SperlingViews - Bellport, New_york

Bellport Village is inhabited by people whose families have lived here for upwards of three generations. (they still call certain houses by the names of people who have been dead for over a hundred years) Sounds like it must have a lot going on to keep them here right? Well, that's true but they are not welcoming to newcomers. And a snobby group of sailers don't like the rest of the community. Also if you are a single woman this is the WORST place to live because most single men in Bellport are gay (they're really nice but....not interested in women). This is a great place for a gay guy; horrible place for a straight woman. Actually, straight men would like it here because there are a LOT of nice hetero single women starved to meet a nice hereo man. If you golf, you'll more easily make social connections. (but again, mostly marrieds) Families will like it here - there are outdoor concerts, holiday parades - all fun. But the public school has chronic problems with racial hostility. Many in the village send their children to private schools, so add on another $10K for education. On top of the high Brookhaven Town taxes (about $7K/year) is another village tax (close to $1K/year). If this sounds good, go for it. I can't wait to leave. [read more...]

Bellport is a lovely, waterfront community with the usual unaffordable homes nearest the water, overpriced homes further north, and people living in poverty north of that. (I live in the mid-range area) Bellport is a very friendly village with a live theatre, some good restaurants (...and also some really bad ones that foster some undesirable customers, i.e. drug use), overall it's a very nice place to live. However, Bellport, like all of Long Island is very expensive, with a modest 3-br home valued at $450-$500K. Taxes for a house like that are about $7K/year. Long Island, in general, is not a friendly place to live; people are competitive, drive like maniacs. I'm thinking seriously of moving to a friendlier, warmer, less expensive area. (if you've got a ton of money, Bellport and lots of places on LI are great; otherwise, look elsewhere....it's not an easy place to live.) A friend of mine who left the NY area to move to California, said that living in NY is like getting a million little papercuts every day...nothing life threatening, but not fun either. She's right. (please remove any source of my identity)[read more...]