By MIKE CAPUTO
That response was spontaneous, but maybe slightly exaggerated. The truth is that I am not so sure about returning to Nassau. Even after participating in a forum last week hosted by Suozzi with more than 200 young adults ranging from ages 20 to 35 at county headquarters in Mineola, there is still uncertainty about where my wife and I will make our permanent home in the future.
Nassau does have it all. It has quality schools, beautiful parks, serene shorelines, some so-called "cool downtowns," a renowned racetrack, respected golf courses and places to live, work and shop. Unfortunately, they are spread out and seemingly unconnected. Going from Point A to Point B within Nassau usually results in driving, despite the public transit system.
But where I live now is "cool." Everything I need is within walking distance. Without using a car, I can sample a world of foods at an array of fine restaurants, pick up my groceries, take care of my banking needs, enjoy a coffee and pastry at the bakery, grab a drink at the pub, cash in lotto tickets, get my hair cut and pick out my favorite fruits and vegetables.
It was comforting to see at the forum that I am not alone. Last week's special meeting of the young minds enabled me to see all different perspectives. Each person in that room had their story to tell, and like me, most were unsure how the next chapters would be written.
You could be a thirtysomething, married with young kids, and living in your first home. Getting hit with those first tax bills is difficult.
Or you can be going into your senior year of college. The future is unclear, if not opaque, in terms of available jobs after graduation, but it is usually certain that the student will face loan payments for that education. Even if there is a job available, those who are lucky enough usually grab the chance to save money and live with family until there is some sense of economic stability.
Or you can be like me. I recently married and pulled a reverse from my parents, who moved from the city to raise their family in suburbia.
But I still feel a part of Nassau. It never left me. It may help that I still work here and that I spent most of my life here. But I still remain puzzled as to why I enjoyed living here so much.
It is especially disconcerting when I hear things from peers like: taxes are way too high, public transit is confusing and inconvenient, affordable rental apartments are scarce, and there are few employment opportunities. And my favorite one of the evening was from an out-of-state student at Hofstra University, who told me simply that Nassau was "boring" and that she spent most of her time hanging out in the city.
Maybe it is time for Nassau to move forward and redefine what suburbia means.
That redefinition comes certainly from developers, zoning and planning officials, and government, but I think it probably comes mostly, existentially, from people, where they choose to live, how and why. People either get what they want where they live, or they live where they get what they want.
I applaud government leaders like Tom Suozzi for organizing this recent program and Assemblyman Rob Walker, who recently held a series of conferences known as RemaiNY, for setting up forums and beginning dialogue.
Dialogue is key. With the influx of social networking Web sites, it is easier than ever. Suozzi set up a Facebook group for young adults to air out their concerns and vent with their peers, while finding ways to incorporate some of the ideas into the county's master plan. This is one of the ways we learn together.
I ask people to make their pitch. Convince me on why I should come back home to Nassau, and stay there. I will be listening.
Mike Caputo is the editor of the East Meadow Herald. Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
