Long Island's a big place. How do you know where to live? Here's some advice for those who like historic homes, waterfront living, are looking for a place to settle down with the kids, crave nightlife, and more.

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How do Long Islanders love the waterfront? Let us count the ways: Some adore nothing more than the sound of crashing surf on a sandy beach; others prefer the quiet flow of a river through the marsh grass; still others are happiest offshore, whether cruising Long Island Sound in a luxury vessel or chasing down the Atlantic's biggest game fish on a charter boat. 
In this installment of Newsday's Best Places to Live series, we highlight a sampling of Long Island communities with distinct waterfront cultures and a variety of price ranges. Whether you're a beach bum, a sailor, an angler or a landlubber who just enjoys a killer water view, you can find a place on Long Island that floats your boat. 
FOR YACHTING 
Oyster Bay is where some of the most competitive sailors train -- and it's also where some of the least experienced ones get their feet wet: The Oakcliff Sailing Center in Oyster Bay trains Olympic-level sailors, while newcomers to the sport can train at the nonprofit WaterFront Center, also in Oyster Bay. The Sagamore Yacht Club is in Oyster Bay, as well. Home prices in Oyster Bay ranged from $215,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $14.9 million for a seven-bedroom home on a 5-acre waterfront estate, a search of MLSLI.com shows. 
Nearby Centre Island, a village within the Town of Oyster Bay, is home to the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. "Seawanhaka would be one of the oldest clubs in the country, founded here in 1871," says Robert B. McKay, author of "Great Yachts of Long Island's North Shore." 
On the East End, your boat can rub elbows with celebrities' boats in posh Sag Harbor, where Billy Joel's "Alexa" -- the vessel that shares its name both with Joel's eldest daughter and his 1990 pop single "The Downeaster 'Alexa' " -- has been known to dock. 
For a slightly more down-to-earth yachting scene, try Babylon and its surroundings. "The South Shore has its series of active sailing clubs like in Sayville and Babylon," says McKay. "On the Great South Bay, you get a more reliable breeze than on the North Shore," he says, adding that the shallow bay is better suited for smaller vessels. 
Listing:&nbsp;$599,990 in West Babylon 
This 83-by-127-square-foot property includes 115 feet of bulkhead on a cove and an in-ground pool. The three-bedroom home has two full bathrooms and features a stone fireplace. It's listed with JoAnn Boettcher of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-422-9292. 
FOR OCEAN LIVING 
In Nassau County, the city of Long Beach has unrivaled pedestrian access to the Atlantic Ocean. This season, the city has 31 public entry points to the ocean beach, 18 of which sell daily beach passes for $12. Residents pay just $40 for an individual season pass, while nonresidents pay $80. Long Beach has a new 2.2-mile boardwalk, built to replace one that was destroyed in&nbsp; 2012&nbsp; by superstorm Sandy. The beach and boardwalk area are home to a lively summer scene, including food trucks, a trapeze school, surf camps, a playground and numerous outdoor events. 
On the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island website, there were 354 homes on the market in Long Beach -- and since the city is just a half-mile wide, you can walk to the ocean from every one of them. Prices ranged from $69,900 for a studio in a co-op about one block from the beach to $3.3 million for a newly constructed oceanfront contemporary. The Long Beach barrier island also includes the communities of Atlantic Beach, Lido Beach and Point Lookout. 
On the East End, Montauk's position at the tip of the South Fork creates exceptional beach access for residents. In Montauk, "you can find a house from which you can walk to the beach for less than a million dollars" -- a rarity you're unlikely to find anywhere else in the Hamptons, says Chris Chapin of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. On the Hamptons real estate sales website HREO.com, prices ranged from $125,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op in an oceanfront complex to $85,000,000 for 30.4-acre summer compound once owned by Andy Warhol. 
And on Fire Island, you'd better like walking -- cars are mostly not permitted. But that's fine, because much of the narrow island is less than a half-mile in width, so you're always within walking distance of the beach. The island, which is surrounded by Great South Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, is about 32 miles long and has more than a dozen communities. Most are mainly summer spots; each has its own distinct neighborhood personality. 
Listing:&nbsp;$735,000 in Long Beach 
This three-bedroom condo features an oceanfront patio and deck and three parking spots. The custom-finished town home has two full bathrooms and a fireplace. It's listed with Tom Tripodi and Cynthia Altkin of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-432-3400. 
FOR FISHING 
Along the North Shore, Long Island Sound and its bays and harbors offer great catches such as bass, fluke, bluefish, porgies, black sea bass and blackfish. The North Shore community with the most waterfront homes available was Northport, including Asharoken, which shares its school district and ZIP code. There were 36 properties for sale, ranging from $749,900 for a three-bedroom house with a beach easement to $5.5 million for a 1.8-acre estate on 150 feet of waterfront, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service website. 
Northport's shipbuilding heritage is a natural fit for seafaring types. "It's rich in maritime history. . . . It's a great place, with a beautiful harbor, very accessible and protected from storms," says Stuart Paterson, Northport resident and owner of Northport Charters. 
Paterson says North Shore anglers favor a well-known fishery called the Triangle off Eatons Neck where conditions on the sea floor attract a variety of game fish. "There's lots of structure on the bottom -- rock piles, ledges, reefs. The baitfish hold on the structure, and the game fish feed on the baitfish." 
On the South Shore, Freeport is a favorite spot for adventurous anglers who like to fish the canyons -- deep trenches in the ocean floor where the water conditions attract big game fish such as tuna, shark and swordfish. Private boat owners and commercial fishing charters alike take advantage of Freeport's ocean access via Jones Inlet, launching numerous day trips as well as overnight excursions to fishing hot spots such as Chicken Canyon and Hudson Canyon. 
On the East End, Montauk is well-known for all kinds of fishing, from bass blitzes near the coast to shark and tuna fishing farther offshore. "The fishing is amazing out there -- they've got everything," says Austin Frye of Wantagh, a fishing enthusiast and yacht dealer. An angler's options are numerous, including ocean fishing charters, surf casting or even freshwater fishing in Montauk's Fort Pond. 
Listing:&nbsp;$1.425 million in Asharoken 
This 0.4-acre property is situated between Duck Island Harbor and Long Island Sound. A beach lot on the Sound is included. The four-bedroom Hamptons-style home has three full bathrooms and a half-bath. It's listed with Joanne LaCascia and Roberta Hunt of Signature Premier Properties, 631-360-2800. 
FOR DOCKSIDE LIVING 
If you want a dock in your own backyard, buying a home with a pre-existing bulkhead is significantly easier than adding one. The process typically requires a minimum of three permits -- one from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, one from the Army Corps of Engineers and one at the local level -- says Scott Moses, an expediter for the Merrick-based service GetDockPermits.com. Along Nassau's well-developed South Shore, a property with a bulkhead is relatively easy to find. 
In a keyword search of available homes with a dock or bulkhead, Massapequa had the most in the county, with 31 homes listed on Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, ranging in price from $410,000 for a three-bedroom house on Carmans River to $2.199 million for a four-bedroom Dutch Colonial on the open bay. 
Massapequa's south shore has a neighborly network of more than a dozen canals and creeks stretching up from South Oyster Bay, where some boat owners may find themselves becoming as friendly with folks across the canal as with those across the street. "It's a different kind of community on the water," says Teresa Marotta of Exit Realty Premier. "They're all so friendly. They drive by on the water and say hello to one another. They have that connection." 
Homes with bulkheads are less common in Suffolk, and there tend to be more hurdles to adding one there, Moses says. "The farther east you go, the more pricey everything gets," and local permit requirements can be strict, he says. Moriches, including East Moriches and Center Moriches, had the most available in the county, 41, ranging in price from $327,000 to $2.99 million, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service. 
On the East End, Southold had the most homes for sale with docks or bulkheads -- 24, including 17 with docks and seven with bulkheads, ranging in price from $444,000 to $1,888,888. 
Listing:&nbsp;$659,000 in Massapequa 
This 70-by-100-foot canal-front property features a floating dock with a ramp, and a multilevel deck with a tiki bar. The six-bedroom Colonial has three full bathrooms, bamboo floors and a stone fireplace. The home is listed with Teresa Marotta of Exit Realty Premier, 516-795-1000. 
FOR BAY LIVING 
If a home by the bay tops your wish list, you'll find the most choices in Hampton Bays, which is surrounded by three bays: Great Peconic Bay, Tiana Bay and Shinnecock Bay. There were 25 bayfront and bayview homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service ranging from $149,000 for a one-bedroom unit in a bayfront co-op with a dock to $3.325 million for a five-bedroom Mediterranean-style home with a deepwater dock. 
Want bay living on a budget? Try Baldwin and Baldwin Harbor for a wide variety, all for less than $1 million. There were 28 waterfront homes on Multiple Listing Service, with prices ranging from $349,000 for a three-bedroom ranch on a canal with bay access to $989,000 for a three-bedroom Colonial on the open bay with a floating dock and 165-foot bulkhead. 
On the North Fork, where Flanders Bay meets Great Peconic Bay, is Jamesport. Of the community's 38 homes on Multiple Listing Service, 22 were waterfront or had a water view. Prices ranged from $399,000 for a three-bedroom Victorian with a water view to $2.775 million for a three-bedroom ranch on a 0.63-acre beachfront property. 
"If I could pick any place to live, I would pick Jamesport, Southold, Greenport, Orient. Those to me would be ideal," says Steven Berner, president of&nbsp; Long Island Paddlers Inc., a canoeing and kayaking club. The relatively calm, low-traffic waters are great place for boaters and paddlers to enjoy nature and wildlife, because nearby land surrounding the water is undeveloped, such as Hubbard County Park in Flanders, Indian Island County Park in Riverhead and the privately owned Robins Island. 
Listing:&nbsp;$1.595 in Hampton Bays 
This 1.2-acre estate features more than 200 feet of bulkhead and a water depth of 4 feet at low tide on Tiana Creek, with access to Tiana Bay and Shinnecock Bay. The five-bedroom house has two master suites, entertainment rooms and a bar area. The property has a heated gunite pool, brick patios, gardens and a koi pond. It's listed with Theresa Thompson and Tahir Baig of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-871-7844.

