As many of my readers know, I have recently moved to Manhasset with my wife Janet and son Andrew.  Manhasset is a wonderful community and I am thoroughly enjoying living and working here.  Janet is very familiar with Manhasset having been a long time resident but I had a learning curve.  One of the first things I did before moving to Manhasset was to learn about the area.  Manhasset is comprised of several areas that are all wonderful but seem to have different characteristics and personalities.  The buyers that I have worked with all seem to be interested in this information as well.

A very experienced home specialist in Manhasset, Marie Pellegrino, once told me that purchasing in Manhasset is more about the community than the actual property.  For this reason she always brings her buyers on a 30 minute tour of Manhasset prior to showing them the first house for sale.  Many buyers are anxious to get started and see the houses for sale but they all seem to be very appreciative and happy that they first took the time to go on the tour.  I think Marie's style of beginning with a tour is incredibly helpful and I plan to emulate that aspect into my own business.

The word Manhasset is a derivation of an Indian term which translates to "the island neighborhood".  Manhasset is a total of 8 ½ square miles broken down as follows:

• Manhasset (unincorporated areas)
  • Strathmore Vanderbilt
  • Strathmore Village
  • South Strathmore
  • North Strathmore
• Munsey Park
• Plandome
• Plandome Heights
• Plandome Manor
• Flower Hill
• North Hills

In my opinion, some of the best reasons to live in Manhasset are because of the fantastic community, beautiful parks, excellent schools, consistent neighborhoods and the 28 minute train commute to Manhattan.  There are many custom homes with slate roofs, plaster walls and beautiful woodwork.  The real decision is which part of Manhasset is most suitable for you.  So let's talk about the various areas.

I have yet to see a map which actually has the various Strathmore's indicated on it.  They are usually just grouped as Strathmore but they have very different feels to them.

Strathmore Vanderbilt is located south of Quaker Ridge Rd. and to the west of Chapel Rd.  If you live in Strathmore Vanderbilt, you receive deeded shares which allow you to belong to the Strathmore Vanderbilt country club.  Houses in Strathmore Village do not receive deeded shares but on average the homes typically seem to be larger.  The majority of the homes in the Strathmore Vanderbilt and Strathmore Village attend the Shelter Rock Elementary School.

South Strathmore is the area in front of Strathmore Vanderbilt and Strathmore Village.  It runs from Northern Blvd. back to Quaker Ridge Rd. and Hilltop Dr.  Homes in South Strathmore are part of the Munsey Park Elementary School.

North Strathmore is the area between Northern Blvd. and Munsey Park.  It is behind the new library and runs east.  The homes in North Strathmore are typically smaller than the other Strathmore's.   There are all types of styles of homes which include many ranches in the area.  They are also part of the Munsey Park Elementary School.

Flower Hill is an incorporated village.  When driving through its hard not to notice how well manicured the properties are.  Most parts of Manhasset Flower Hill attend the Munsey Park Elementary School.

Plandome Manor is another incorporated village.  I equate Plandome Manor with water front properties.  It is a very beautiful section.  Plandome Manor has its own train station and there are some very well known celebrities residing in this section.  Some homes in this section are part of the Port Washington schools and others are part of the Manhasset schools.  Plandome has a beautiful golf club.

The incorporated Village of Plandome is the oldest part of Manhasset.  The incorporated Village of Munsey Park is where I am currently living.  You might find me walking by Copley pond on a nice day.  Munsey Park is also home to the Miracle Mile of the North Shore of Long Island.

North Hills is another incorporated village that I will discuss in a future blog.

I hope this has been a helpful introduction to Manhasset.  For a private tour of Manhasset and some of the properties for sale, please feel free to call Janet or myself.  Please also visit us at http://www.coopstocastles.com/