If you're looking to buy in Islandia

Straddling the Long Island Expressway between Exits 57 and 58, the village of Islandia is made up of residential neighborhoods, more than 275 acres of Suffolk County Greenbelt and more than 150 businesses.

Lakeland County Park, off Johnson Avenue and abutting the Connetquot River State Park Preserve, is popular for its nature trail-boardwalk over the headwaters of the Connetquot River.

Area businesses, such as Computer Associates, provide some of the tax base, says Richard Lenard, broker of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Smithtown. And though the village lacks a downtown district, the Islandia shopping center houses a number of retailers and eateries.

"Islandia has really sprung ahead in the last six or seven years -- you can see the difference," says resident Tony Church, commissioner of highways. He refers to physical enhancements as well as community involvement.

There is much pride in the veterans' memorial with an eternal flame that was unveiled in 2008 at the triangle at Old Nichols Road and Johnson Avenue.

Beautification efforts include the installation of a 10-foot fence and flowering trees along a 1,500-foot stretch of Veterans Highway between Old Nichols Road and Sycamore Avenue.

The village sponsors well-attended events for its residents and provides seniors with door-to-door shuttle service on Mondays and Fridays for shopping and doctor appointments.

Neighborhoods feature mostly farm ranches, ranches, high-ranches and Colonials. The development known as Gooseberry is dotted with Contemporaries on lots that can be more than half an acre. The village often attracts younger buyers because it's affordable, Lenard says.

CONDOS AND TOWN HOUSES
Two listings, $265,000 and $449,000

SALES PRICE
According to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data, there were 23 sales from Feb. 1, 2011, to March 15, 2012. The median sales price was $215,000 with a low of $105,000 and a high of $287,000. From Jan. 1, 2010, to Jan. 31, 2011, there were 22 sales with a median sales price of $245,500. The low sales price was $130,000, and the high was $584,000.

ATTRACTIONS
Ballfield on Old Nichols Road; annual events include the Easter egg Hunt for residents only; this year, it's March 31.

BY THE NUMBERS
Town: Islip

Area: 2.2 square miles

ZIP code: 11749

Population: 3,335

Median age: 40.7

Median household income: $90,075

Median home value: $238,000*

LIRR time to NYC: From Ronkonkoma, 1 hour, 6 minutes to 1 hour, 25 minutes at peak.

Monthly ticket: $334

School districts: Central Islip, Hauppauge, Connetquot

Sources: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island