Close to Hamptons and beaches, Shirley sees surge in homebuying
Shirley's oceanfront Smith Point County Park is on the east end of Fire Island, reachable by William Floyd Parkway. Credit: Morgan Campbell
First-time buyers today are drawn to the shoreline, affordable home prices and the location off the Long Island Expressway, according to Gina Walter, a resident and native.“The area has become popular since COVID for people in the city because it’s affordable, and when you go by exits they don’t think Exit 68 is far,” said Walter, a real estate agent with Century 21 Cor-Ace Realty in Moriches. “We have easy access to Sunrise Highway and the LIE, and because we’re only 20 minutes out of the Hamptons, we’ve become a huge Airbnb town because we're very close to the beach.”
Housing stock in Shirley is a mix of ranches, Colonials and Capes typically ranging from $270,000 for ranches to $800,000 for waterfront homes. “People who bought here in the beginning stayed here, and now I’m selling homes to my friends and their children,” Walter said.
Houses along Pinelawn Avenue. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Shirley is known for the Smith Point Bridge, which crosses to Fire Island, allowing easy access to the Atlantic Ocean without taking a ferry. A main attraction is Smith Point County Park, a beachfront park facing the ocean on the east end of Fire Island. “People come from all over to go to Smith Point Beach every summer,” said Beth Wahl, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley.
The hamlet is “big beaching and boating community” with several marinas — “a big draw to our community,” Walter said.
Also in Shirley is Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, which has six miles of trails through Pine Barrens forests and along the Carmans River.
Paddleboarders explore Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, which also has six miles of birding and hiking trails. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Montauk Highway is the main business corridor where residents go to shop and dine.
Wahl said that the Forge River Watershed Sewer Project in Mastic and Shirley, a $224 million wastewater treatment plant that will connect homes and businesses to sewers, will help restaurants that have limited seating.
Tend Coffee opened on Montauk Highway in 2013. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Other projects on tap include a renovation of the Shirley branch of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, and a $73 million project to replace the Smith Point Bridge set to begin in 2024.
Priced at $699,000, this Waters Edge town house has water views from every room. Credit: Amy Limjoco
Priced at $525,000 this high ranch on Revilo Avenue has been fully renovated. Credit: Stephen Abruzzo
Priced at $499,900, this expanded ranch on Laurel Lane features an inground pool with a waterfall. Credit: Lifestyle Films
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