Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $647,000, which is pretty steep. With a population of 36,353, Commack is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great.
17 upvotes
20 Replies
Alexander Stewart
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Lydia Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Greyson L.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Emilia Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Isla Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Jameson B.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
32 upvotes
Connor H.
Moved here from Portland about 5 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Josiah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Everett Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Mateo Robinson
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Eastside area are solid. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Naomi S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
22 upvotes
Ava Murphy
accurate
19 upvotes
Barbara P.
+1
18 upvotes
native_nathan14
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
real_ruby35
spot on
13 upvotes
Oliver B.
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Deborah J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. North schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Skylar Green
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Nolan M.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
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