(excerpt from theisland360.com)
My wife and I know a successful, young couple that live in a spacious Manhattan apartment. They have lots of dining and entertainment options, a doorman and great views of a park.
Best of all, they roll out of bed, hop on a subway and they’re at the office in a matter of minutes. They’ve got it made, yet everyone’s debating how long it will be before they move to Long Island.
You guessed it. This dynamic duo now has a newborn and as with many young families, conversations turn to where best to raise a family.
Of course, they’re dutifully fighting it. Hoboken has a “hip little downtown.” Parts of Brooklyn have a “good vibe” but ultimately, the conclusion is always the same: growing families need safe communities and good schools.
Education has been part of this equation for as long as I can remember. I’ve known people who paid top dollar for drafty old houses with bad plumbing on busy streets, just to get into a particular school district.
And background, faith, or politics don’t matter; we are united in wanting what’s best for our children.
Real estate agents say this is key to Long Island’s robust real estate market. We’re a stone’s throw away from Manhattan and boast some of the best schools in the country. That’s an enviable distinction but one that could now be in jeopardy.