[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

I am so curious what it's like to live on Long Island or New York in general! What are the rental prices in your building/neighborhood and what do you get for that price? I know you drive, but how is traffic and how far do you have to go? Anything else you want to share?

I've always wanted to go to NYC. The only other city that I've been to that might be comparable is San Francisco, but I have a feeling that it's very different because the areas of NY are much more dense and larger in general.

[Oriyan]

Well the city prices are ridiculous. You will get a tiny 300sq foot studio for between 1500-2000 depending on where it is. 2 Bedrooms in the city will go for about 2500+ depending on size, condition and location. My ex used to own an apartment on the upper east side -- 1 million for 1 bedroom -- 800 sg ft.

Brooklyn and Queens prices are better, you can find a 2 bedroom for 1200 in some Brooklyn areas - but neither place is where I would want to raise a kid. Its loud, polluted, high crime, etc.

Long Island is a little better but not much. I pay 1400 for a 1 bedroom that is 800 sq ft and heat/water is included in my rent. 1 bedrooms go anywhere from 1000-1800 depending on size/location/condition. 2 bedrooms from 1200-2000+ depending again on size/location/condition. Houses can be rented (no utilities included) for over 2300+ depending on size/location/condition.

Electric is expensive on the Island. In the summer, my bill is near 300 dollars, in the winter around 120. Internet/TV/Phone is 120-160 (goes up every year and depends on the carrier). If water is not included in your rent its usually really cheap like 25 dollars every 2-3 months. Heat is also expensive whether its gas or oil. My parents pay 600 dollars for oil every 6-8 weeks in the winter.

Traffic during rush hour (7-9am and 3-7pm) is a nightmare. All of the highways and main roads are always filled with cars. To drive 25 miles to work without traffic should take me 25 minutes. It usually takes me 50+ with traffic. In the city you just don't drive. You walk or take the subway.

NY is always getting blizzards so you have to be prepared to deal with 2 feet of snow at a clip in the winter. And now, we also have to be vigilant about hurricanes cause our last direct hit was 25 years ago. Everything here is expensive and the only thing we have going for us is we have nice beaches.

Gas right now is 2.99 gallon.

If it seems that I am anti- NY you would be right. I have lived here 27 years and I am ready to leave. It's too expensive for young people starting out, everyone is rude and inconsiderate, too much traffic, pollution.... yeah. My son spent 22 days inside the summer from day care because of air quality alerts (kids are not allowed outside in them in day cares down here).

Oh and house prices on Long Island -- Closer to the city runs about 350,000 (small) to over 10 million. Out by me housing prices start at 250,000.

Anything else? :-)

[alicenwonderland]

lol i was about to answer... but Rochester is a good distance from NYC

[*Mrs.J.2011*]

Massachusetts is unfortunately VERY similar to where Sam is. Well, from Central (where I live) to Eastern MA (Boston) to Cape Cod and "the Islands" (aka Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket.) On the other hand, Western MA (aka the Berkshires) closer to Vermont and "Upstate" New York is less expensive to live.