Southold attracting homebuyers to its North Fork beaches, wineries, restaurants
Einstein Square, on the site of the former Rothman's Deparment Store, commemorates Albert Einstein's 1939 visit to Southold. Credit: Randee Daddona
THE SCOOP Sandwiched between Long Island Sound to the north and Peconic Bay to the south, Southold offers beaches, restaurants, wineries and the Peconic Land Trust’s newly acquired Soundview Avenue Preserve, a half-acre of woodland that will help preserve water quality. And with buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, the hamlet’s downtown retains its small-town feel.
Founders Landing Park has a picnic, playground and bayfront beach. Credit: Randee Daddona
The Southold Town Board recently tweaked legislation to permit construction of affordable rental apartments in existing structures, and approved a 15-unit affordable rental development next to town hall, says Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell.
The board is also drafting a law that would prevent overly large mansions from going up. “The basic premise of the law is to right-size the limits to the parcel size itself,” Russell says.
Visitors sip in the garden at Croteaux Vineyards. Credit: Randee Daddona
Housing prices, which have risen significantly lately, have made the community out of reach for many, while at the same time, local marinas, restaurants and other businesses have seen a boost. The area is attracting many second homeowners, as well as retirees and those working remotely.
There is a large number of vintage Colonials and Victorians, with prices starting at $700,000 for a fixer-upper, going up to $3 million for a four-to five-bedroom waterfront house with sizable acreage.
A resident of a farmstead on Youngs Avenue. Credit: Randee Daddona
Southold’s popularity has created some headaches, including an increase in traffic, especially during pumpkin picking and other fall events. “It’s definitely at a crisis level, and the public’s frustration with it is at a fever pitch,” says Russell, noting that with only two roads going through the hamlet, it’s a very difficult issue to resolve.
Main Road is home to restaurants, antiques and other shops. Vineyards and farmstands are plentiful in the area, and there's also a fish market, an oyster company and Horton Point Lighthouse, which has commanding views of Great South Bay and a nautical museum.
One noted summer visitor was Albert Einstein, who made friends with the owner of Rothman's Department Store in 1939. Today, Einstein Square, a gathering spot, is on the site of the shop.
Shops along Main Road. Credit: Randee Daddona
While Southold attracts many visitors in the summer, “It’s also a fabulous year-round community,” says Barbara Poliwoda of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, a resident of the hamlet, adding that there are family-friendly activities throughout the year.
North Fork Roasting Co. is one of several eateries and shops on Main Road. Credit: Randee Daddona
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one condo on the market, listed for $599,000.
SALE PRICES Between July 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022, there were 123 home sales with a median sale price of $915,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $442,500 and the high was $8 million. During that period a year earlier there were 183 home sales with a median sale price of $835,000. The price range was $325,000 to $7 million.
OTHER STATS
Town Southold
Area 10.46 square miles
ZIP code 11971
Population 6,040
Median age 53.4
Median household income $86,632
Median home value $999,999
Monthly LIRR ticket from Southold $450
School districts, graduation rates Southold (91%), Greenport (73%)
Parks McCabe's Beach, Hortons Point
Libraries Southold, Floyd Memorial
Hospitals Stony Brook Eastern Long Island, Peconic Bay Medical Center
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 92
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2019 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $3.2 million, the postmodern home on North Bayview Road features a service window from the kitchen to the patio. Credit: Rise Media /Bobby Alan
$3.2 million
At 4,000 square feet, this postmodern five-bedroom, 4.5 bath house built in 2019 features a front porch, open floor plan, chef’s kitchen with a service window to the patio and butler’s pantry, hardwood floors, bay windows, built-ins and a ceiling-high stone hearth in living room. Formerly a horse property, the 2.44-acre parcel has an outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, hot tub and barn. Taxes are $24,804. Thomas McCarthy, Thomas J. McCarthy Real Estate, 631-765-5815.
Priced at $1.65 million, this cottage on Lighthouse Road comes with beach rights. Credit: Corcoran Group
$1.65 million
Built in 1927, this 1,600-square-foot shingled cottage near Horton Point Lighthouse with beach rights has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, beamed ceilings, original fieldstone fireplaces, and a sunporch/dining room. The 0.66-acre property has a pool, outdoor shower and landscaped grounds. Taxes are $6,752. Sheri Winter Parker, Corcoran Group, 631-765-1300.
Priced at $999,000, this Cape on Paradise Shores Road has beach rights. Credit: Rise Media/Bobby Alan
$999,000
This updated 1,600-square-foot Cape built on a ¼-acre lot in 1950 with Sound and bay beach rights is near Southold Bay and Peconic River. It has an open floor plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, hardwood floors, first-floor primary suite, and second-floor office space. Taxes are $6,095. Barbara and Kenneth Poliwoda, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-477-2220.
RECENTLY SOLD
$2.9 million
N. Bayview Rd.
Style Nantucket
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3½
Built 2009
Lot size 0.07
Taxes $19,393
+/- List price +$250,000
Days on market 48
$901,000
N. Bayview Rd.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1973
Lot size 0.92 acre
Taxes $6,378
+/- List price +$52,000
Days on market 77
$525,000
Main Bayview Rd.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1920
Lot size 0.4 acre
Taxes $4,741
+/- List price +$26,000
Days on market 69
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 24
Price range $599,000 to $7.75 million
Tax range $5,500 to $51,734
