Cathedral Gardens Co-op - Hempstead NY Real Estate - Why We Love To Live Here

12/3/20252 min read

🏠 What is Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens, Hempstead — Long Island / Nassau County

This is a co-op apartment complex located in Hempstead (zip 11550), Nassau County.
It sits near the border with nearby communities like Garden City / West Hempstead, which sometimes leads to confusion about its mailing address or how locals refer to it.
The complex dates back to around the 1950s (many sources list 1950–1957 as construction/establishment years).
It's described as a “gated community,” with mid-century style brick buildings, elevator access, and a fairly sizable number of units (over 200 units across multiple buildings/addresses).

📦 What Living There Looks Like — Typical Unit & Building Features

Based on recent listings and resident/building descriptions, here’s what you can generally expect:

Unit types & pricing (as of 2024–2025)

Interior & building amenities:

Many units have hardwood floors, updated kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and granite/quartz counters (especially in recently renovated units).
Building offers elevators, on-site laundry (shared rooms), storage rooms or bike/storage space, and garage parking + street parking.
Utilities: Heating and hot water usually included in common charges; individual units may have wall/window AC units (not central AC).
The building seems well maintained: features like “new windows, a generator (for power outages), elevator, gated entry, secure common areas

Community and neighborhood vibe:

Residents on forums and community threads often describe it as “safe, clean, quiet, and well maintained.”
It’s viewed as somewhat of a “hidden gem” or “best-kept secret” in Nassau County — especially attractive because it’s close to the border with nicer areas like Garden City while often at lower price points compared to those areas.
There’s also mention of local schools (public and private), amenities close by, public transit access (buses, LIRR via Hempstead Station is reasonably close), shopping, etc — making it commuter- and family-friendly, especially for first-time buyers or those downsizing.

✅ Pros (Community Feedback & What Works Well)

Affordability (relatively speaking): Compared to many Nassau County communities, Cathedral Gardens co-ops offer more affordable entry with many units renovated.
Practical amenities & maintenance: Elevators, laundry, garage parking, updated kitchens — quite convenient for a co-op in this price range.
Location convenience: Walkable to shops, public transport, close to Garden City / Hempstead / other Long Island amenities. Good for commuters or those who want easy access without needing a car all the time.
Solid value for money: Renovated units with modern touches give good bang for buck: hardwood floors, updated kitchens, reasonable square footage. Good for first-time buyers, downsizers, or investors.

• Community & sense of belonging: Long-time residents often describe neighbors and atmosphere positively — quiet, stable, well-kept.