Plainedge started out as the center for raising poultry and cattle, but you would never know it today. Far from their rural beginnings, today this nearby suburb of New York City is one of the most sought after towns on Long Island.
Although located only about 26 miles from New York City, it still takes about an hour to drive between Plainedge and the Big Apple. Fortunately, those living in the hamlet find little reason to 'get away' every so often considering they've built a community with crime rates about a fourth of New York's overall and that has such a pleasant atmosphere that most available rentals are off the market quicker than they were put on it.
Moving to Plainedge
If you're looking for housing for rent in Plainedge, you're going to have to do some preparation. The community only takes up about 1.4 square miles, but its population is around 8,817, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Rest assured, this isn't some slum where people are packing themselves in just because housing is cheap and rundown. If you manage to swing even a studio apartment for rent in this area, count yourself lucky. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of living in this awesome area.
When to start looking: Ever see the movie The Time Traveler's Wife? Well, if you ever meet her, you should ask her to go back a few months and warn you to start looking then. There are incredibly few apartments to go around in this area. After all, it's a hamlet on Long Island, so it's not like it'll be expanding any time soon. The housing that exists there is pretty much what's going to stay there, so if you don't start beating the bushes at least two months in advance of your move, you're going to end up living somewhere far less impressive than Plainedge.
When to make the move: This is usually the point where we'd warn you to avoid moving in during the high tourism season for New York City. You're likely to be told to avoid the winter since average high temperatures don't even climb above 50 degrees from December through March. You might consider skipping all of that advice, though; because if you manage to find open city apartments in Plainedge, you need to jump at the chance. For instance, if you were to see a "For Rent" sign outside of an apartment there now, you wouldn't be blamed if you just jumped on it. That sort of opening and opportunity may not come around very often, so you better get it while you can.
Plainedge Neighborhoods
It only takes one Google Earth view to see exactly why Plainedge is so full all the time. The homes and neighborhoods are absolutely immaculate. There's really not an area where you aren't likely to end up with a backyard swimming pool. Every neighborhood here is beautiful, but with the prices you're going to encounter here, you can't go off living in more than one neighborhood. Unless you're Donald Trump, in which case, sorry about the hair. Just check out what all these areas have to offer.
Southern Plainedge: This area is centered on John H. West School, and like the other areas in Plainedge, the homes here are immaculate. Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway also cuts through the neighborhood, so commuting anywhere is simple.
West Plainedge: Just to the west of Plainedge, you'll find Yorkshire Village Apartments, a rarity in the Plainedge area since most places to rent are large homes. You're also next to Route 24, so there are countless shops, including a Walgreens and Jiffy Lube, where you can get almost anything you need.
Northern Plainedge: Nice houses, yadda, yadda, yadda. That's true everywhere. You've also got a Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, and since the buses run along Hempstead Turnpike, you can get around without even owning a vehicle.
Cloverleaf Interchange: The area where Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and Hempstead Turnpike may get a little loud because of traffic, but it's nowhere near as busy as large roads in other areas of New York. Add that to your proximity to North Shore LIJ Medical and your very own Dunkin Donuts away from the busy northern area, and you should be excited to live here.
Living in Plainedge
Okay, it is true: it may be hard to tell the difference between neighborhoods in Plainedge. After all, it's a bunch of really nice houses in really nice neighborhoods. There are obviously different things around, but here's hoping you want to know what else the hamlet offers. Well, plenty! Just check out some of these awesome features. And if this doesn't do it for you, surely there are some insanely more expensive and smaller apartments you could enjoy in New York City.
A Land of Adventure: Better known as Adventureland. A quick 10 minute drive and you'll realize that living in classing subdivisions doesn't mean not having fun. It's literally an amusement park minutes from your home!
History comes Alive: Go check out the African American Museum or the St. Paul's Church National Historic Site. You could use a little history to keep you grounded when you're living in one of these gorgeous places. Don't let it go to your head.
A Bite of the Big Apple: Yes, New York City is about an hour away, but there are people in California who would have to drive 40 hours straight to visit the Big Apple. Count your blessings! Also, you can use public transit, buses and subways alike, to get from Plainedge all the way to Manhattan.