As growth heats up downtown, Ronkonkoma cools off at the lake

Another draw to the area is Lake Ronkonkoma, which boasts recreation and senior centers, tennis courts, new pickleball courts and a playground. “And, then of course: the lake and the beach. It’s really a lovely facility,” says Carpenter.

Long Island MacArthur Airport, also in Ronkonkoma, just got its fourth carrier in February, but come September, American Airlines will pull its service there, leaving Southwest, Frontier and the new Breeze Airways.

Adjacent to MacArthur is Islip’s Foreign Trade Zone, an industrial park with 35 businesses and plans to add three new buildings.

The Ronkonoma Hub, a transit-oriented community aiming to create a thriving downtown near the Long Island Rail Road station in the hamlets of Ronkonkoma and Lake Ronkonkoma, broke ground last year with Alston Station Square, a 53-acre development that will eventually have a total of 1,450 new apartments, 360,000 square feet of office space and 195,000 square feet of retail. Apartment rentals there range from $2,100 for a studio to $4,100 for a three-bedroom, a company spokesman said.

The hamlet’s name is derived from Raconkamuck, which means “boundary fishing lake” in Algonquin. Long Island’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Ronkonkoma was once the boundary separating four Native American communities.

Purported to have healing powers, the lake became a magnet for development, and a resort community blossomed there in the late 19th century, which included William K. Vanderbilt II’s Petit Trianon Hotel, named for Marie Antoinette’s Versailles palace. From 1908 to 1910, Vanderbilt’s Motor Parkway was the site of 48-mile auto races, which terminated at the hotel.

“Ronkonkoma residents enjoy the sense of a local family community, accessibility to the LIRR, L.I.E. and Long Island local shopping, and, of course, the lake,” says Corinne Michalowski of Home Possible Realty.

The hamlet has mostly ranches, expanded Capes and Colonials, with prices typically starting around $350,000 for a one-bedroom ranch and going up to $600,000 and higher for an updated four-bedroom Colonial.

This 3,000-square-foot four-bedroom, 2½-bath Colonial has a front porch, hardwood floors, updated eat-in-kitchen with bay window, newer gas boiler, solar panels, and a four-season sunroom. The 0.35-acre fenced-in property has a large, multilevel deck, patio and above-ground pool. Taxes are $11,667. Anthony Autera, Signature Premier Properties, 631-385-8400. 

Set on 0.43 acre, this 1,882-square-foot expanded ranch features four bedrooms, 2½ baths, hardwood floors, a large eat-in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, and a second family room with two skylights. The fenced-in property has an attached two-car garage and flat backyard with brick patio. Taxes are $9,839; a sale is pending. Tanya Brandes Plackis, Exit Realty Achieve, 631-543-2009.

Recent updates to this approximately 1,900-square-foot expanded Cape include a renovated family room with fireplace, new windows, siding, roof, heating, and Trex decking in front and backyard. The house is on a fenced-in 0.17 acre and has four bedrooms, 1½ baths, hardwood floors, and kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Taxes are $7,173; a sale is pending. Corinne Michalowski, Home Possible Realty, 516-874-6565.

Smith Rd.

Iroquois St.

Duncan Ave.