Old Bethpage isn't called "old" for nothing. With a timeline stretching back to the mid-19th century, the area houses its own living history museum at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. And, if a museum isn't your thing, the U.S. Open has hosted several tournaments right there in town.
Old Bethpage lies near the border of Nassau and Suffolk County on Long Island. And that is some great news! Not only can you hop on a train to the city, but you can also hightail it out east where farms, beaches, and lighthouses abound. With a population of just over 5,000, Old Bethpage packs a lot of personality into 4 square miles. Home to several parks, golfing, shopping, restaurants, and its own museum, it's hard to find a reason to go anywhere else, but you will. That's because the town is ridiculously convenient to all that Long Island has to offer.
Moving to Old Bethpage
Old Bethpage is suburbia incarnate with more open space than most Long Island towns in Nassau County could ever hope for. It's right near Levittown, the place where William Levitt designed and replicated a home to make the first, classic suburban town. As you might expect, Old Bethpage is made up of primarily single-family homes, but apartment homes can still be found. They're just going to be in the form of units within homes or whole house rentals. And what is wrong with having all the benefits of home ownership without the cost of keeping the place up? Anyway, here is what Old Bethpage has to offer you to find apartments.
Houses
Mainly single-family homes and row houses adorn the streets of Old Bethpage. Reasonably priced at Long Island rates, these homes vary in style from single to multiple floor. Most of these homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s when the area really started to boom, so don't expect to see the farms and barns from the days of old here. That's what the Old Bethpage Village Restoration is for.
Condos and Townhouses
Bethpage Commons is the main development to purchase or rent condos and townhouses from. It's a co-op so there are some fees involved in exchange for maintenance on the property and other odds and ends. The Commons offers a variety of different styles to choose from to meet your needs. If you're renting a home here, make sure you get in writing how your landlord is handling the miscellaneous fees that come with renting in that development.
Aside from Bethpage Commons, there are some townhouses that are offered by residents in the row houses. Be sure to check those out as well for another option that may come with fewer fees.
Apartments
Suffice it to say that if you're looking for an apartment in Old Bethpage, you're looking at renting from individuals, not complexes. The great news is that you'll find many people willing to rent out their condos, townhouses, and homes.
When you're dealing with individual landlords versus complexes, make sure to get a clear picture of what kinds of utilities are included in the rent, who is responsible for maintaining the interior and exterior, have a contract drawn up and signed, and make sure you have renter's insurance. Old Bethpage offers many rental properties, so you always need to cover your assets.
Home Shopping
You'll want to familiarize yourself with where exactly you want to live in Old Bethpage, but be ready to move fast if you find something. Long Island real estate can be snatched up quickly, and because Old Bethpage isn't known for its apartment complexes, you need to keep a sharp eye on what's out there and be ready to pounce on it to lock it in. In other words, have your deposit at the ready. Plan to have a month's rent and a security deposit available, just to be safe. And make sure your credit report is nice and clear.
Old Bethpage Neighborhoods
The true beauty of Old Bethpage is that no matter where you go, you have more open space than the average Nassau County town. However, the town doesn't really have any neighborhoods of its own, as it's basically its own neighborhood! With parks and recreational spots abounding, it offers an amazing combination of relaxation, convenience, and fun. Even rental apts benefit from the tremendous space.
While the southern part of Old Bethpage is taken up by the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Battle Row County Park, and Bethpage State Park, you'll find the residential areas mainly to the north extending off of Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage Road, and Bethpage Sweet-Hollow Road. These are the main drags for the area and housing is off of these.
Living in Old Bethpage
Old Bethpage really offers a unique style of living, particularly for Long Island. It is centrally located, offering easy access by car to just about anywhere on Long Island. It's connected by bus transportation through the Nassau Inter County Express (NICE) to help you move easily within and beyond the town. And, arguably, the most convenient benefit to Old Bethpage is that it's a few short miles from the Long Island Railroad's (LIRR) Bethpage train station.
This close proximity to the railroad and the location of the railroad itself allow travelers access to nearly any portion of Long Island stretching from New York City all the way east to Northport and the Shelter Island Ferry. Hop the train and you can skip the Long Island Expressway (LIE) at rush hour. Relax, read a book, or take a nap while the train does all the work.
But just because you can go anywhere doesn't mean you need to. Take advantage of the world-class golf courses, restaurant, hiking trails, or picnic facilities at Bethpage State Park. Jump back in time when you tour mid-19th century Long Island at the Old Bethpage Restoration and see what life was like in the 1800s. Welcome friends and camp out at the Battle Row Campground where tourists come to stay and camp with their RVs and tents. And if you're hungry, stop in for some Italian cuisine at Villa Monte or order some Chinese takeout from Chan's Garden. If you're looking for some hardcore shopping, head over to the Walt Whitman or Roosevelt Field malls. You will not be at a loss for retail stores that offer everything you could need.
So while there isn't much reason to leave your apartment in Old Bethpage, the convenient location and array of public transportation at your disposal to get out will ensure that you never ever are looking for something to do.