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Some (maybe many?) people view Levittown as a 'white trash' town; I think it's just a reputation, not necessarily based in fact, that just carries forward. It's something I've always wondered about as well.
I only learned of this when I got into high school and somebody on the track team (it was a district-wide team then) told me about a meet the year before where one of the schools wrote in our sand/long jump pit 'white trash' (apparently the meet was against Uniondale and East Meadow). That person then told me about a football championship game between Division and Garden City (maybe in '96?) where the Garden City fans brought signs that said things like 'take out the trash' and had other allusions to Levittown residents being trashy. Anecdotal so take it for what it's worth.
A friend said an acquaintance told him people look down on Levittown because 'your houses were built in 5 minutes.' So I guess the relatively small plots and small houses, a perceived cheap housing stock, play into it.
I've also been told that when Levittown was created, people saw it as a dumping ground for loser g.i's who wouldn't amount to anything.
I met someone in law school who was from a neighboring town, when she found out I was from Levittown she told me she lived in fear of Levittown and didn't think she would have survived at MacArthur. I asked what scared her about it, she said she just heard crazy things about MacArthur.
Levittown is not diverse in the racial/ethnic sense, but I find it odd that other Long Islanders would frown upon Levittown for that when most areas probably consist of a similar racial makeup. I guess the implication is that people in Levittown are racists? According to this website, Levittown is 81.2% white alone, while Seaford is 91.4%, so I doubt that's it, at least in your father in law's case.
I've heard the teachers' strike, I think in the 1970's, hurt Levittown's reputation, but I don't know if that's still the case. Levittown schools seem pretty well regarded these days, I think they 'ranked' above Seaford the last time a list ranking LI schools came out.
But then I know people who seem to relish in this reputation and act like tough guys looking for fights, and an Asian acquaintance once told me he felt uncomfortable walking around Levittown (he lived here too) that he felt like people stared at him, regarded him as an outsider.
Agree with all of this. Ltown has always had this rep among some people in Nassau. I never understood it. I think it's a decent working/middle class area; An affordable, "safe" buy, with good schools. Taxes are on the high side because of lack of high end homes and commercial ratables. Not much in the way of shopping or amenities except for the strip malls and shopping centers on the Pike. Not much in the way of good eats, either. The homes are pretty crappy with most having no basements, awkward layouts, boilers in the kitchens...Now that I think about it, Levittown blows! Haha. Just kidding.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjretrac
You know, Mits-- I actually agree with you. Never thought I'd say that, actually.
Now I know I'm going to get flamed really bad for this, but I'm going to go ahead and say it...
If Levittown was a black or hispanic neighborhood, its reputation on this board would be much worse.
If Levittown were a black or hispanic nabe, it wouldn't be the same town it is now. Your supposition is DOA. Not sure why you're bringing race into it. If anything, this disproves what you're trying to say about racial slants. Ltown is mostly white (although it is diversifying lately with 10%+ hispanic) and it's looked down upon by some people.
Easy answer, Levittown was built with no basements to provide cheap housing to returning veterans after WWII. The houses were cheap, and this image has followed the area.
Also being from Brooklyn, picture that some of the low life's of Nassau live in Levittown, as you are from Brooklyn think of why you left Brooklyn. Some of Brooklyn (East NY, Bushwick, the hookers around the corner from McDonalds on Broadway near Flushing ave, right by the hospital. The reason you keep your car windows up and doors locked when driving through that area. And why you tried to avoid the area.)
Ok, Levittown is not that bad, but there are drugs and low life's in Levittown more than most L.I. areas, except (Terrace Ave, Hempstead). When I worked in Brooklyn I did not see the drugs, only the results, just as when I lived in Levittown I did not see the drugs, just the results. While the schools of L.I. have hopefully only 10% drug addicts, Levittown is at 20%, Brooklyn has more like 30% to 50%.
You will not find Professional people in Levittown, it is a working persons town, while some of their children have gone on to a better life, some of their children have stayed and lower the area's reputation. The best and brightest leave, what remains is what Levittown is know for.
Ask a Nassau Police Officer how Levittown keeps them busy, then you will understand.
Easy answer, Levittown was built with no basements to provide cheap housing to returning veterans after WWII. The houses were cheap, and this image has followed the area.
