Uniondale

Many of Long Island’s best-known modern landmarks call Uniondale home. The unincorporated Town of Hempstead hamlet, population 25,000, was initially called Turtle Hook. Today, the hamlet sees visitors from all over the region who come to enjoy Uniondale’s many amenities.

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum provides the New York Islanders with a home base. It can seat up to 18,000 spectators, depending on the event. It has also hosted live wrestling. Concerts and children’s performances are regular offerings. Mitchel Field Athletic Complex is another of Uniondale’s main attractions. The 49-acre park hosts collegiate and high school track events and competitions. In 1998 it hosted the Goodwill Games, which brought 1,500 athletes from around the world. Soccer, lacrosse and football games are also held. Hofstra University, Long Island’s largest private college, is also partially located in Uniondale. Nassau Community College, a two-year public school, is adjacent to the Coliseum.

Nearby Garden City offers great cultural opportunities for families. The Cradle of Aviation museum features exhibits chronicling Long Island’s role in the world of flight, located near the site of Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight from New York to Paris. The Long Island Children’s Museum has interactive exhibits and programs for parents and kids.

Residents can enjoy several smaller neighborhood parks and easy access to shopping. Cedar Street Park, Uniondale Avenue Park and Smith Street Park offer assorted opportunities for recreation, including playgrounds, playing fields and basketball courts. One of Long Island’s first Wal-Mart stores is located in Uniondale. Roosevelt Field Mall and Westbury’s plethora of big-box and chain stores are located just to the north, offering a wide variety of retail options. Movie theaters and restaurants are also plentiful.

The Uniondale School District educates approximately 6,300 students. It is comprised of five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. In grades 3 through 8, between 7 and 9 percent did not meet standards on state exams. The district contends with a 34% poverty rate, and was newly identified by the state as needing to improve scores in English Language Arts. However, the district has a detailed improvement plan on its website, and parent comments on school review sites show a largely favorable attitude towards the schools and the steps they are making to raise student performance.

Homes in Uniondale are very affordable. Current prices for single-family homes range between $150,000 and $450,000. Some of the less expensive homes are older cottages and bungalows, while the homes at the upper end of the price range are newer. Like much of Nassau County, the majority of Uniondale’s housing inventory dates from the 1950s. However, older and newer homes are available. House hunters seeking multi-family homes and condominiums will find availability in limited numbers.