HOMAIN21

Best places to live on Long Island: The waterfronts

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If you ask local boaters to name the best place for boating on Long Island, you'll get about 95,574 opinions. That's how many registered powerboats there are in Nassau and Suffolk counties, according to New York State's most recent recreational boating report -- and that's not even counting nonpowered watercraft. 
When neighborhood shopping on an island where so many homes are only minutes away from diverse and alluring waterways, there really are no bad choices. Still, certain bodies of water tend to be the perennial favorites for particular water activities -- so it stands to reason that communities with convenient access to them are the ones local boaters like to call home port. 
In this installment of Newsday's Best Places to Live series, we share a sampling of great places for seafaring Long Islanders in every price range -- from the boaters who have it all, right down to those who'd happily give all they have for a boat. 
The Long Island Sound 
GREAT PLACE FOR: Pleasure boaters 
The Long Island Sound offers the best of both worlds: At an average depth of about 63 feet, the Sound is deep enough for sailing and cruising. Yet because it's sheltered by Connecticut to the north and Long Island to the south, it's enclosed enough to offer some protection from rougher ocean conditions. This makes it a popular spot for luxury vessels, says yacht service professional Austin Frye, 25, of Wantagh. He would know -- his mobile yacht management business, L&amp;I Detailing, takes him to various local ports from Manhattan to Montauk. 
About 110 miles from east to west, the Sound is long enough for extended adventures, yet at only 21 miles across from north to south at its widest point, it's narrow enough to cruise across for a leisurely lunch and be home in time for dinner. 
Ken Montgomery, 51, says his family enjoys taking their 20-foot bow rider from their home on Hempstead Harbor&nbsp; to City Island to dine on the water while watching the sun set. Before heading home, he says they like to "go for a loop under the Throgs Neck Bridge, which is gorgeous at night. . . . It's almost magical." 
HOT SPOT: Port Washington, which has access to the Sound via Manhasset Bay, offers a seaside social scene that includes yacht clubs, restaurants and a cultural arts center. In the past 12 months, 254 homes sold in Port Washington, ranging in price from $183,000 to $2.499 million, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. Homes on the market here range from $138,000 for a three-bedroom houseboat to $3 million for a three-bedroom condo in the Knickerbocker Bay Club with a 2,700-square-foot terrace overlooking Manhasset Bay. 
IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT: A 6.64-acre waterfront estate for sale in Sands Point offers a deep-water dock on the Sound and unobstructed views of the New York City skyline. It's listed for $14.5 million with William Bodouva of Laffey Fine Homes (516-883-7780). 
IF YOU'RE A BOATER ON A BUDGET: The Town of Riverhead's Creek Road public boat launch in Wading River has a single-lane ramp that offers access to the Long Island Sound via Wading River Creek. For nearby low-cost living, there's a two-bedroom mobile home with a covered driveway in a 55-and-over community in Wading River. It's listed for $24,700 with Frances Cavallo of Aliano Real Estate (631-744-5000). 
The Great South Bay 
GREAT PLACE FOR: Recreational boaters 
The 151-square-mile Great South Bay spans about a 26-mile stretch of Long Island's South Shore. Protected from the ocean by Fire Island and varying from four to 20 feet in depth, the bay offers versatility and moderate-to-challenging conditions that are attractive to casual and recreational boaters who enjoy water sports and dock-and-dine outings. 
"On the South Shore . . . that's where you'll see a lot of water-skiing and personal watercraft-type stuff," says Roslyn Harbor boat owner Ken Montgomery, 51. 
"But when the wind and weather begin to pick up, the Great South Bay can become very rough, especially as you begin to head farther east," says Wantagh boat owner Austin Frye. Kayaker Steven Brenner of Shoreham agrees conditions there can be challenging, especially for nonpowered watercraft. "The Great South Bay, almost any day you go there, will have 15 mile per hour winds. The water is just a lot rougher." Ocean access from the bay can be tricky due to varying depths in the Fire Island Inlet, Frye says. 
HOT SPOT: In Bay Shore, family friendly options include the nautical-themed Shipwreck Cove, a spray park at the Bay Shore Marina. The nightlife scene includes live music on the waterfront at a number of dock-and-dine establishments. The Long Island Paddlers Club meets at Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library once a month. In the past 12 months, 349 homes sold in Bay Shore, ranging from $18,000 to $1.5 million. Homes on the market range from $14,000 for a two-bedroom mobile home to $5.99 million for a bay-front six-bedroom Colonial with a 250-foot private beach and a 400-foot bulkhead. 
IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT: A 5.66-acre estate in East Islip on Champlin Creek with direct access to the Great South Bay is listed for $4.5 million with Bonnie Williamson and Patricia Bretone of Daniel Gale Agency (631-427-6600). 
IF YOU'RE A BOATER ON A BUDGET: A three-bedroom Cape in Islip listed for $239,000 has a driveway and a detached two-car garage. It's a six-minute drive to the Town of Islip's public boat ramp at Champlin Creek Dock in East Islip. It's listed with Lisa Kennedy and Tracy Sobel of Eric G Ramsay Jr Associates (631-665-1500). 
The Peconics 
GREAT PLACE FOR: Paddlers 
"The Peconic Bay is the best place to paddle, hands down," says Steven Brenner, president of local kayaking and canoeing club Long Island Paddlers Inc. Brenner, an enthusiast who owns seven kayaks, says options abound for Peconic Bay-area paddlers to enjoy scenery, wildlife and calm waters. For instance, "Hubbard County Park is a huge park with four creeks in it. It's just beautiful, with the marsh grass and everything. You've got Indian Island County Park, Morton Wildlife Refuge, Robins Island." 
Depths can range from 30 feet in the waters west of Robins Island, also known as the Great Peconic Bay, to 80 feet on the eastern section known as Little Peconic Bay. 
The slow-moving water of the Peconic River is ideal for paddlers. It flows from Indian Island County Park through Flanders Bay, the Peconic Bays and Orient Harbor into Long Beach Bay at Orient Beach State Park -- another popular paddling area, where kayak rentals are available. "Orient Beach State Park is about my favorite place to paddle," says Brenner, 61, a retired teacher. 
HOT SPOT: Paddlers love Greenport, which has a harborfront kayak derby every September during the annual Maritime Festival and offers easy access to the Peconic River and Orient Beach State Park. The charming coastal village has ice cream parlors, a carousel and other family friendly fun, as well as a waterfront nightlife scene that includes bars, restaurants and live music. In the past 12 months, 69 homes sold in Greenport, ranging from $105,000 to $1.498 million. Homes on the market here range from $129,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $3.95 million for a four-bedroom Postmodern with 170 feet of water frontage on Long Island Sound. 
IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT: In Cutchogue, a 15.24-acre, two-lot estate with 39 feet of bulkhead and 78 feet of natural water frontage is listed for $14.6 million with Carol Szynaka and Mariah Mills of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty (631-734-5439). 
IF YOU'RE A BOATER ON A BUDGET: The Town of Riverhead has a canoe and kayak launch at Weeping Willow Park in Riverhead. Nearby, there's a two-bedroom condo in Riverhead, with a garage to store your kayak, listed for $259,000 with Joan Waggoner of Bagshaw Real Estate LLC (631-727-3713). 
Atlantic Ocean 
GREAT PLACE FOR: Adventurers 
For true seafaring folk, it's all about the ocean. From bustling South Shore marinas packed with practical fishing boats to the posh East End ports populated by luxury vessels, areas with Atlantic access attract adventurers. 
"Down on the South Shore, you have access to open ocean, and that's where the canyons are," Frye says, referring to deep trenches in the ocean floor that create changing conditions on the water. Frye, who owns a 21-foot fishing boat, says there are big fish out there. "You have tuna, shark, mahi-mahi. In late summer and early fall, you get swordfish 60 to 100 miles offshore." 
Montauk is even better, Frye says. "I like to fish, and out there is the best fishing on the Island. A bad day out there is a phenomenal day out of Merrick." And it's not only about the fishing. "It's central to boating destinations. It's easy access to go to Block Island. You could keep going north to Martha's Vineyard or the Cape. One step further, you can go right up to Newport." 
The water is rougher off Montauk -- 2- to 5-foot seas and winds at 15 to 20 knots are common, Frye says. Boaters can check on current water conditions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Coast Survey. The area is frequented by recreational and commercial fishing boats, as well as large luxury vessels. 
HOT SPOT: Try Freeport, home to the Nautical Mile: a boardwalk, park, mini-golf course and brick sidewalks lined with waterfront dining options, outdoor bars and clubs with live music. Freeport is busy for recreational and serious boating and overnight fishing excursions, with ocean access to the south through Jones Inlet. In the past 12 months, 271 homes sold in Freeport, ranging from $30,900 to $629,721. Homes on the market range from $39,999 for a studio co-op to $899,000 for a four-bedroom bayfront Colonial with a new bulkhead and four boat slips. 
IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT: A six-bedroom bayfront Colonial in Atlantic Beach with an in-ground pool and Jacuzzi, a bulkhead and a dock offers ocean access via Reynolds Channel to the East Rockaway Inlet. It's listed for $5,999,999 with Boris Streshinskiy of Daniel Gale Associates (516-6777-0030). 
IF YOU'RE A BOATER ON A BUDGET: The Town of Brookhaven's Maple Avenue public boat ramp in East Moriches features a wide concrete lane into Hart's Cove, which offers ocean access via Moriches Bay to Moriches Inlet. There's a nearby three-bedroom home with a private driveway in East Moriches for $225,000. It's listed with Frank Jannella of Shoreline Properties (631-878-0562). 
ON THE MARKET 
Roslyn Harbor $2,799,000 
This seven-bedroom, 5½-bathroom Gothic Victorian on 1.5 acres on Hempstead Harbor features a five-car garage with a one-bedroom guesthouse above it and a waterside boathouse. It has 300 feet of waterfront, which includes a bulkhead. The homeowner is not required to buy flood insurance. It's listed with Fran Soltz of Coldwell Banker Residential (516-330-1371 or 516-621-4336). 
Lindenhurst $560,000 
This four-bedroom expanded ranch features three boat slips and a former boathouse that's been converted to a tiki bar. It's on Neguntatogue Creek with access to the Great South Bay. Homeowner Spencer Ketcham says he wasn't required to buy flood insurance, but he chose to purchase a $250,000 policy with a $1,000 annual premium. The home is listed with Richard Bocchieri and Annie Bos Greene of Netter Real Estate (631-661-5100). 
Southold $549,000 
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom creek-front ranch features 180 feet of bulkhead and direct access to Peconic Bay. The homeowner is not required to buy flood insurance. It's listed with Kristen Rishe of North Fork Real Estate (631-734-7100). 
Sag Harbor $2.75 million 
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch on a 0.62-acre lot on Great Pond Creek features a bulkhead and a dock. Sag Harbor Bay has access to Gardiners Bay. Boaters can travel south around Gardiners Island and out past Montauk to reach the ocean. The home is listed with Gloria Doyle and Jane Gill of Saunders &amp; Associates (516-909-9591). 
THE SANDY FACTOR 
Sobering numbers every LI boater should know about the fallout of the October 2012 superstorm: 
32,000: Boats in the New York area damaged or lost due to Sandy, according to estimates by the Boat Owners Association of the United States. 
95,534: Long Island homes and businesses that were damaged or destroyed by the October 2012 storm, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency. 
18%: How much your flood insurance premium could rise every year till you reach full-risk rates if you buy a home in a high-risk location and your home loan comes from a federally regulated or insured lender. Legislation has begun phasing out federal subsidies that had kept flood insurance rates artificially low.

