St. James: Old-fashioned charm in a country atmosphere
The Deepwells Farm Historical Society hosts cultural programs and activities. Credit: Johnny Milano
THE SCOOP While housing inventory is limited in St. James, it’s a popular area for home seekers from the city, according to Bonnie Glenn, an agent with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in St. James. “We have people moving here who want more of a country atmosphere, but don’t want to move too far east. They know it's only 52 miles to get to New York City.”
Within the hamlet homebuyers have a choice of neighborhoods and prices. The north-south avenues and east-west streets in the grid area are popular with those who enjoy walking to town, and have ranches, Capes and Colonials, Glenn said, adding, “None look the same. Homes here start around $449,000 and go up to about $800,000.”
The St. James General Store, built in 1857, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Credit: Johnny Milano
St. James East has ranches and Capes built on ¼-acre lots starting around $600,000. In the northeast there are developments with newer, larger homes on 1 acre, including Colonials, ranches and Victorians from $900,000 to $1.8 million.
In the early 1900s, St. James became a popular summer hangout for some big names, including the Barrymores, Irving Berlin, Buster Keaton and Myrna Loy.
Moriches Avenue and the surrounding area comprise the Saint James Historic District and includes what is believed to be the oldest general store in the U.S. still under operation, the 1857 St. James General Store, which sells old-fashioned candy and toys. There’s also Deepwells Farm Historical Society, an 1845 estate that offers cultural programs and activities.
Homes along Fourth Street. Credit: Johnny Milano
Another landmark that passersby might recognize is the weather-beaten Winnie the Witch, the giant figure that has loomed over the greenhouses at Wicks Farm on Route 25A since 1977.
The main street, Lake Avenue, is the site for parades and home to restaurants and specialty shops, as well as the train station, one of the oldest on Long Island.
The hamlet is 15 minutes from the Port Jefferson Ferry to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Nearby are Town of Smithtown beaches such as Long Beach, which has a marina, and Short Beach, both on Long Island Sound, and the 8.3-mile long Nissequogue River, which is popular for kayaking.
The St. James General Store. Credit: Johnny Milano
Meg Shutka, vice president of the St. James Chamber of Commerce, said she’s hopeful that recent road improvements along Lake Avenue will attract more businesses to the area. Some residents are opposing a proposed eight-lot subdivision of a 75-acre Gyrodyne property at a mostly undeveloped North Country Road site over traffic concerns.
Homes along Jackson Avenue South. Credit: Johnny Milano
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are five condos on the market, ranging from $350,000 to $419,990.
SALE PRICES Between Aug. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, there were 151 home sales with a median sale price of $630,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $340,000 and the high was $2.1 million. During that period a year earlier there were 222 home sales with a median sale price of $600,000. The price range was $340,000 to $1.85 million.
OTHER STATS
Town Smithtown
Area 4.56 square miles
ZIP code 11780
Population 13, 487
Median age 46.8
Median household income $122,542
Median home value $741,250
Monthly LIRR ticket from St. James $365
School district, graduation rate Smithtown, 96%
Parks Veterans Memorial, Gaynor parks
Library Smithtown
Hospitals Stony Brook University Hospital, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Transit Suffolk County Transit Routes 56, 58
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $1.6 million, this postmodern on Monterrey Drive is in the gated Hamlet Estates community. Credit: Rob Cuni
$1.6 million
This five-bedroom, 5½-bath postmodern in the gated Hamlet Estates is on 0.53 acre. Built in 2013, it has an open-concept kitchen, bridal staircase, two fireplaces, a primary suite with a balcony, a finished basement with a home theater, inground pool and outdoor kitchen. The community has a clubhouse, gym, putting green, and more. Taxes are $34,199 plus $765 monthly fees. Debra Carr, Netter Real Estate, 631-661-5100.
Priced at $829,990, this Colonial on Maywood Court is on a cul-de-sac in Mill Pond Estates. Credit: Image Habitat /Jim Harrison
$829,990
Built in 1987 in Mill Pond Estates, this four-bedroom, 2½-bath Colonial is on 1.07 acres. It has an eat-in-kitchen with granite countertops, a formal living room and dining room, a den with a fireplace, two garage spaces, Trex decking and an inground pool. Taxes are $20,115. Anthony Guidice and Laura Blanco, RE/MAX Signature Real Estate, 631-941-4111.
Priced at $449,000, this ranch on Second Avenue is set on a little more than a ¼ acre. Credit: Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
$449,000
This one-bedroom, one-bath country ranch built in 1941 on 0.28 acre is near town. There’s a living room with built-in bookcases surrounding a brick wood-burning fireplace, an eat-in-kitchen, three-season room, fenced-in backyard and space for an additional bedroom. Taxes are $7,665. Bonnie Glenn, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, 631-584-6600.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.15 million
Holly Ln.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3½
Built 1979
Lot size 2.03 acres
Taxes $18,978
+/- List price +$151,000
Days on market 73
$925,000
Tusa Ct.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3
Built 1992
Lot size 1.07 acres
Taxes $19,927
+/- List price +$56,000
Days on market 69
$816,000
Highwoods Rd.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1970
Lot size 0.54 acre
Taxes $18,943
+/- List price +$47,000
Days on market 90
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 34
Price range $350,000 to $20 million
Tax range $7,665 to $71,554
