Best places to live on Long Island: Readers’ picks

Where are the best places to live on Long Island?

You told us.

Newsday’s annual Best Places to Live series went interactive this year. We invited you to use our new online features to vote for your favorite Long Island communities in four categories: waterfront living, raising a family, finding historic homes and going green. You gave us 7,364 opinions (and counting).

We also asked you what other communities and categories you’d like to see featured. Here’s what you told us, along with a sampling of what you can get in your favorite communities for Long Island’s median home price (or as close to it as possible): $390,000 for October, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

Reader pick: Kings Park

Nominated for Great parks

Miles Borden, 88, a fourth-generation resident, nominated Kings Park for its “hundreds of acres of woodland, miles of beaches and hiking trails, low-traffic secondary roads, and a great school district.”

The 522-acre Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park features hiking trails with views of the river and a canoe and kayak launch. A portion of the park is designated as a state bird conservation area.

“Where we live, we back up against the upland region of Sunken Meadow,” says Borden, who is a longtime member of the Kings Park Fire Department and the author of five local history books. Sunken Meadow State Park features woods, nature trails, bridle paths and three miles of beachfront on the Long Island Sound.

Home prices in Kings Park range from $174,999 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $779,000 for a six-bedroom, four-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$379,900 in Kings Park

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape is listed with Bridget Cook of Signature Premier Properties (631-334-2822).

Reader pick:Garden City

Nominated for Something for everyone

Reader Vincent Feroce, 16, writes, “Many of us from Franklin Square are drawn to Garden City, because it has many great restaurants, shops and parks so close to home for us.” Feroce lived in Franklin Square for 14 years and went to school in Garden City for a decade.

“My personal favorite thing to do in Garden City is visit Seventh Street, a great part of Garden City that is probably one of the best downtown areas on all of Long Island,” says Feroce, who moved to Westchester two years ago with his family. “I also love to visit the newly renovated Roosevelt Field mall to catch up with friends and get some shopping done.”

Feroce’s family relocated to South Salem to be closer to his father’s job. “I will definitely move back into the area when I’m older,” says Feroce, who adds that he misses spending time in Garden City. “Even though I have adjusted into my new area, I still remember and come back to visit.”

Home prices in Garden City range from $200,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $5.999 million for a Colonial with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and three half bathrooms, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$320,000 in Garden City

A two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op is listed with Stephen Baymack and Laura Baymack of The Donnelly Group — A Ferrucci Venture; 516-216-0244 and 516-537-3050, respectively.

Reader pick: North Bellmore

Nominated for Great schools

Bakery owner Thomas Shipley, 60, nominated North Bellmore for its “excellent schools.”

Students in North Bellmore attend elementary school in the North Bellmore Union Free school district and high school in the Bellmore-Merrick district. Last year, the Bellmore-Merrick school district far outperformed statewide rates both for graduation (93 percent, compared to 76.4 for the state) and college readiness (66 percent of graduates in the district earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation, compared to just 31 percent statewide).

Shipley, a 19-year resident who owns The Cake Gallery in North Bellmore, says his three daughters attended Saw Mill Road School, Grand Avenue Middle School and Mepham High School. He says his family experienced “13 great years at Saw Mill Road School, with many wonderful memories.” He adds, “I was always the class dad who brought all of the cupcakes and cakes and did classroom games and demonstrations.”

Home prices in North Bellmore range from $299,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape to $829,000 for a four-bedroom, 2 ½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$379,000 in North Bellmore

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch in the North Bellmore school district is listed with Pam Miller of Century 21 Prevete Hirsch (516-729-0419).

Reader pick: Floral Park

Nominated for Family and community life

Floral Park reader Kathy Lally, 66, a secretary, wrote in to say, “Our village and its residents work collectively to insure we have the best environment in which to raise a family . . . a safe neighborhood, with wonderful amenities and many opportunities to participate in civic, cultural, educational, recreational, religious and community service events throughout the year.”

Lally says the community comes together each year to volunteer at events such as the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Head-Shaving childhood cancer fundraiser, Liz’s Day breast cancer awareness event and the Hance Family Foundation 5k and Family Fun Day, which helps fund educational programs. “We support each other through the good times and the tough times,” says Lally, a grandmother of 14, eight of whom live in Floral Park.