LSMAIN15.WEB

Great places for Long Island boaters to live

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Parting with tens of thousands of dollars in a single transaction is a scary prospect for first-time home buyers. Before laying out that down payment, they want reassurance that a starter home purchase will be a wise investment -- one that will build equity and pave the way for a trade-up in a few years. 
 The good news is that while prices and mortgage interest rates remain relatively affordable, it's becoming a much safer bet than it was several years ago that the value of a home purchased today will appreciate. "Inventory in the last six months is hitting the point where we're starting to see evidence of price appreciation -- or, worst case, stability, and poised for an increase," says real estate analyst Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel, a Manhattan-based appraisal firm that tracks Long Island real estate. "This is the beginning of the next era of the housing market." 
 Price stability 
 For the best odds, stick with communities where home prices have shown a good track record. The most stable markets tend to have reasonable taxes and ample moderately priced homes, because that's where demand is steadiest, says Kevin Leatherman, president of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. There tend to be fewer surprises in these markets than in those where demand may be somewhat tied to weather, the economy or other unpredictable forces. 
 Trade-up potential 
 A good starter neighborhood also should have a healthy supply of move-up homes, says Mary Alice Ruppert of Realty Connect USA. Buyers who can trade up tend to be less transient and more committed to the community, she says. 
 And the last piece of the puzzle, though hard to quantify, should be obvious: Realtors cite well-kept homes, brisk local commerce and lively turnouts for community events as the visible hallmarks buyers seek in the quintessential nice neighborhood. Look for them even if they're not important to you, because they're likely to appeal to future buyers -- after all, a starter home, by definition, is bought to be sold. 
 Size and price 
 Local Realtors say starter homes typically have three bedrooms and one to 1 1/2 bathrooms and range in price from $275,000 to $380,000 in Nassau and $250,000 to $350,000 in Suffolk. What follows is a sampling of five safe-bet starter- home communities where houses have held their value. Communities were selected by comparing the median sales price and the number of sales for the year ending in August 2013 with the same figures for the year ending in August 2012, according to data provided by the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. 
<hr> 
 VALLEY STREAM 
 TRACK RECORD The median sales price in Valley Stream rose 1.5 percent, from $325,000 for the year ending in August 2012 to $330,000 for the year ending in August 2013. The number of sales rose 13.4 percent for the same period, from 299 to 339. In the past 12 months there were 378 sales, ranging from $41,000 for a one-bedroom co-op with a monthly maintenance fee of $893 to $640,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial with annual taxes of $10,481. Some 277 of those homes were priced at less than $380,000, making up 73 percent of sales. 
 WHAT'S AVAILABLE There are 186 homes listed in Valley Stream. Prices range from $55,000 for a one-bedroom co-op with a monthly maintenance fee of $715 to $659,000 for a five-bedroom Colonial with annual taxes of $13,200. There are 92 homes priced below $380,000, making up 50 percent of homes listed. 
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 COMMUNITY LIFE Diverse Valley Stream has something for every stage of home ownership. "They have starter homes, they have medium homes and now they're building senior communities around the railroad station there," says Susan Helsinger of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. She says singles like being close to nightlife and the city. When they're ready to trade nightlife for family life, Valley Stream is ready for them. "It's a very good family community," says Helsinger. "They have one of the best chambers of commerce . . . very community-oriented." 
 There was a lively turnout for the recent Community Fest, a street fair celebrating Valley Stream's culture and businesses with music, food and activities. In addition to smaller businesses, Valley Stream is home to Green Acres Mall. 
 The community is getting excited for upcoming Halloween activities at Valley Stream's Hendrickson Park, including pumpkin painting and costume contests. And each summer at Fireman's Field, "they do a Fourth of July that's unbelievable," says Mary Alice Ruppert of Realty Connect USA, referring to the popular fireworks display. There's a summer concert series as well. 
 $359,000 
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 This three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bathroom Colonial in the Valley Stream 24 school district has hardwood floors and new windows. Annual taxes on the 40-by-100-foot lot are $7,873. It's listed with R. Cory Knopf of Hal Knopf Realty Inc. 
 SOUTH SETAUKET 
 TRACK RECORD The median sales price rose 7.7 percent, from $336,000 for the year ending August 2012 to $362,000 for the year ending August 2013, and the number of sales increased 33 percent, from 36 to 48, for the same period. In the past 12 months there were 49 sales in South Setauket, with prices ranging from $200,000 for a four-bedroom high-ranch with taxes of $6,859 to $650,000 for a four-bedroom ranch with taxes of $16,808. Some 18 of those homes were priced at less than $350,000, making up 37 percent of sales. 
 WHAT'S AVAILABLE There are 34 homes listed in South Setauket. Prices range from $239,990 for a four-bedroom ranch with taxes of $8,199 to $750,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $15,877. There are seven homes priced below $350,000 -- 21 percent of homes listed. 
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 COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS South Setauket is a great choice for first-time buyers who love the Three Village area and schools but may be priced out of the district's typically costlier areas such as Setauket and East Setauket. For some buyers, South Setauket is a smart steppingstone on the way to a North Shore neighborhood. Others choose to stay and expand, or trade up within the community, which has Colonials both old and new, ranches and Capes. 
 Either way, "they have pretty much everything at their fingertips," says Rose Raimondo Ricardo of Coldwell Banker Residential. "What keeps them there is the proximity to the roadways and shopping. It's a good community, close to the North Shore, parks and beaches." It is also convenient to stores and restaurants on Route 347 and Route 25A, as well as the Smith Haven Mall. It also offers easy access to cultural arts at the Staller Center on the Stony Brook University campus. 
 South Setauket students attend Ward Melville High School. Known for earning academic accolades, the school also throws an impressive homecoming shindig with a pep rally, bonfire, carnival, live music and, of course, the big game. 
 $349,000 
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 This three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch in the Three Village school district features a granite counter in the bathroom. It's listed with Rose Raimondo Ricardo of Coldwell Banker Residential. Annual taxes on the 0.23-acre property are $9,000. Click <a href="http://long-island-homes.newsday.com/eng/sales/detail/188-l-12694-2616411/88-bellwood-ave-south-setauket-ny-11720" target="_blank">here</a> for more information. 
 LEVITTOWN 
 TRACK RECORD The median sales price in Levittown rose 4.3 percent, from $297,000 in the year ending August 2012 to $310,000 in the year ending August 2013. The number of sales rose 3.6 percent, from 300 to 311, over the same period. In the past 12 months there were 317 sales in Levittown, ranging in price from $132,500 for a studio condo with annual taxes of $2,917 to $600,000 for a four-bedroom newly built house with annual taxes of $13,500. Some 270 of those homes were priced at less than $380,000, making up 85 percent of sales. 
 WHAT?S AVAILABLE There are 104 homes listed in Levittown. Prices range from $225,000 for a four-bedroom Cape with taxes of $9,374 to $599,000 for a six-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $17,639. There are 73 homes priced below $380,000, making up 70 percent of homes listed.&nbsp; 
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 COMMUNITY LIFE ?Levittown is a perfect example of a starter home community,? says Susan Helsinger of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. In fact, Levittown is where the starter home concept was born. Developed rapidly at the end of World War II to provide affordable homes for returning veterans, Levittown quickly became known for its side-by-side, 60-by-100-foot lots and uniform rows of ranches and Capes.&nbsp; 
 That uniformity has largely given way to variety over the years. ?A lot have been expanded,? says Mary Alice Ruppert of Realty Connect USA. That?s because in this tightly developed suburb, it?s not uncommon for growing families to build up rather than trade up, turning their starter home into their dream home. 
 Buyers like the central location, with easy access to Hempstead Turnpike and Wantagh Parkway. In recent years, revitalization efforts have brightened parts of Levittown?s business districts with new sidewalks and spruced-up storefronts. The parks received upgrades, too. Locals enjoy classic suburban pastimes such as movies and bowling; for instance, singles played amusing icebreaker games during a bowling mixer at South Levittown Lanes last week. Families favor Levittown?s annual Lazy Days of Summer festival, which offers face painting, pony rides and other kid-friendly fun. 
 $298,000 
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 The bathroom, roof, furnace, wood floors and stainless-steel appliances are all new in this three-bedroom, one-bathroom Cape. The home is in the Levittown school district. Annual taxes for the 60-by-100-foot property are $9,274. It?s listed with Jill Brown and Susan Hucke of Daniel Gale Sotheby?s International Realty.&nbsp; 
 
 HOLTSVILLE 
 TRACK RECORD The median sales price in Holtsville held steady at $340,000 for the year ending August 2012 to the year ending August 2013. The number of sales rose 25 percent, from 60 to 75. In the past 12 months there were 119 sales in Holtsville with prices ranging from $70,000 for a one-bedroom co-op with a monthly maintenance fee of $631 to $600,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $13,003. Some 81 of those homes were priced at less than $350,000, making up 68 percent of sales. 
 WHAT'S AVAILABLE There are 68 homes listed for sale in Holtsville. Prices range from $124,990 for a one-bedroom co-op with an $843 monthly maintenance fee to $599,990 for a four-bedroom Colonial with annual taxes of $10,000. There are 44 homes priced below $350,000, making up 65 percent of homes listed. 
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 COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Residents of all ages gravitate to the Town of Brookhaven Ecology Center and Animal Preserve in Holtsville. There's a zoo with an assortment of rescued wildlife on exhibit, playground, fitness trail and three-pool swimming complex. The center is also the site of seasonal festivities -- for instance, locals gather here each February to hear the Groundhog Day prognostication of furry resident Holtsville Hal. 
 Dinner and a movie are easy to come by in Holtsville. The theaters at Island 16: Cinema de Lux in Holtsville features stadium seating. There are also three Director's Halls where, for an extra $3, you can reserve specific seats in advance, and servers will deliver food and drink orders to your seat. There's even a small bar on the premises, Chatters Bar &amp; Grill, where moviegoers can enjoy cocktails and pub fare. Several restaurants share the parking lot with the multiplex, as well. 
 A starter home budget in Holtsville can get you anything from a two-bedroom condo to a five-bedroom high-ranch, as well as an assortment of Colonials, split-levels and Capes. When you're ready to trade up, there's a gated homeowner association with newer Colonials. New homes are under construction, as well. 
 $299,990 
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 This three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch in the Sachem school district features a large den with skylights. Annual taxes for the 120-by-100-foot property are $8,475. It's listed with Cynthia Durand of Realty Connect USA LLC. 
 MALVERNE 
 TRACK RECORD The median sales price in Malverne rose 3.5 percent, from $361,250 in the year ending August 2012 to $374,000 in the year ending August 2013. The number of sales went from 76 to 74 over the same period, a 2.6 percent dip. In the past 12 months there were 81 sales in Malverne, with prices ranging from $200,000 for a two-bedroom Cape with taxes of $7,537 to $595,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $17,033. Some 35 of those homes were priced at less than $380,000, making up 43 percent of sales. 
 WHAT'S AVAILABLE There are 34 homes for sale in Malverne, with prices ranging from $328,000 for a two-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $11,365 to $749,000 for a five-bedroom Colonial with taxes of $17,373. Twelve homes are priced below $380,000, making up 35 percent of homes listed. 
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 COMMUNITY LIFE Malverne is a surprising oasis of quaint village living that belies the community's proximity to the city -- about a 42-minute train ride from the Long Island Rail Road Malverne station to Penn Station. 
 "There's a lot of charm and character," says Kevin Leatherman, broker owner of Coldwell Banker Surf in Rockville Centre. "It's very residential. . . . It has an old-town feel." This is, in part, because local commerce consists mostly of village shops and restaurants as opposed to strip malls, Leatherman says. 
 Attractions include a movie theater, 16-lane bowling alley and Crossroads Farm at Grossman's, a working certified organic farm where the Malverne Civic Association held its annual wine tasting last week. 
 $350,000 
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 This three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath ranch in Valley Stream's 13 school district has stainless-steel appliances. Annual taxes for the 100-by-102-foot property are $11,073 after a STAR reduction of $1,303. It's listed as a short sale with Cheryl Uram of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. 
 MEDIAN SALES PRICES 
 Nassau County: $445,000 
 Suffolk County: $347,750 
 SOURCE: Multiple Listing Service of Long Island through August 2013

