Random thought, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $110,166 in Central Islip. The median home value here is around $405,000, which is pretty steep. With a population of 37,751, Central Islip is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $405,000 on average. Rent is about $2,106/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
Pros:
- Low taxes
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Limited dining options
- Boring for young people
- Not enough green space
Thoughts? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Daniel Moore
yep
40 upvotes
John Turner
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Owen
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Claire King
underrated comment
31 upvotes
Elijah Hall
bump
25 upvotes
Megan H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Allison
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are improving. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Jameson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is decent in most areas.
20 upvotes
stl_nicholas
I'm a writer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Emma Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
caleb_papa
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to New York it's average.
7 upvotes
Caleb Torres
This.
6 upvotes
Clara Cox
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
2 upvotes
Everett Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 38, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
All Countries