Home prices in Floral Park range from $179,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $1.399 million for a five-bedroom, 4½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$435,000 in Floral Park

A three-bedroom, one-bathroom Colonial is listed with Tara Egan of Abbott Realty (516-306-7060).

Reader pick: Dix Hills

Nominated for Great all-around lifestyle

Reader Len Sturm, a 61-year-old certified public accountant, nominated Dix Hills for its schools, friendly residents, convenient location and, especially, its residential beauty. Sturm, a former commuter, says, “I can remember particularly when I took the train home from the city every day. I got in my car, and when I turned off the highway it was like I was out in the country, almost. I disconnected from work and the hustle-bustle of the city.”

Sturm says that he and his wife, Mindy Sturm, former speech pathologist, originally moved to Dix Hills because they felt it was a great place to raise a family, but they have no plans to leave now that their kids are grown. “We thought about downsizing or going someplace else,” he says. “We evaluated that, and ultimately, when we thought about it, we love where we are. There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

Home prices in Dix Hills range from $329,000 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch to $4.5 million for a three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$419,000 in Dix Hills

A six-bedroom, four-bathroom Colonial is listed with Annette Mina of Douglas Elliman Real Estate (631-831-0163).

Reader pick: Blue Point

Nominated for Bay access and water views

Charles Funk, 73, nominated Blue Point for its easy access to the bay and Watch Hill, as well as its waterfront views. Locals enjoy the waterfront at Corey Beach and the Blue Point Marina. Across the bay, Watch Hill, Fire Island is accessible by private boat or the ferry in nearby Patchogue.

Funk, who lives in Mount Sinai and owns an insurance agency in Centereach, is a former boat owner who docked his boat in Blue Point. “I used to cross to Fire Island, to Watch Hill and Davis Park,” he says. “I particularly like Watch Hill for overnights, camping on the boat.” He also says he loves the views, particularly from the Harbour at Blue Point condo development. “The first thing that jumps into my mind is the beach area . . . the side where the boats are docked in Blue Point,” he says. “And looking across the bay to Fire Island is pretty.”

Home prices in Blue Point range from $150,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom cape to $1.5 million for a four-bedroom, 3-½-bathroom ranch, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$395,000 in Blue Point

A three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom home is listed with Linda Hickey of Hickey & Smith Realtors (516-982-5860).

Reader pick: Kings Park

Nominated for Great parks

Miles Borden, 88, a fourth-generation resident, nominated Kings Park for its “hundreds of acres of woodland, miles of beaches and hiking trails, low-traffic secondary roads, and a great school district.”

The 522-acre Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park features hiking trails with views of the river and a canoe and kayak launch. A portion of the park is designated as a state bird conservation area.

“Where we live, we back up against the upland region of Sunken Meadow,” says Borden, who is a longtime member of the Kings Park Fire Department and the author of five local history books. Sunken Meadow State Park features woods, nature trails, bridle paths and three miles of beachfront on the Long Island Sound.

Home prices in Kings Park range from $174,999 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $779,000 for a six-bedroom, four-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$379,900 in Kings Park

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape is listed with Bridget Cook of Signature Premier Properties (631-334-2822).

Reader pick: Garden City

Nominated for Something for everyone

Reader Vincent Feroce, 16, writes, “Many of us from Franklin Square are drawn to Garden City, because it has many great restaurants, shops and parks so close to home for us.” Feroce lived in Franklin Square for 14 years and went to school in Garden City for a decade.

“My personal favorite thing to do in Garden City is visit Seventh Street, a great part of Garden City that is probably one of the best downtown areas on all of Long Island,” says Feroce, who moved to Westchester two years ago with his family. “I also love to visit the newly renovated Roosevelt Field mall to catch up with friends and get some shopping done.”

Feroce’s family relocated to South Salem to be closer to his father’s job. “I will definitely move back into the area when I’m older,” says Feroce, who adds that he misses spending time in Garden City. “Even though I have adjusted into my new area, I still remember and come back to visit.”

Home prices in Garden City range from $200,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $5.999 million for a Colonial with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and three half bathrooms, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$320,000 in Garden City

A two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op is listed with Stephen Baymack and Laura Baymack of The Donnelly Group — A Ferrucci Venture; 516-216-0244 and 516-537-3050, respectively.