LSMAIN11.WEB

Best places to live on Long Island for first-time home buyers

Setauket Homecoming 1 -crop /

When Jack and Joan Armitage of Levittown got the startling call that they'd reached the top of a senior housing waiting list much sooner than expected -- and learned that their move would coincide with hip replacement surgery for Joan -- their intended future abruptly became their present. 
 Fortunately, Jack, 83, and Joan, 80, had made some smart choices well before Joan needed surgery. So the hectic transition from their 10-room house to a three-room apartment marked the beginning of this couple's happily ever after in a home suited for their changing needs: a sunny first-floor end unit with a roomy parking spot for easy walker maneuvering, in an affordable senior community in East Meadow, close to family and friends. 
 House-hunting seniors hoping for a similarly bright future should follow the Armitages' example -- starting with scoping out potential new digs in advance, says Diane Landau, the East Meadow-based senior relocation specialist who helped the couple find their home and make the move. Landau owns Memories on the Move, which assists seniors and their families with the challenges associated with downsizing and relocating, or modifying, a home. 
 Landau recommends starting a search while you're still in good health, as early as age 60, and inquiring about waiting lists up to five years before a move. 
 Successful senior living will largely boil down to finding a place that offers things like transportation options, opportunities to socialize and a selection of homes that are set up for, or can be adapted to, declining physical abilities. 
 A number of Long Island communities fit the bill -- including some neighborhoods previously highlighted in the Best Places to Live series, such as Huntington, Great Neck and Stony Brook -- with perks for all ages such as walkability, cultural arts and parks, as well as senior-specific housing, clubs and services. 
 Here, we shine a light on some senior hot spots you may not have heard about, along with a sampling of what you can get for the county's median sales price (or close to it): $435,000 for Nassau and $335,000 for Suffolk as of July, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. 
 NEW HYDE PARK 
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 New Hyde Park was the birthplace of Project Independence, an aging-in-place program launched in 2005 that has grown to serve all 50,000 or so senior adults residing in the Town of North Hempstead. The program was the first of its kind to be sponsored by a local government in New York State, according to the town council. 
 Among the benefits for residents 60 and older are free weekday transportation to designated shopping centers and discounted taxi service to nonemergency medical and dental appointments. The program also connects seniors to exercise classes, social events and even handyman and yard work services. 
 Within the Town of North Hempstead, senior real estate specialist Lynne Kleinman says she especially likes the housing stock in New Hyde Park for seniors. For those who don't want the responsibility of outdoor maintenance, she recommends the apartment buildings, many of which are equipped with elevators. And those who still prefer a house will find an ample stock of Capes, which usually have one or two bedrooms and a full bathroom on the first floor -- "so, as you're aging, you don't have to navigate steps," says Kleinman, who co-owns a senior move management business with Ellen Blank. She also recommends nearby Great Neck Village for its walkability to cultural and retail centers. 
 Proximity to local hospitals such as Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park is also a comfort to older adults. "A lot of people ask where the nearest hospital is" when seeking a home to spend their retirement years, says Diane Landau, a founding member of the L.I. chapter of the nonprofit National Aging in Place Council, which promotes independent living for seniors who want to remain in their homes as they age. 
 $440,000 in New Hyde Park 
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 This three-bedroom, one-bathroom Cape has the master bedroom and a bathroom on the first floor. It's listed with Thomas Schrafel and Jane Schrafel of Coach Realtors. Prices for single-family homes in New Hyde Park range from $175,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $1.199 million for a six-bedroom Colonial. 
 RIVERHEAD 
 Riverhead is a hot spot for the active 55-and-over set, says Kathleen Mazza, owner of the senior relocation service Island Transitions in East Setauket. "Over the last 15 or 20 years, they have put a bunch of planned communities north of Route 58," she says, citing condo developments such as Saddle Lakes, Stoneleigh Woods, Willow Ponds and Mill Ponds. 
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 Condos with amenities such as grounds maintenance, pools, fitness facilities and social activities appeal to seniors like Bob Kiernan, 64. Kiernan moved into the Stoneleigh Woods 55-and-over community late last year because he says he liked the layout, the price and the amenities. "It's nice that I don't have to mow the lawn anymore, take care of my pool anymore," says Kiernan. He adds that the community has social activities such as card and trivia games, movie nights and happy hours. 
 Active retirees like Kiernan can indulge a golf passion at a number of golf courses in Riverhead, including 18-hole courses at Cherry Creek Golf Links, the Woods at Cherry Creek or the Suffolk County- owned and -operated Indian Island Country Club, or a nine-hole course at Sandy Pond Par 3. "I play a lot of golf," says Kiernan, a former high schoolteacher and golf coach. "It's nice that Cherry Creek is only six or seven minutes away. I play in a senior league." 
 Riverhead also has a walkable downtown offering shopping, dining and cultural arts such as the Suffolk Theatre, which has live performances, and East End Arts, which has art exhibits, poetry readings and more. And grandparents know it'll be easy to persuade the grandkids to visit with attractions nearby such as the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead and Splish Splash Water Park in Calverton. The Hilton Garden Inn and the Hyatt Place Hotel mean even those who choose to retire in smaller homes can have extended family come to town. 
 $329,000 in Riverhead 
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 This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the Sunken Pond adult community is listed with Joan Waggoner of Bagshaw Real Estate LLC. Home prices in Riverhead range from $15,900 for a two-bedroom mobile home to $2.9 million for a four-bedroom Craftsman Cape on a 7.4-acre estate with a water view. 
 WEST BABYLON 
 Seniors seeking seniors for neighbors will find plenty in West Babylon, which has the highest over-60 population in Suffolk County -- more than 8,300 residents in that age group, according to the latest available U.S. census data. "Socialization is a big issue for seniors," says Barbara Feldman, owner of Manhasset-based A Nu Start, a senior relocation service. It's important to have peers nearby, because even healthy, active older adults can be at risk for becoming isolated. "They lose a spouse, or friends have died. . . . That's a big issue," she says. 
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 Social seniors can get together at the Friends of West Babylon Library events, such as the annual Spring Senior Citizens Party and monthly Atlantic City bus excursions. The library also periodically offers programs dealing with important topics such as senior scams, medication management, fall prevention and safe driving. There's also a gentle exercise class to help arthritis sufferers improve their flexibility, coordination, balance and strength. 
 West Babylon is in the Town of Babylon, which has four senior centers in nearby Amityville, Copiague, Wyandanch and North Babylon. All four offer recreational, cultural and health programs for adults over age 60. Resident seniors can get help with household repairs and free transportation to senior centers. Activities include arts and crafts, computer instruction, dance classes, parties and trips. 
 Senior-friendly housing options in West Babylon include 55-and-over communities run by Fairfield Properties and Conifer Living, and Sunrise of West Babylon, an assisted-living facility. Seniors can find similar-aged pals in nearby Fairfield Harbor at Babylon Village, a 55-and-over community. 
 $339,000 in West Babylon 
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 This three-bedroom, one-bath split-level is on a 75-by-95-foot lot. It's listed with Joseph Ferraro of Assist 2 Sell US Home &amp; Realty. Home prices in West Babylon range from $90,000 for a co-op to $849,000 for a three-bedroom Postmodern. 
 EAST MEADOW 
 Seniors on a budget can still enjoy the carefree co-op lifestyle in East Meadow. The Town of Hempstead created a Golden Age Zoning district to provide affordable housing to income-qualified seniors. This includes The Knolls -- that's where the Armitages live -- and The Meadows, both in East Meadow. "They're all really nice . . . and you have your own little co-op in a little development of seniors for the average Joe," says Diane Landau, an East Meadow-based senior relocation specialist. Both have swimming pools and other recreational facilities. The town also offers a selection of affordable rental apartments for residents over age 62. 
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 The area boasts plenty of enrichment opportunities for seniors. "East Meadow is a great place to retire because it has Eisenhower Park, which has golf, senior exercise programs, swimming programs, and there are concerts in the evening," says Landau. One of the Town of Hempstead's 16 senior centers is in East Meadow, offering social, recreational and educational activities. Nearby Hofstra University has a stimulating 55-and-over program called PEIR: Personal Enrichment in Retirement. Scheduled programs, monthly meetings and informal lunches give seniors the opportunity to engage in intellectual discussions and teach and learn from one another. 
 Landau recommends nearby North Bellmore for those who still prefer a house, but could do without the stairs. "North Bellmore has a whole group of ranches that are really nice," she says. "Everything is on one level." 
 And you don't have far to travel for social and educational enrichment, she adds. "The continuing education is really good in Merrick- 
 Bellmore for seniors and for everybody. They have a lot of day programs as well as night" -- a plus for some older adults who prefer to be home before dark. This fall's schedule includes seniors-only dance and fitness classes such as Country Western Line Dance and Heart Healthy Aerobics for Fifty Plus, as well as a variety of courses in arts and crafts, computers, language arts and defensive driving. 
 $435,000 in East Meadow 
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 This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo has a balcony. It's in The Seasons, a 55-and-over community with indoor and outdoor pools. The home is listed with Joseph DeVito of Keller Williams Realty Landmark. Prices for single-family homes in East Meadow range from $264,900 for a four-bedroom expanded Cape on a 60- by-99-foot lot to $949,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial on a 61-by-290-foot lot. 
 PLAINVIEW 
 There's an impressive array of community activities, services and resources for senior citizens in Plainview. At the Mid-Island Y JCC, a community center, you'll find seniors-only social events, lectures, group discussions and educational activities. Some are for ages 60 or 65 and up, while others are reserved for those who've reached or passed the milestone of their 75th birthday. 
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 There are two over-60 service programs here: Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares (POB Cares) offers free services and resources to senior residents of Plainview and Old Bethpage who live east of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, while Project Plainview Assisting Community Elders (Project PACE) does the same for those who reside in Plainview west of the expressway. Both offer free assistance with health care, such as in-home assistance with a registered nurse and transportation to medical appointments. They also provide help with food shopping and minor home repairs, as well as social activities. 
 The library is another big draw for retired folks. "Bethpage-Plainview Library is excellent, with many, many activities," says senior relocation specialist Diane Landau. The library's programs include senior enrichment and fitness classes, a mature driving course and bus trips to Atlantic City and other destinations. It's also the meeting place of the 50+ Ski Club -- a sports activities club for seniors. 
 Plainview is in the Town of Oyster Bay, which gives residents access to all the recreational programs provided by the town's Senior Citizens Services, including luncheons, day trips, crafts, exercise classes, card games and other activities at various locations throughout the town. Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park offers an aquatic program for seniors as part of the town's Senior Summer Program. 
 For senior-friendly, low-maintenance living, check out Plainview's condo communities, such as the Villas or The Seasons at Plainview. For high-end, resort-style living, try The Hamlet on Olde Oyster Bay. For affordable senior housing elsewhere in the town, Town of Oyster Bay residents can apply for Golden Age Housing communities in Bethpage, Woodbury or Massapequa. 
 $429,000 in Plainview 
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 This three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo is in The Hamlet on Olde Oyster Bay, an all-ages homeowners' association. It's listed with Fern Altman of Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes &amp; Estates. Home prices in Plainview range from $259,000 for a two-bedroom condo to $1.399 million for a five-bedroom contemporary.