Also being from Brooklyn, picture that some of the low life's of Nassau live in Levittown, as you are from Brooklyn think of why you left Brooklyn. Some of Brooklyn (East NY, Bushwick, the hookers around the corner from McDonalds on Broadway near Flushing ave, right by the hospital. The reason you keep your car windows up and doors locked when driving through that area. And why you tried to avoid the area.)
Ok, Levittown is not that bad, but there are drugs and low life's in Levittown more than most L.I. areas, except (Terrace Ave, Hempstead). When I worked in Brooklyn I did not see the drugs, only the results, just as when I lived in Levittown I did not see the drugs, just the results. While the schools of L.I. have hopefully only 10% drug addicts, Levittown is at 20%, Brooklyn has more like 30% to 50%.
You will not find Professional people in Levittown, it is a working persons town, while some of their children have gone on to a better life, some of their children have stayed and lower the area's reputation. The best and brightest leave, what remains is what Levittown is know for.
Ask a Nassau Police Officer how Levittown keeps them busy, then you will understand.
Aren't working people & professionals sort of the same thing?
Plenty of professionals in Levittown. It's a good solid spot.
Easy answer, Levittown was built with no basements to provide cheap housing to returning veterans after WWII. The houses were cheap, and this image has followed the area.
Also being from Brooklyn, picture that some of the low life's of Nassau live in Levittown, as you are from Brooklyn think of why you left Brooklyn. Some of Brooklyn (East NY, Bushwick, the hookers around the corner from McDonalds on Broadway near Flushing ave, right by the hospital. The reason you keep your car windows up and doors locked when driving through that area. And why you tried to avoid the area.)
Ok, Levittown is not that bad, but there are drugs and low life's in Levittown more than most L.I. areas, except (Terrace Ave, Hempstead). When I worked in Brooklyn I did not see the drugs, only the results, just as when I lived in Levittown I did not see the drugs, just the results. While the schools of L.I. have hopefully only 10% drug addicts, Levittown is at 20%, Brooklyn has more like 30% to 50%.
You will not find Professional people in Levittown, it is a working persons town, while some of their children have gone on to a better life, some of their children have stayed and lower the area's reputation. The best and brightest leave, what remains is what Levittown is know for.
Ask a Nassau Police Officer how Levittown keeps them busy, then you will understand.
I am a professional that lives in Levittown. I have a Master's Degree and my husband has an MBA. We are doing very well. My neighbor has a Master's degree too. I am unsure of how well you really know this area based on your comments that are simply untrue. I can name over 20 people in my small section of Levittown that I know of that have advanced degrees and professional jobs...and Levittown is a very large town.
I find the area to be affordable, very safe,and very family friendly. I wanted a nice area with a large home that would not break the bank and allow my children to attend private school. I have been living in Levittown for over 7 years and I really enjoy it. I am one block over the N. Wantagh border and I don't see a bad element at all. Levittown is packed with young families with nice amenities for those families.
It has the old reputation of working class veterans and their working class children. Think civil service, ect...This stereotype is at least 30-40 years out of date. All types of people live in many of the towns nowadays.
I live in Farmingdale and we have a few people who have huge misconceptions about the town-all types live here from PhD's to high school dropouts and everyone in between, all working, playing, and schooling together. This to me is a great thing.
Easy answer, Levittown was built with no basements to provide cheap housing to returning veterans after WWII. The houses were cheap, and this image has followed the area.
Also being from Brooklyn, picture that some of the low life's of Nassau live in Levittown, as you are from Brooklyn think of why you left Brooklyn. Some of Brooklyn (East NY, Bushwick, the hookers around the corner from McDonalds on Broadway near Flushing ave, right by the hospital. The reason you keep your car windows up and doors locked when driving through that area. And why you tried to avoid the area.)
Ok, Levittown is not that bad, but there are drugs and low life's in Levittown more than most L.I. areas, except (Terrace Ave, Hempstead). When I worked in Brooklyn I did not see the drugs, only the results, just as when I lived in Levittown I did not see the drugs, just the results. While the schools of L.I. have hopefully only 10% drug addicts, Levittown is at 20%, Brooklyn has more like 30% to 50%.
You will not find Professional people in Levittown, it is a working persons town, while some of their children have gone on to a better life, some of their children have stayed and lower the area's reputation. The best and brightest leave, what remains is what Levittown is know for.