Reader pick: North Bellmore

Nominated for Great schools

Bakery owner Thomas Shipley, 60, nominated North Bellmore for its “excellent schools.”

Students in North Bellmore attend elementary school in the North Bellmore Union Free school district and high school in the Bellmore-Merrick district. Last year, the Bellmore-Merrick school district far outperformed statewide rates both for graduation (93 percent, compared to 76.4 for the state) and college readiness (66 percent of graduates in the district earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation, compared to just 31 percent statewide).

Shipley, a 19-year resident who owns The Cake Gallery in North Bellmore, says his three daughters attended Saw Mill Road School, Grand Avenue Middle School and Mepham High School. He says his family experienced “13 great years at Saw Mill Road School, with many wonderful memories.” He adds, “I was always the class dad who brought all of the cupcakes and cakes and did classroom games and demonstrations.”

Home prices in North Bellmore range from $299,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape to $829,000 for a four-bedroom, 2 ½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$379,000 in North Bellmore

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch in the North Bellmore school district is listed with Pam Miller of Century 21 Prevete Hirsch (516-729-0419).

Reader pick: Floral Park

Nominated for Family and community life

Floral Park reader Kathy Lally, 66, a secretary, wrote in to say, “Our village and its residents work collectively to insure we have the best environment in which to raise a family . . . a safe neighborhood, with wonderful amenities and many opportunities to participate in civic, cultural, educational, recreational, religious and community service events throughout the year.”

Lally says the community comes together each year to volunteer at events such as the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Head-Shaving childhood cancer fundraiser, Liz’s Day breast cancer awareness event and the Hance Family Foundation 5k and Family Fun Day, which helps fund educational programs. “We support each other through the good times and the tough times,” says Lally, a grandmother of 14, eight of whom live in Floral Park.

Home prices in Floral Park range from $179,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op to $1.399 million for a five-bedroom, 4½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$435,000 in Floral Park

A three-bedroom, one-bathroom Colonial is listed with Tara Egan of Abbott Realty (516-306-7060).

Reader pick: Dix Hills

Nominated for Great all-around lifestyle

Reader Len Sturm, a 61-year-old certified public accountant, nominated Dix Hills for its schools, friendly residents, convenient location and, especially, its residential beauty. Sturm, a former commuter, says, “I can remember particularly when I took the train home from the city every day. I got in my car, and when I turned off the highway it was like I was out in the country, almost. I disconnected from work and the hustle-bustle of the city.”

Sturm says that he and his wife, Mindy Sturm, former speech pathologist, originally moved to Dix Hills because they felt it was a great place to raise a family, but they have no plans to leave now that their kids are grown. “We thought about downsizing or going someplace else,” he says. “We evaluated that, and ultimately, when we thought about it, we love where we are. There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

Home prices in Dix Hills range from $329,000 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch to $4.5 million for a three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom Colonial, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$419,000 in Dix Hills

A six-bedroom, four-bathroom Colonial is listed with Annette Mina of Douglas Elliman Real Estate (631-831-0163).

Reader pick: Blue Point

Nominated for Bay access and water views

Charles Funk, 73, nominated Blue Point for its easy access to the bay and Watch Hill, as well as its waterfront views. Locals enjoy the waterfront at Corey Beach and the Blue Point Marina. Across the bay, Watch Hill, Fire Island is accessible by private boat or the ferry in nearby Patchogue.

Funk, who lives in Mt. Sinai and owns an insurance agency in Centereach, is a former boat owner who docked his boat in Blue Point. “I used to cross to Fire Island, to Watch Hill and Davis Park,” he says. “I particularly like Watch Hill for overnights, camping on the boat.” He also says he loves the views, particularly from the Harbour at Blue Point condo development. “The first thing that jumps into my mind is the beach area . . . the side where the boats are docked in Blue Point,” he says. “And looking across the bay to Fire Island is pretty.”

Home prices in Blue Point range from $150,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom cape to $1.5 million for a four-bedroom, 3-½-bathroom ranch, according to a search of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

$395,000 in Blue Point

A three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom home is listed with Linda Hickey of Hickey & Smith Realtors (516-982-5860).