LSMAIN20.WEB

Long Island's best places to live for seniors

Seniors Zumba -crop /

When you share an island with nearly three million people -- many of whom take to the roads and public transportation at about the same time every day -- finding a home close to the workplace can feel akin to discovering the Holy Grail. But it's not so elusive: Living on Long Island puts residents close to employers in health care, technology and education -- three of the fastest-growing job sectors in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 
 Those fields are also expected to show the fastest growth on Long Island through 2018, according to a Long Island Association report based on New York State Department of Labor projections. "There are major job hubs," says Pearl Kamer, author of the report and former chief economist for the Long Island Association. Kamer cites communities with hospitals, universities, corporate operations and county government as some of the most job-dense areas. 
 And there's a push to promote local jobs through entrepreneurship. Start-up incubators and local organizations such as Accelerate Long Island -- a collaboration of research institutions, the Long Island Association and the Town of Brookhaven -- are helping fledgling companies grow by connecting them with low-cost or free cooperative workspaces, mentoring and funding. Local government is doing its part; for instance, Suffolk County recently approved $140,000 in tax breaks for a new business accelerator in downtown Huntington that will assist tech start-ups by offering mentorship and leasing office space in an 8,522-square-foot space. 
 Here are some picks for great places to live on Long Island if you want a home that's convenient to a job hub -- and a sampling of what you can get for each county's median closed sales price (or close to it): $425,000 for Nassau and $340,000 for Suffolk as of June, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. 
 STONY BROOK 
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 Stony Brook is a standout in all three of Long Island's fastest-growing job categories: health care, education and technology. Stony Brook University -- which comprises a hospital, state university and high-tech business incubator -- has more than 15,000 employees, making it Long Island's largest single-site employer as of its 2011-2012 annual report. 
 According to the report, Stony Brook University employs a hospital staff of 6,273, an academic staff of 3,963 and a nonacademic staff of 4,981. It's also home to the Long Island High Technology Incubator, a nonprofit that has housed and supported more than 70 start-ups. 
 "The Stony Brook incubator is phenomenal," says Tal Eidelberg, whose hospital software company, Intrigma, Inc., started out there. "They have a lot of biotech firms, and for that kind of stuff they're second to none. They have pharma companies, medical device companies -- all that stuff requires labs, expensive equipment, access to serious, heavy-hitting researchers," he says. "There's an enormous amount of activity there." 
 Of occupations with the largest number of projected jobs through 2018 on Long Island, four out of the top five are health-care related. For those seeking a home near jobs in this category, Stony Brook is a great pick, because in addition to Stony Brook University Hospital, the community also offers easy access to nearby Port Jefferson, where both John T. Mather Hospital and St. Charles Hospital are located. 
 $338,888 
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 This three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch is located in the Three Village school district. It's listed with Michael Ardolino of Realty Connect USA. 
 Home prices in Stony Brook range from $199,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $1.899 million for a six-bedroom estate on a 6.01-acre lot. 
 MINEOLA 
 Mineola is an obvious choice for those seeking homes near a hub "because you have both the hospital and the county government," says Kamer. Winthrop-University Hospital, which employs 6,000 people, is located in Mineola. The Nassau county executive's office is located there, too. 
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 Mineola is also a short drive from several institutes of higher learning; it's about three miles from Adelphi University's main campus in Garden City, which has 1,068 full-time employees and 464 part-timers; about five miles from Nassau County Community College in Garden City, which has 1,132 full-time employees and 1,470 part-time; and about four miles from Hofstra University in Hempstead, which has a staff of 2,472, including full- and part-time faculty and non-faculty. 
 There's support for entrepreneurs in Mineola, too. LaunchPad Long Island, a 12,000-square-foot business incubator offering seed capital and low-cost, shared workspace, is located just south of the Long Island Rail Road's Mineola train station. LITech COMETS, a start-up accelerator program, moved into LaunchPad Long Island earlier this year. The program selects promising start-ups and provides them with free workspace in the building, mentoring and the opportunity to apply for local seed money. 
 $430,000 
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 This four-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape is in the Mineola school district. It's listed with Claudia Jardin of Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. Home prices in Mineola range from $104,999 for a studio apartment in a co-op to $849,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial on a 50-by-140-foot lot. 
 MELVILLE 
 For homes near jobs, look at neighborhoods near the business-dense stretch of Route 110 between the Northern State and Southern State parkways, known as the Route 110 corridor. Melville is one of these communities, where large corporations such as Nikon and Estée Lauder have operations -- and where Canon USA recently opened its headquarters. 
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 "I deal with plenty of people that work in the area that are looking to live nearby," says real estate agent Eliot Lonardo. "I think that Melville is a great location, not only for Route 110, but because it's the westernmost part of Suffolk." 
 The Melville area is also a good place for bioscience entrepreneurs: It's convenient to the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park, a nonprofit partnership between Farmingdale State College, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, which supports bioscience start-ups by providing lab space at affordable lease rates. While the recent departure of the park's anchor tenant, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., means plans to expand the park have been put on hold, it frees up lab space for new businesses to move into the facility, which is located on the Farmingdale State College campus. 
 $359,000 
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 This three-bedroom raised ranch in the South Huntington school district was listed at $359,000 with Eliot Lonardo of Long Island?s Finest Homes in Melville. At press time, the home had gone into contract. Home prices in Melville range from $315,000 for a four-bedroom expanded Cape on a 0.31-acre lot to $2.295 million for a six-bedroom Colonial on a 1.09-acre lot. 
 HICKSVILLE 
 Bustling Hicksville has a sprawling commercial district, with corporate operations of large companies such as Sam Ash Music Corp., mattress retailer Sleepy's and National Grid USA, as well as Broadway Mall, anchored by big-box retailers such as Target and Ikea. 
 The hamlet is centrally located, with access to major roads in every direction, including the Long Island Expressway, the Northern State Parkway and Route 106/107.<img align="right" src="http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.5855463.1375974118!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_300/image.JPG" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px"> Hicksville's Long Island Rail Road station is a busy hub, with connections to the Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson lines. Commuters can take their pick of about two dozen peak trains to New York City on weekday mornings, with most rides taking between 39 and 50 minutes. 
 House hunters in the health care field will find an easy commute to nearby hospitals, such as an eight-minute drive to Plainview Hospital in Plainview and a 10-minute drive to Nassau University Medical Center. 
 The convenient location, reasonable costs and collection of colorful cuisines might make Hicksville an alluring spot for a growing tech start-up scene. For instance, the hamlet is home to Thought Box, a $30-million incubator of early-stage businesses, including hospital software innovator Intrigma Inc. "It's a great spot because it's right on the train line, it's not overly expensive and it's within reach to the city and the airports," says Tal Eidelberg, Intrigma's chief executive. He moved his business from the Stony Brook incubator to its new Hicksville home earlier this year to be closer to staff in Queens and Brooklyn. 
 Eidelberg sees the area catching on as a place for up-and-coming techies to collaborate in a casual setting. "There's a lot of activity here; people coming in, joining the talks, hanging with other entrepreneurs in the restaurants," says Eidelberg. "The restaurants are exotic, with good food, and affordable, so it's kind of a neat spot," he says, adding that the community even attracts visiting techies from out of state. "They come in to visit, to see what we're doing, to learn from us, to teach us. It's like a tech entrepreneurial hangout." 
 $438,000 
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 This three-bedroom, three-bathroom expanded Cape is on a landscaped 70-by-103-foot lot in the Hicksville school district. <a href="http://long-island-homes.newsday.com/eng/sales/detail/188-l-2113265-2593696/228-8th-st-hicksville-ny-11801" target="_blank">It is listed with Andrea Costello and Michele Gort of Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes &amp; Estates. </a>Prices for single-family homes in Hicksville range from $158,000 for a three-bedroom cottage on an 85-by-125-foot lot to $679,000 for a five-bedroom high-ranch on a 70-by-137-foot lot. 
 HAUPPAUGE 
 Buying a home in Hauppauge will put you in the same neighborhood as one of the largest industrial parks in the nation. The 1,400-acre Hauppauge Industrial Park is the site of about 1,300 companies that employ some 55,000 people. 
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 "We house some of the largest pharmaceutical companies on Long Island," says Terri Alessi-Miceli, president of the Hauppauge Industrial Association, which represents businesses in the park. "In itself, that helps it become a job hub. The business profile of it, the economic engine portion of it, helps it become a hub for a myriad of types of industries." 
 For instance, some 24 percent of the park's businesses are in the wholesale trade industry, 20 percent are in manufacturing and 16 percent are in professional, scientific and tech services. 
 Kamer says that Hauppauge, the site of Suffolk County government offices, is also a good choice for those who want to live near public sector jobs. 
 $349,000 
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 This four-bedroom, two-bathroom expanded Cape <a href="http://long-island-homes.newsday.com/eng/sales/detail/188-l-445-2481716/46-falcon-dr-hauppauge-ny-11788" target="_blank">is listed as a short sale with Pamela Zaid of Coach Realtors</a>. 
 Home prices in Hauppauge range from $125,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $3.85 million for a 12-acre family compound with three houses and three stables. 
 CORRECTION An earlier version of this story had the wrong firm for Eliot Lonardo. He is with Long Island?s Finest Homes in Melville.