Ask a Nassau Police Officer how Levittown keeps them busy, then you will understand.
No professionals? Then maybe you can explain the BMW's and Corvettes that are plentiful in my neighborhood's driveways. Just because someone chooses to buy a cheaper house, doesn't mean they don't have money. I know we're only one example, but I have over a Bachelor's degree, and my husband has his Master's. When we moved here almost 5 years ago, I expected more middle class people, but I'm slowly learning that many here do have a lot of money but choose to not put it towards a big house.
No professionals? Then maybe you can explain the BMW's and Corvettes that are plentiful in my neighborhood's driveways. Just because someone chooses to buy a cheaper house, doesn't mean they don't have money. I know we're only one example, but I have over a Bachelor's degree, and my husband has his Master's. When we moved here almost 5 years ago, I expected more middle class people, but I'm slowly learning that many here do have a lot of money but choose to not put it towards a big house.
Excellent point, and just to add to the previous posts, I have an attorney friend who bought a home in Levittown a year or two ago. He does very well for himself in the private sector handling labor/employment law cases, owns a luxury car, vacations in Europe, and chose Levittown to be closer to his girlfriends family so once they marry/have kids, they will all be closer- plus the fact that he got the home for a great price with a large downpayment. In this economy, its not too wise to blow all your monthly income on housing, as that recent Newsday article pointed out that almost 44% of LI'ers are paying more for housing than what their HHI should allow.
Excellent point, and just to add to the previous posts, I have an attorney friend who bought a home in Levittown a year or two ago. He does very well for himself in the private sector handling labor/employment law cases, owns a luxury car, vacations in Europe, and chose Levittown to be closer to his girlfriends family so once they marry/have kids, they will all be closer- plus the fact that he got the home for a great price with a large downpayment. In this economy, its not too wise to blow all your monthly income on housing, as that recent Newsday article pointed out that almost 44% of LI'ers are paying more for housing than what their HHI should allow.
Hubby and I are in the same camp, we purchased in a neighborhood similar to levittown (all levitt capes) for the same reason- keep housing costs to a minimum. God forbid we have another 2008 situation, we can easily cut back on the vacations, steak dinners ect., premium gas and afford our home without any issue. Levittown is a solid place to raise a family.
Hubby and I are in the same camp, we purchased in a neighborhood similar to levittown (all levitt capes) for the same reason- keep housing costs to a minimum. God forbid we have another 2008 situation, we can easily cut back on the vacations, steak dinners ect., premium gas and afford our home without any issue. Levittown is a solid place to raise a family.
Right... the smart thing is to budget for a house while keeping in mind if you or your spouse loses their job. We could have spent a little more, but decided to have a safe cushion. Turns out I did lose my job like 6 months after we bought. We managed to stay afloat and still save. Had we bought elsewhere, it would have been a completely different story. Plus, now that I'm going to be a stay at home mom in a few weeks, buying a smaller/cheaper house allows me to do that.
Easy answer, Levittown was built with no basements to provide cheap housing to returning veterans after WWII. The houses were cheap, and this image has followed the area.
Also being from Brooklyn, picture that some of the low life's of Nassau live in Levittown, as you are from Brooklyn think of why you left Brooklyn. Some of Brooklyn (East NY, Bushwick, the hookers around the corner from McDonalds on Broadway near Flushing ave, right by the hospital. The reason you keep your car windows up and doors locked when driving through that area. And why you tried to avoid the area.)
Ok, Levittown is not that bad, but there are drugs and low life's in Levittown more than most L.I. areas, except (Terrace Ave, Hempstead). When I worked in Brooklyn I did not see the drugs, only the results, just as when I lived in Levittown I did not see the drugs, just the results. While the schools of L.I. have hopefully only 10% drug addicts, Levittown is at 20%, Brooklyn has more like 30% to 50%.
You will not find Professional people in Levittown, it is a working persons town, while some of their children have gone on to a better life, some of their children have stayed and lower the area's reputation. The best and brightest leave, what remains is what Levittown is know for.
Ask a Nassau Police Officer how Levittown keeps them busy, then you will understand.
Started off reasonable enough, and then...what?! You think 20% of the students in Levittown are drug addicts? What are the 'results' you saw that led you to believe this?
NCPD are kept busy in Levittown busting high school kids drinking, smoking weed, maybe pool-hopping, and that's about it.
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