Been living here since 2007. With a population of 37,751, Central Islip is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Anyone in a similar situation? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Violet Cook
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Jace Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
portlandvibes2023
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
violet_lover
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Isabelle Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
20 upvotes
Skylar Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Olivia M.
facts
13 upvotes
Logan C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Leonardo Carter
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in North area are excellent. Kids love it here.
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