LSMAIN09.WEB

Best places to live on LI: Where the jobs are

Mineola -crop

Woodland trails and tennis courts, sandy shores and skating rinks -- whether you prefer man-made or natural terrain for getting your fit on, buying a home on Long Island ensures an abundance of options for staying active. That's especially true in the summer, says Richard Laskowski, a professor and the former dean of physical education and athletics at Stony Brook University. 
 "We are on an island, and that affords us an unusual amount of summer activities, more than in other places," says Laskowski. "Water sports, surfing, wind surfing, stand-up paddle surfing. . . . You can kayak almost anywhere on Long Island. You have miles and miles of pristine private and public beaches." 
 And it's not just about the water, he adds. Thanks to the island's parks, trails and tempting summer weather, "you can bike, you can hike, you can run, do horseback riding in a number of places," he says. 
 Although Long Island homeowners never have to travel far to find fitness activities, certain communities have exceptional offerings for the active. Here are Newsday's picks for the best places to live on Long Island if you want easy access to athletic activities -- and a sampling of what you can get for each county's median sale price (or as close to it as possible): $390,000 for Nassau and $315,000 for Suffolk as of May. &nbsp; 
 COLD SPRING HARBOR 
 Hikers and cyclists seeking everything from family-friendly nature walks to challenging terrain will find what they're looking for along the scenic North Shore. "There is a lot of beautiful scenery," including views of Gold Coast mansions, says Bill Selsky, president of Long Island Bicycle Club. "Most cyclists in clubs would prefer the North Shore. It's a little more challenging, a little hillier, which is something we're kind of looking for." Members usually ride back roads off Route 25A and north of 25A, and through neighborhoods, he says. 
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 In fact, Cold Spring Harbor is the starting point for Long Island's first state Department of Transportation-designated long-distance bike route -- an 85-mile stretch beginning at the Long Island Rail Road station in Cold Spring Harbor and ending at the Orient Point ferry terminal. Other popular road routes that start in Cold Spring Harbor include a 16-mile route that travels through Lloyd Harbor to Caumsett State Historic Park, where riders can find a 2-mile off-road route to the Sound and a 15.8-mile roundtrip route that runs north on Cove Road, past Sagamore Hill to the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Cove Neck. 
 For hikers, Cold Spring Harbor's Uplands Farm Sanctuary, a 97-acre nature preserve, features a 2.4-mile double-loop trail that's well marked and mostly level, making it an inviting walk for beginners and families. For hikers who are ready to take it up a notch, that smallish trail connects to the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail in Cold Spring Harbor State Park. This one will challenge hikers, with unusually hilly terrain for Long Island, and reward them with gorgeous harbor views. The 40-acre park is a good place to exercise even in winter: It has cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. 
 $649,999 
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 There are no homes for sale in Cold Spring Harbor listed at or near Suffolk County's median closed sale price of $315,000. The lowest- priced home in the community has three structures, two of which are pictured. It's listed with Risa Ziegler and Jyll Kata of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. The highest-priced home is a five-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom Colonial on a 2.4-acre lot listed for $4.395 million. 
 GREAT NECK 
 For man-made athletic facilities, the Great Neck Park District is a standout -- especially for tennis players. District residents with a park card (free with proof of residency) can purchase a season tennis sticker for $75 ($65 for seniors) to play on 29 outdoor tennis courts throughout the district's parks. The Parkwood Sports Complex also offers a four-court indoor tennis center (court fees are $26-$33 an hour). 
 "Long Island in general is a great place for tennis enthusiasts, with a large number of public and private courts throughout both counties," but Great Neck is exceptional in this regard, says Bill Mecca, a Long Island representative for the United States Tennis Association. The district boasts 20 Har-Tru courts -- a soft, clay-like playing surface -- which, Mecca says, is "unusual for a public facility." He adds, "Their indoor venue is very well maintained and staffed." The area has a number of privately run tennis clubs as well, he says. 
 The district includes the Parkwood Sports Complex. In addition to tennis courts, the complex features an ice rink and ample facilities for water sports, including an Olympic-size swimming pool and an intermediate pool. And even Parkwood's lazy river isn't just for the lazy -- there are designated times for walking against the current for a resistance workout. The district includes the villages of Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Kings Point, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock Estates, Thomaston and the unincorporated village of Great Neck. 
 For tennis enthusiasts, nearby Garden City runs a close second to Great Neck, Mecca says. "Garden City also has a four-court indoor public facility, plus about 20 other courts." 
 $399,000 
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 This two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op features granite countertops, custom kitchen cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances. It's listed with Wendy Sanders of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Home prices in Great Neck range from $70,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $16.98 million for a six-bedroom waterfront Colonial. 
 WANTAGH 
 Though some post-Sandy house hunters express skittishness about buying in South Shore communities, you don't have to live in a flood zone to enjoy the South Shore lifestyle and a surprising variety of athletic offerings. Wantagh is a great example: The community has homes that are safely outside the FEMA flood zone -- such as the one pictured here -- and residents enjoy easy access to Jones Beach, as well as proximity to two Nassau County parks with a number of fitness amenities. 
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 Sports offerings at the waterfront Wantagh Park include a basketball court, five tennis courts and several ballfields, as well as two walking and cycling paths and a two-mile fitness trail with 20 activity stations for exercises, such as pullups, balance walking and sit-ups. The park's pool complex -- available to county residents at a steep discount compared to nonresidents -- includes an Olympic-size main pool, diving pool and training pool, as well as water features for kids. 
 And Wantagh's Cedar Creek Park has eight tennis courts, eight paddleball courts, two basketball courts and several playing fields. The park even has an archery range, sledding hills and a year-round roller rink. Walkers, joggers and cyclers can enjoy a 1.5-mile path and a 1-mile path within the park. 
 But for a longer jaunt, they can take the newly expanded Jones Beach bike path -- a paved pedestrian and bicycle path that originates at Cedar Creek Park and follows Wantagh Parkway all the way down to the beach. The flat, paved path is a favorite for beginners and casual cyclers, says Bill Selsky, president of the 200-member Long Island Bicycling Club. "It's scenic, protected, not on a road, and it gets you to Jones Beach." And if you've still got energy left to burn after that bike ride, the beach and boardwalk are, of course, perfect for a swim, walk or jog. 
 $394,999 
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 This four-bedroom, two-bathroom expanded ranch features three-zone heat. It's listed with Joyce Friedman and Theodore Torgensen of Century 21 AA Realty. Homes for sale in Wantagh range from a four-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch for $100,000 to a four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom Colonial for $829,000. 
 GREENPORT 
 The lush North Fork is a popular choice for scenic tours by bike, kayak or canoe, providing opportunities to observe birds, wildlife, flora and fauna while getting a great workout. "We have water on both sides, and it's only a mile or two across, so it really gives you a lot of access to water," says Doug Murphy, owner of Eagle's Neck Paddling Co., which offers bike and kayak rentals. "If you're looking to stay close to shore, we have a myriad of estuaries. There are dozens of creeks . . . and it's just a fabulous place." 
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 The seaside village of Greenport is attractive to paddlers because of its proximity to Orient Beach and other alluring waterways. Greenport's Maritime Festival, held annually in September, even features a harbor-front kayak derby. 
 "If you're a sea kayaker, if you're into touring, you can go from Greenport to Shelter Island, or over to the south side," says Murphy, who has boat rental locations in Southold, New Suffolk and Orient. "Our best one is at Orient Beach State Park," he says. "I send families out there especially, because there's so much else to do. You can go out for the whole day -- swimming hiking, kayaking. It's a nice area for families to go." 
 To maximize your day of fitness, you could even skip the drive: A marked bikeway connects Greenport to the park. 
 $315,000 
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 This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo is listed with Vincent Panettieri of Vin Pan Realty Inc. Home prices in Greenport range from $95,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $7 million for a 7.8-acre, three-parcel waterfront estate with two houses. 
 BETHPAGE 
 Bethpage State Park is a golfer's dream, with five 18-hole regulation golf courses that are open to the public. The most famous, of course, is the devilishly challenging Black Course, which has twice hosted the U.S. Open golf championship. Bethpage Black is only recommended for low-handicap golfers. Beginners can feel comfortable playing on the Yellow Course or the gently sloped Green Course, while those seeking a moderate challenge may prefer the Blue Course or the Red Course. 
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 Living anywhere in New York State grants golfers a generous reduction in fees -- residents pay only about half what nonresidents pay to play. But those who choose to buy a home in Bethpage have the added advantage of a short trip to the course, reducing the risk of missing tee time due to traffic. The park's fitness amenities also include playing fields, sports courts and bridle paths. 
 Bethpage also offers natural attractions for the active. Densely developed Nassau County may not be the first place that springs to mind for outdoorsy pursuits such as hiking or cycling. But if you prefer Nassau's proximity to the city, living in a community along the 20-mile Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, which spans the north-south stretch from Cold Spring Harbor State Park to the Massapequa Preserve, will put you steps away from a precious sliver of preserved nature -- and the longest hiking trail in the county. Bethpage offers access to that trail, as well as a popular four-mile, mixed-terrain mountain bike trail that parallels parts of the paved path. 
 For road riders, the 80-mile Central Suffolk Bikeway also originates at Bethpage State Park. Cyclists ride along Quaker Meeting House Road, Bethpage Road and Main Street to the Long Island Rail Road station in Farmingdale. From there, the route follows the rail line, running clear out to Riverhead. 
 $399,000 
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 This five-bedroom, two-bath expanded ranch has a new stove and refrigerator. It's listed with John Pentecost of Graceful Park Realty. Home prices in Bethpage range from $124,900 for a one-bedroom, one-bath co-op to $699,990 for a four-bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom high-ranch.

LSMAIN12.WEB

Best places to live on Long Island: For active people

Great Neck -crop

There's a place where cultural arts lovers can hear the New York Philharmonic play, see work by local and international artists, and watch Broadway actors perform live onstage -- and Long Islanders don't have to cross a bridge or tunnel to get there. It's all right here. 
 In fact, buying a home on Long Island affords culture seekers "a very distinctive environment and culture for the arts that one cannot enjoy in either more urban or more rural venues," says Karl Emil Willers, director of the Nassau County Museum of Art. 
 "There is both a sophistication and an intimacy to the arts scene on Long Island that is not available anywhere else," he says. "We have major performing arts centers, important museums and innovative galleries, as well as many vibrant colleges and universities." 
 Proximity to venues such as the NYCB Theatre at Westbury was part of what attracted Marc Bender, 38, an assets manager, to his Roslyn Estates home in 2010. "It's not like going to an event at Madison Square Garden with 19,500 people . . . which doesn't give you anywhere near the intimate feeling you get when it feels like whoever is performing is essentially performing for you," he says. (Read about his home, listed for $2.998 million, in Rich Cribs. He's building a new home elsewhere on the Island.) 
 Christine Petersen, vice president of the relocation division of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, says Bender's desire to live near the Island's cultural centers is not unusual -- it's a common wish list item for her clients. "When people are deciding where on Long Island to move, coming from another part of America or the world . . . very often people want to know about the cultural amenities, and it's a big draw," says Petersen. 
 Here are some picks for great places to live on Long Island if you want easy access to a cultural arts scene -- and a sampling of what you can get for each county's median sale price (or close to it): $390,000 for Nassau and $300,000 in Suffolk as of April, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. 
 EAST END 
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 For artists, "the East End has always had its own attraction -- initially, the combination of the light and the land is what visual artists were attracted to . . . the way the light diffused, because it was surrounded by water," says Hofstra University journalism professor Peter Goodman, a former Newsday music critic and cultural arts writer. 
 A major opening in the art world last year was the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill (pictured). "The one place I think would serve as a year-round attraction is the new Parrish because of its size and its location," says Goodman. The sunny, lofty space exhibits American artists, with a special focus on those from the East End. 
 East Hampton is home to Guild Hall, which has an art museum, a theater and an education program. Guild Hall Museum collects, preserves and presents the works of internationally known and new local talent. Events at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall include concerts, comedy, film and dramatic readings. East Hampton also has about two dozen art galleries. 
 Other live venues include Amagansett's The Stephen Talkhouse, where the summer lineup features Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega, the 425-seat Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, which will showcase big-name comics such as Kathy Griffin and Tracy Morgan and musicians such as Natalie Cole and Michael Bolton this season, and Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theatre, presenting plays and musicals (currently "Lend Me a Tenor"). 
 For East End cultural arts without the Hamptons price tag, follow the glow of the dazzling marquee to the 350-seat Suffolk Theatre in Riverhead. The restored movie theater-turned-playhouse has live performances several nights a week, including music, comedy, magic and dinner theater. 
 Riverhead is also home to East End Arts, which offers juried art exhibits and poetry shows, events such as Winterfest Jazz on the Vine and classes, workshops and mentorships in the arts. Riverhead's Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, standing since 1881, entertains, too. 
 MONTAUK $300,000 
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 This two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op in the Montauk Soundview is about to have a face-lift: Listing agent Lillian Elsis of Douglas Elliman Real Estate says the building's exterior is scheduled to undergo renovation. The lowest-priced home in the Hamptons is a mobile home in Hampton Bays listed for $50,000. At the high end, there's a six-bedroom waterfront home listed for $12.5 million in Sag Harbor. 
 HUNTINGTON 
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 "If you're buying a home and looking for cultural life, Huntington is definitely the first place to look," says Hofstra's Peter Goodman. Music lovers rejoiced when the old vaudeville theater that housed Huntington's former Inter-Media Arts Center was reborn in September 2011 as the Paramount, an urban-style concert hall boasting a diverse list of well-known performers. For instance, this month's lineup includes the Psychedelic Furs, Peter Frampton and Courtney Love. 
 Also in Huntington is the Heckscher Museum of Art (pictured), which offers exhibits and art education. The current show, "Car Culture: Art and the Automobile," is an exhibition of car-related works by photographers, painters and sculptors. 
 And Huntington is also home to several art galleries. Goodman highlights b.j. spoke gallery, which is a cooperative gallery owned and run by 21 member artists. It is the result of the 1990 merger of two long-standing cooperative galleries. "The benefit for the public is there is a constant stream of new work coming in. They have a fairly eclectic group," says Goodman. 
 And don't forget the Cinema Arts Centre, which screens classic, international and art films in the venue's three theaters, as well as classes, discussion groups, talks and special appearances. 
 HUNTINGTON $286,200 
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 This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage dates back to the 1920s. It's listed with Kristi Munder of Signature Premier Properties. Prices in Huntington range from $199,000 for a five-bedroom high-ranch -- that's a short sale -- to $3.295 million for a six-bedroom Tudor. 
 NASSAU NORTH SHORE 
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 For home buyers who love theater and music, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts (pictured) at the LIU Post campus is a huge draw, says Daniel Gale's Christine Petersen. "They have award-winning shows straight from Broadway or the New York City Ballet," she says. Scheduled performances this year include artists such as Lyle Lovett and the New York Philharmonic. 
 Petersen says relocation clients also are attracted to the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor. "People relocating to Long Island often want to know . . . that there are cultural benefits in whatever town they choose to live in." The main museum building is a 19th century Georgian mansion on the former Frick Estate. Summer is a great time to stroll the grounds and visit the museum's outdoor sculpture park, which features about 40 works by artists such as Tom Otterness, Richard Serra, Mark di Suvero, Manolo Valdés, Allen Bertoldi and Fernando Botero. 
 If you want a community that offers proximity to these venues and an artsy vibe, you might consider Roslyn, Glen Cove, Sea Cliff or Port Washington, Petersen says. "Sea Cliff and Port Washington, which are close to each other, have excellent amateur theatrics, amateur dance. There's a strong tradition of town-based arts and culture in Sea Cliff and Port Washington. People tend to get very involved in those communities in the arts there." 
 Port Washington's 425-seat Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street offers an entertaining mix, from folk music to children's theater to comedy. This month's lineup includes a performance by Broadway actress Megan Hilty, who plays Ivy in the NBC series "Smash." 
 GLEN COVE $395,000 
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 This three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom town house features a wood deck off the kitchen. It's listed with Damian Ross of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty. Prices in Glen Cove range from $105,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $4.138 million for a five-bedroom waterfront villa. 
 SUFFOLK NORTH SHORE 
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 The Three Village-Port Jeff area boasts a diverse mix of arts offerings. The summer concert series at Port Jefferson's Theatre Three has a little bit of everything, from "A Tribute to Johnny Cash" to The Amazing Kreskin. "Les Misérables" opens in September. For a more casual experience, each spring the village holds its annual Art Walk and Pet Adoption Awareness Weekend during which visitors can stroll, see the works of local artists on display -- and possibly adopt an animal. 
 Stony Brook University's Staller Center (pictured) is home to the Stony Brook Film Festival, an annual summer event featuring new, independent shorts and features. This year's festival runs from July 18 to 27. At other times, you can see everything from concerts to circus acts to comedians. 
 Don't overlook Stony Brook Village's Long Island Museum of Art, History &amp; Carriages, says Hofstra's Peter Goodman. "They have one of the world's greatest collections of carriages and a permanent display, but they also . . . have rotating shows." The museum exhibits Long Island pieces from its collection of art and artifacts from the late 1700s to today, including an extensive collection of works by 19th century Setauket artist William Sidney Mount. 
 Setauket offers artist exhibitions. The nonprofit Gallery North displays the works of local contemporary painters, photographers and sculptors. The Setauket Neighborhood House, a historic house and former inn, periodically showcases musicians and artists. 
 PORT JEFFERSON $300,000 
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 This two-bedroom town house in the Highlands condo community has 11 / 2- bathrooms and access to amenities such as a pool and tennis courts. It's listed with Laura Panetta and Melanie Karakatsanis of Signature Premier Properties. Prices in Port Jefferson range from $115,900 for a one-bedroom cottage in the Comsewogue school district to $1.295 million for a waterfront contemporary. 
 SUFFOLK SOUTH SHORE 
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 East Islip has the double appeal of live theater and an art museum. Those who love stage performances can visit BroadHollow Theatre Company's BayWay Arts Center, which offers dramas, musicals, comedies and more. "Monty Python's Spamalot" is playing June 22 through July 7. And the Islip Art Museum (pictured) presents five exhibitions a year in the galleries of East Islip's Brookwood Hall Mansion, featuring contemporary works by international, national and emerging local artists. 
 The YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in nearby Bay Shore offers a main stage concert experience with shows such as this month's "Drum Wars: The Music of Carmine and Vinnie Appice." 
 If you prefer not to be bound by ticketed seats, you often can find live music with your dinner and drinks at local venues such as Fatfish Wine Bar and Bistro and Molly Malone's Pub and Restaurant. 
 A short drive away, you can find a mini-Huntington experience in up-and-comer Patchogue. At the 1,166-seat, nonprofit Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, you'll find a mix of music, theater and comedy; this month's schedule includes the Mickey B's Golden Oldies Summer Spectacular. Patchogue's Plaza Cinema &amp; Media Arts Center offers film screenings, classes and events such as an all-female comedy night. 
 You also can catch bands performing at local nightclubs such as The Emporium and the BrickHouse Brewery. 
 EAST ISLIP $299,000 
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 This four-bedroom, two-bathroom Colonial is on a 50-by-150-foot lot in the East Islip school district. It's listed with Laura Prince Vomvos of Meg Smith &amp; Associates. Prices in East Islip range from $91,000 for a one-bedroom co-op to $4.5 million for a seven-bedroom home on 3.31 acres.

