Mineola's walkable downtown, busy train hub attracting homebuyers
Bars, restaurants and shops line the streets around the train station, where new apartment buildings have also popped up. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
“There’s a lot for a young and growing family to do,” said Orlando Frade, an agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, who grew up in Mineola. “The library has numerous programs, and there are parks that have music in the summer and sports courts. Plus, the downtown area has trendy shops and restaurants with outdoor dining and live music on the weekends.”
A visitor takes a December stroll in Mineola Memorial Park. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Mineola retains a “small-time village feeling,” thanks to an athletic association and community pool at Wilson Park “where kids can spend the whole summer,” said Patrick Diskin, owner of P J Diskin and Sons Realty, who has lived there for 38 years. He also cited a camp that charges nominally, a robust Chamber of Commerce and a convenient train ride to Manhattan from Long Island Rail Road station, one of the Island's largest.
Commuters at Mineola’s LIRR station. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
A new five-level garage on Harrison Avenue includes 551 parking spots for residents and other commuters who pay a daily fee in addition to two other commuter garages.
Mineola became a hub in the 1830s when the LIRR added a stop to the little village then known as Hempstead Branch, where farmers raised corn, potatoes, cattle, sheep and poultry. Later, the name was changed to Mineola, a Native American name meaning “pleasant village.” It earned nationwide fame in the early 1900s as daring young aviators made pioneer flights from the Mineola fields, staking Long Island's claim to "the cradle of aviation." In 1898, Mineola became the Nassau County seat and incorporated in 1906.
Shops along Mineola Boulevard. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
The area has mostly Colonials and Capes. There are no split levels and very few ranches, said Diskin, because most homes were built from the 1920s to 1950s, typically on small 50-by-100-foot lots. Prices range from $600,000 to $900,000.
Some two-family homes have sold for about $1.2 million. There are rental apartments in buildings that went up in the 1980s that have been converted to condos and co-ops within walking distance of the train, starting around $215,000.
An apartment building on Clinton Avenue. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Priced at $979,880, this Colonial on Musgnug Avenue is on a manicured corner lot. Credit: Bill Sim
Built in 1953, this 2,238-square-foot Colonial on a 0.14-acre corner lot has six bedrooms and three baths, a chef’s kitchen with a commercial Wolf range, an open-concept living room and dining room, and a finished basement with a walkout. It also has a new furnace and hot water tank, in-ground sprinklers and 200-amp electric with a generator hookup. Taxes are $11,302. Anthony LaBella, EXP Realty, 516-765-7090.
Priced at $869,000, this Colonial on Jerome Avenue was renovated in 2014. Credit: One Fine Day Photographers /Howard Fritz
Priced at $675,000, this Colonial on Westbury Avenue has a full, finished basement. Credit: Homedia Group / Steven Bababekov
Set on a 50-by-100-foot lot, this 1,713-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bath Colonial built in 1923 has an eat-in-kitchen with a dining area, formal dining room, living room and den, full finished basement with a walkout, and two-car garage. Taxes are $12,395. Orlando Frade and Lauren Magalhaes, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-455-9230.
Harrison Ave.
Fairfield Ave.
Jerome Ave.
