It has all the qualities of a great family town, but its nightlife and proximity to the city also make it good for singles.
Pros
  • Great family community
  • Excellent school district
  • Proximity to the beach
Cons
  • High property taxes
  • Traffic
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Beach Lovers

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