LSMAIN14.WEB

LI communities that are rich in the arts

Parrish -crop

It would be easy for <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>'s social scene to inherit an inferiority complex, as it's juxtaposed to one of the world's most famous cities for nightlife, culture and vibrancy. However, from the <a href="/topics/Queens%2C_NY">Queens</a> border to <a href="/topics/Montauk%2C_NY">Montauk</a> there is a growing number of communities of young professionals who've migrated and taken along the commodities of living in <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a>. 
<a href="/topics/The_Hamptons%2C_NY">The Hamptons</a>, <a href="/topics/Long_Beach%2C_NY">Long Beach</a> and <a href="/topics/Huntington%2C_NY">Huntington</a> have long been primary locales in the thick of the proverbial social pipeline, but it doesn't stop there, says Sandi Lefkowitz sales manager-associate broker of Daniel Gale <a href="/topics/Sotheby%27s">Sotheby's</a> International Reality in Old Brookville,<a href="/topics/Glen_Head%2C_NY">Glen Head</a> and <a href="/topics/Sea_Cliff%2C_NY">Sea Cliff</a>. 
<a href="/topics/Uniondale%2C_NY">Uniondale</a>, <a href="/topics/Freeport%2C_NY">Freeport</a> and <a href="/topics/Rockville_Centre%2C_NY">Rockville Centre</a> are examples of some of the areas that increasingly have become younger - and that's translated into improved nightlife. Heading east, <a href="/topics/Northport%2C_NY">Northport</a> and <a href="/topics/Port_Jefferson%2C_NY">Port Jefferson</a> have much to offer as well. 
Nicole Brewer, editor of Hamptons .com, says the community of year-rounders in the Hamptons is steadily growing. While the area is known for its summer scene, the winter has its advantages. 
"It's not just nightclubs you'll find. The rest of the year, you can go out on Tuesday nights for tapas," she says. "It's not as social, but it's a lot of fun. It's not packed and crowded." 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Great Nightlife

Honu Kitchen & Cocktails

xliCOVdlp, Honu, bar scene/lt

For some, dogs are the new kids. So it's no surprise that prospective home buyers value the needs of their beloved dogs, too. "Anytime a client says they have a dog, I know they'll want a nice size yard, a big fence, and they always ask where the nearest park is located," says Lisa DeTurris, an agent for Prudential <a href="/topics/Douglas_Elliman">Douglas Elliman</a> in <a href="/topics/Merrick%2C_NY">Merrick</a> and owner of Gabby, a bichon frise. 
In <a href="/topics/Huntington%2C_NY">Huntington</a>, it's all about getting your dog out of the yard for some tail-wagging fun and exercise. The town offers dog parks that allow pets to frolic with the four-legged set in grassy spaces designed just for them. "It's a great town all around. It's very dog-friendly in the streets, and neighbors are courteous, too," says Rick Caran, a resident for 38 years who performs tricks at events with his dog, Jilli, a Yorkshire terrier. 
There's a dog park for residents with permits in East <a href="/topics/Northport%2C_NY">Northport</a>. But <a href="/topics/Northport%2C_NY">Northport</a> is also a favorite location among dog lovers. "Northport is a great dog-friendly place to walk your dog. The nicest thing about the village is that the park at the foot of town on the harbor allows dogs on leash," says Ginny Munger Kahn, president of the<a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> Dog Owners Group and resident of <a href="/topics/Huntington%2C_NY">Huntington</a>. 
<a href="/topics/Bay_Shore%2C_NY">Bay Shore</a> has a well-equipped, indoor dog agility facility at Doggie U K9 Academy and dog-friendly walking trails at Gardiner County Park.

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Best places to live on LI: If you have dogs

0KOC2G9C.JPG

Where are young families moving on Long Island? 
The right neighborhood has to have good schools, but affordable taxes. It has to have the right balance of community fare, including playgrounds, soccer or Little League and religious institutions. Transportation is important, so that mom or dad can get to jobs quickly without sacrificing too much time away. And while downtown areas are nice, they're not necessities to those who like the privacy of single-family-home living. 
Getting to the heart of where families are moving and why depends on many factors - economic, occupational, racial and religious - but the following are some of the hot spots being cited for children up to age 4. 
Massapequa - surrounded by a beach, nature preserve and mall - has lots of extracurricular opportunities for kids. "We like the beach, even though we're probably the fairest family in the land," says Mary Hennelly, 46, mother of four. "We're big fans of Florence Beach - we can walk to it from our house." 
Huntington Station had the highest population of kids up to age 4 in 2007, according to Claritas. "One of the reasons we moved here 12 years ago was the diversity," says Liza Burby, editor of Newsday's Parents &amp; Children magazine. "Huntington Station is close to both the Northern State and the LIE, so commuting from here is easy. And though house prices have gone up steadily since we bought our home ... the community is still one of the most affordable." 
Affordability is the buzzword for up-and-coming Patchogue. "The taxes are pretty low, and the prices are affordable compared to the rest of Long Island," says Ed Shine, licensed sales agent for Prudential <a href="/topics/Douglas_Elliman">Douglas Elliman</a> Real Estate in Medford. 
With a "good, diverse school system and a terrific superintendent," Bay Shore is by the shore and on a main <a href="/topics/LIRR">LIRR</a> line, says Lawrence Levy, executive director of <a href="/topics/Hofstra_University">Hofstra University</a>'s National Center for Suburban Studies and a former Newsday columnist.

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Best places to live on LI: If you have young kids

Playground

Historical homes can be found all over <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>, but there is a handful of towns where large pockets have been gracefully preserved. 
"<a href="/topics/Port_Jefferson%2C_NY">Port Jefferson</a> is really a gem," says Wally Broege, director of the <a href="/topics/Suffolk_County%2C_NY">Suffolk</a> County Historical Society. Many streets are lined with late- 1800s Victorians loaded with exterior charm, such as oversized porches and gingerbread woodwork. 
<a href="/topics/Riverhead%2C_NY">Riverhead</a> was established in 1792 and remained the center of the Island's business industry through the 1800s. Even though the population growth ultimately shifted west, historical office buildings still stand downtown and along streets like Griffing Avenue, Broege says. Several Victorians, Colonials and other old homes built then remain as well. 
Some 75 percent of the houses in <a href="/topics/Sea_Cliff%2C_NY">Sea Cliff</a> are more than 100 years old, says Terri Sciubba of Sherlock Homes Realty Corp. In its early days, <a href="/topics/Sea_Cliff%2C_NY">Sea Cliff</a> was a summer community for city dwellers. Today, quiet residential streets are lined with stately Colonials and Victorians, several listed in the <a href="/topics/National_Register_of_Historic_Places">National Register of Historic Places</a>. The community's character has been kept intact largely by active village planning and architectural review boards, Sciubba says. 
Also try: Northport, Bellport, Roslyn Heights, Southold, East Hampton. &nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Historical homes

EXLI

It is tough to define the best green places on the Island because those that follow sustainable principles - from solar power to foot power - are sprinkled throughout neighborhoods from working-class to wealthy. But if you look through the lens of sustainable principles - such as a centralized downtown, open-space preservation, clean-energy use and access to public transportation - several communities stand out. 
<a href="/topics/East_Hampton%2C_NY">East Hampton</a>'s fashionable downtown boutiques are easily accessible by bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and walkways; at 40 homes, it tops the <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Power_Authority">Long Island Power Authority</a>'s Solar Pioneer Program for most homes using solar power. 
One can stroll through <a href="/topics/Greenport%2C_NY">Greenport</a>'s rejuvenated downtown - held up as a jewel of sustainable planning - to restaurants, shops, an ice rink and a carousel. In <a href="/topics/Nassau_County%2C_NY">Nassau</a>, <a href="/topics/Oyster_Bay%2C_NY">Oyster Bay</a>'s access to the <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Rail_Road">Long Island Rail Road</a>, downtown shopping district and preserved spaces downtown make it one of the greener communities around. Up-and-coming initiatives in <a href="/topics/Levittown%2C_NY">Levittown</a> are designed to encourage homeowners to try sustainable design in a small way like choosing <a href="/topics/Environmental_Protection_Agency">EPA</a> Energy Star-qualified light bulbs or in a big way by switching to clean energy like biofuels. 
<a href="/topics/Shoreham%2C_NY">Shoreham</a>, which already has the largest number of <a href="/topics/Environmental_Protection_Agency">EPA</a> Energy Star-labeled homes, at 127, has a major forward-thinking green plan on the drawing board. Dubbed the Tallgrass project, the mixed-use planned development district, or PDD, will include concentrated residential units, some commercial space, ballfields, a village green and a farmers' market. 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Living green

