Wantagh Long Island here, about 45 minutes to mid town Manhattan, although if the interview is on lower Broadway (I am down on 39 Broadway), going through Brooklyn it's a little more like an hour door to door.
Home prices vary on the south shore although starting from 370K-425K can get you a simple 2-3 bedroom with some work to do.
The schools vary from town to town, although they are generally solid school systems despite the publicity you may have seen about some of the corruption with the school boards.
Nassau county has a very extensive park system and you are near several great beaches.
As you see it the thread, the NYCBBB have already chirped in, they are a good group, and JetBlue is right out Kennedy to Buffalo goes around 49 each way if you book em in advance.
Good luck on the interview!!
Let us know how you did.