Like other communities on Nassau County's South Shore, North Bellmore offers quiet, single-family neighborhoods as well as major thoroughfares lined with eateries, shops, services and strip shopping centers.

North Bellmore and neighboring Bellmore, often referred to collectively as "The Bellmores," share a chamber of commerce and annual events, such as the Bellmore Family Street Festival.

North Bellmore features a variety of home styles, including small capes and ranches as well as larger Colonials, split-levels, high- ranches and split-ranches, according to Jim Faulkner, owner-broker of The Homestead Act Realty Inc., in Bellmore. He also notes that new Colonials and high-ranches are rare.

While prices appear to have peaked in North Bellmore, Faulkner said the market remains strong, with the highly regarded school district providing a major draw.

Plans to redevelop the 17-acre former military base on Maple Avenue, once known as the Bellmore Logistics Activity facility, are said to include single-family homes, affordable senior housing and a community center.

The Southard House, built in 1655, still stands at its original location on Bellmore Avenue.

Nearby parks include the 62-acre Newbridge Road Park, which houses a pool, skating rink, ball fields and playground as well as Mill Pond Park, a nature preserve where fishing is permitted. And Jones Beach is a short distance away.

Residents have easy access to the Southern State Parkway.

-Lisa Doll Bruno (9/17/2004)