Solar panels

While waterfront living on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> can easily set you back several million dollars, there are some select communities that offer less pricey options. Usually, these are in recently revitalized areas that have undergone a transformation. 
Here are four communities where you can find waterfront homes for less than $510,000, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service of <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> Inc. 
With its Nautical Mile that offers a plethora of seafood restaurants, specialty shops, charter fishing and serene views - all in walking distance of one another - <a href="/topics/Freeport%2C_NY">Freeport</a> on the South Shore sits on several canals and inlets with waterfront homes at a median price of $535,000, according to Multiple Listing. The area is also ethnically diverse, has a variety of charter boat options and is a 44-minute commute to <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a>. 
The Village of <a href="/topics/East_Rockaway%2C_NY">East Rockaway</a> on <a href="/topics/Hewlett%2C_NY">Hewlett</a> Bay provides quiet, tree-lined streets with older homes of charm and character. Waterfront houses have a median sales price of $449,000. <a href="/topics/East_Rockaway%2C_NY">East Rockaway</a> offers a commute to <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a> as short as 38 minutes (depending upon the train) and is located near the Five Towns (<a href="/topics/Inwood%2C_NY">Inwood</a>, <a href="/topics/Cedarhurst%2C_NY">Cedarhurst</a>, <a href="/topics/Hewlett%2C_NY">Hewlett</a>, <a href="/topics/Woodmere%2C_NY">Woodmere</a> and <a href="/topics/Lawrence%2C_NY">Lawrence</a>). 
Largely due to the work of Mayor Paul Pontieri Jr., the Village of <a href="/topics/Patchogue%2C_NY">Patchogue</a> has seen a revitalization during the past few years. The downtown shopping district has a mix of stores and restaurants. Sitting by the <a href="/topics/Great_South_Bay%2C_NY">Great South Bay</a>, many waterfront homes are selling for about $499,000. The <a href="/topics/Patchogue%2C_NY">Patchogue</a> River accommodates numerous yachts and small vessels, and ferry service is provided to <a href="/topics/Watch_Hill%2C_NY">Watch Hill</a> and <a href="/topics/Davis_Park%2C_NY">Davis Park</a> on <a href="/topics/Fire_Island%2C_NY">Fire Island</a>. 
Another progressive mayor, Peter Imbert of<a href="/topics/Amityville%2C_NY"> </a><a href="/topics/Amityville%2C_NY">Amityville</a>, has helped turn his village into a vibrant community with new parks, shops and renovated Victorians. The area now offers a small-town feel, and home prices have gone up. But you can still find waterfront homes on the <a href="/topics/Great_South_Bay%2C_NY">Great South Bay</a> for a median price tag of $499,495. 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Affordable waterfront property

hoCOVas_is

When picking the best places for living near the water, you have to consider two factors: beaches and good cruising and fishing for boaters. The locations that combine both tend to be pricey, such as East Hampton, which has great ocean beaches, including one ranked in the top 10 by national beach expert Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, of <a href="/topics/Florida_International_University">Florida International University</a>. There are also great places to keep a boat or visit in one, such as Three Mile Harbor. 
Bayville is a favorite - I live there - because you can have a house on Long Island Sound if you can afford it and enjoy a typical North Shore rocky beach even if you can't, because the village and Oyster Bay Town both have public beaches on the Sound. 
Another great spot for living by the water is Greenport, which has homes and condos near the harbor and boasts excellent marinas, protected waters with great scenery and many nearby maritime destinations for boaters. 
Long Beach has lots of condos and other housing with views of the Atlantic and Reynolds Channel, a great sandy ocean beach for swimming and <a href="/topics/Surfing">surfing</a> and a choice of protected boating and fishing in the channel or a quick trip out into the ocean. 
The Huntington-Northport area is another magnet for water lovers. There are numerous town and village beaches - the rocky North Shore type again - and great places for boating and mooring a boat. &nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Near water

liFLOT

When Dave and Tara Gibbs decided to move from <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a> to <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> about 3 1/2 years ago, Dave, who is a trader in the city, needed to consider his commute. 
He viewed a <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Rail_Road">Long Island Rail Road</a> map and noticed the "red line" that didn't stop at <a href="/topics/Jamaica%2C_NY">Jamaica</a>. He was looking at the <a href="/topics/Port_Washington%2C_NY">Port Washington</a> line. 
<a href="/topics/Port_Washington%2C_NY">Port Washington</a>, on the North Shore, is the place the Gibbs decided to call home. 
"I've been ecstatic about this town ever since," Dave says. 
In fact, the couple recently traded up in the same community. In addition to his swift commute - 40 minutes or less - he says he enjoys the area's ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. 
Lorraine Schaum, who works for an entertainment company in <a href="/topics/Times_Square%2C_NY">Times Square</a>, recently moved from lower <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a> to <a href="/topics/Manhasset%2C_NY">Manhasset</a>. "I wanted the flexibility of being able to go out and not have such a long commute home," she says, noting the schedule is terrific. 
Farther east, commuters often seek stations with frequent schedules. Among them is <a href="/topics/Hicksville%2C_NY">Hicksville</a>, where the <a href="/topics/Port_Jefferson%2C_NY">Port Jefferson</a> and <a href="/topics/Ronkonkoma%2C_NY">Ronkonkoma</a> branches meet. This mid-Island community offers a multitude of conveniences - and an easy walk to and from the station when the weather is nice. 
On the South Shore, Linda Ciavarelli, of Weichert Realtors Dutch Door in <a href="/topics/West_Sayville%2C_NY">West Sayville</a>, says many buyers are attracted to <a href="/topics/Sayville%2C_NY">Sayville</a>, where most homes are less than a mile from the train station.

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Best places to live on LI: Easy train commute

Hicksville train station

We know, we know ... choosing the best place to raise kids on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> is like choosing the favorite among your own children. Each area has its own special characteristics. However, what follows is a list of some of the standout neighborhoods in terms of schools, libraries and outdoor recreation: 
Best School Districts 
Ranking <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>'s best public schools is a tricky business. Anyone with online access can check school report cards at the state Education Department Web site. But how really to compare? 
A few select districts always seem to pop up when regional or national finalists are announced in the <a href="/topics/Intel">Intel</a> science competition: Schreiber High School in <a href="/topics/Port_Washington%2C_NY">Port Washington</a>; Ward <a href="/topics/Melville%2C_NY">Melville</a> in <a href="/topics/East_Setauket%2C_NY">East Setauket</a> and the Wheatley School, run by the <a href="/topics/East_Williston%2C_NY">East Williston</a> district. 
Two years ago, nine local high schools appeared in <a href="/topics/Newsweek">Newsweek</a>'s magazine's list of the nation's top 100 high schools. <a href="/topics/Jericho%2C_NY">Jericho</a> topped the rankings, followed by <a href="/topics/Cold_Spring_Harbor%2C_NY">Cold Spring Harbor</a> (16th); <a href="/topics/Great_Neck%2C_NY">Great Neck</a> South (22nd); <a href="/topics/Manhasset%2C_NY">Manhasset</a> (30th); Great Neck North (43rd); South Side (45th) in <a href="/topics/Rockville_Centre%2C_NY">Rockville Centre</a>; <a href="/topics/Port_Jefferson%2C_NY">Port Jefferson</a>'s Earl L. Vandermeulen (64th); <a href="/topics/Miller_Place%2C_NY">Miller Place</a> (73rd), and the Wheatley School (85th). 
<a href="/topics/Newsweek">Newsweek</a>'s methodology, however, was not universally embraced. The magazine simply counted the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken - regardless of the scores posted by the students - then divided the sum by the number of graduating seniors. 
Last year, Newsday conducted a survey based on Advanced Placement performance. It showed the numbers of students from area high schools who received a "3" or better on Advanced Placement exams - the standard students must attain to receive credit from most colleges. (Six of the Island's 124 district declined to participate.) On average, the survey found that 28 percent of Long Island's seniors in 2005 scored at least a "3" on at least one AP exam. 
The top scoring public high schools in each county, and the percentage of seniors who scored a 3 or better: 
NASSAU: 1. Jericho (67.0); 2. Great Neck South (66.7); 3. Miller-Great Neck North (61.5); 4. Manhasset (60.8); 5. Roslyn (60.8); 6. The Wheatley School (54.0); 7. Syosset (50.2); 8. Garden City (50.0); 9. John F. Kennedy (Bellmore-Merrick schools; 49.0); 10. North Shore (47.2) 
SUFFOLK: 1. Cold Spring Harbor (73.5); 2. Half Hollow Hills West, Dix Hills (51.3); 3. Earl L. Vandermeulen, Port Jefferson schools (48.9); 4. Half Hollows Hills East (42.3); 5. Mattituck (46.4); 6. Harborfields (44.4); 7. Northport (41.8); 8. John H. Glenn (Elwood; 38.0); 9. Smithtown West (37); 10. Three Village (36.1). 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: School districts

Melville Teacher

The John Maccarone Memorial Stadium in <a href="/topics/Glen_Cove%2C_NY">Glen Cove</a> now has lights and is the happy scene of baseball night games, making it a state-of-the-art facility for all city recreational sports. 
<a href="/topics/Riverhead%2C_NY">Riverhead</a> may be known for the <a href="/topics/Atlantis_Marine_World">Atlantis Marine World</a> Aquarium and Splish Splash, but also more than half of all agricultural property on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> lies within the town's jurisdiction, offering families ample opportunities to enjoy the land and the fruits and vegetables it bears. 
<a href="/topics/Seaford%2C_NY">Seaford</a>'s Cedar Creek Park has some unusual amenities, including a playground, featuring a roller rink that's open year-round, an aerodome field designed for radio-controlled model airplane hobbyists, a model-car racetrack and sled hills. 
The gateway to Jones Beach, <a href="/topics/Wantagh%2C_NY">Wantagh</a> offers an array of outdoor fun for families at its wide assortment of beaches, nature parks and museums, including Forest City Community Park, Wantagh Park and the Twin Lake Preserve. 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live: Recreation

Splish Splash

In Huntington, weekend crowds spill out of such spots as Blue Honu and the new Cafe <a href="/topics/Buenos_Aires">Buenos Aires</a>. How many communities can support two hibachi restaurants (Tomo Japanese Steak House and Samurai Steak House) under the same ownership just a block apart? 
Consider, also, Rockville Centre, with at least 30 restaurants downtown. The scene is fluid and top-of-trend - witness the opening last fall of <a href="/topics/George_Martin">George Martin</a>'s Grillfire and Gabrielle's Brasserie &amp; Wine Bar. 
In Hicksville you'll find Indian, Afghan, Pakistani, Indian-Chinese, Italian and Colombian food spots, to name a few. "There must be 20 different nationalities or styles of cooking in the area," says real estate broker Charlie <a href="/topics/Montana">Montana</a> Jr. of <a href="/topics/Montana">Montana</a> Associates Inc. in Hicksville. 
The eating scene is burgeoning in recently renovated Patchogue. "People used to pass by downtown Patchogue," says John Peragine, co-owner of the new PeraBell Food Bar. Now, he says, they usually stop and have something to eat. 
Another area making its way onto the radar screen is the North Fork, with Riverhead its gateway town. "Over the past four years we've seen higher-end restaurants catering to the new luxury audience on the North Fork," says Carlo D. Argila, a principal with the Three Pillars Group real estate development firm based in Southhampton. This year, high-profile chef Michael Meehan is the driving force behind the new Michaels' at the Boardwalk in downtown Riverhead. 
&nbsp;

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Best places to live on LI: Great food

xliCOVsingles

Best places to live on LI

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