Homebuyers who grew in Wantagh returning, expanding homes
A kayaker enjoys a November spin in the waters off Wantagh Park. Credit: Danielle Silverman
“Fifty percent of our home sales in Wantagh are to people who grew up there and want to come back. They wind up buying their parents’ homes or relocating there after college,” said Martin Sorrentino, a broker with Signature Premier Properties.
Many new residents tend to buy ranches and Capes “and make massive, 3,500-square-foot homes on the footprint,” said Michael MacSaveny, an agent with Exit Realty Premier.
The Wantagh Preservation Society is home to a museum and old train station. Credit: Danielle Silverman
A popular area is Mandalay Bay, which has large waterfront Colonials and new construction. Other styles in Wantagh include high, split and Levitt ranches and expanded Capes with prices from the low $400,000s to more than $1 million. There are also condominiums with limited inventory that start at around $375,000, and some historic homes that occasionally come on the market.
Wantagh was primarily farmland until Sunrise Highway and Jones Beach were built in the 1920s, bringing tourism and sport fishing, with the oceanfront state park the main attraction. While the Long Island Rail Road has been in the town since the 1880s, it wasn’t until the housing boom of the 1950s to 1970s that the hamlet became a true suburb.
Although there’s no downtown, there are plenty of restaurants and retail options along Wantagh Avenue. A big draw to the area is the 111-acre Wantagh Park on the East Bay waterfront, with miniature golf, a marina, sports courts, playgrounds and swimming pools. Twin Lakes Preserve offers 58 acres of freshwater ponds, wetlands, hiking and bird watching. Just east of the Wantagh Parkway is the 259-acre Cedar Creek Park in Seaford.
Cherrywood Shopping Center on Wantagh Avenue. Credit: Danielle Silverman
The Wantagh Museum is a county park that features a post office, train station and a 1968 parlor car.
Wantagh retains its suburban feel. “It’s a town that still has a July Fourth parade where there’s always a huge turnout and there’s community involvement with Little League,” said Sorrentino.
Waterfront Wantagh Park has athletic fields, walking trails, playgrounds, pools and more. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Priced at $850,000, this Dutch Colonial on Park Avenue has an updated kitchen. Credit: Andrea Onglengco
Priced at $799,000, this splanch on Mandalay Beach Road features a living room with vaulted ceilings. Credit: Blue Island Homes
Priced at $449,000, this Cape on Woodland Avenue has an updated kitchen and bath. Credit: VHT Studios
Set on 0.14 acre, this 1,075-square-foot Cape built in 1951 has four bedrooms and an updated kitchen and bathroom. It also has wood floors, a first-floor laundry and is close to Wantagh Park. Taxes are $11,660. Kelly Cafiso, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 516-425-2214.
Henry Rd.
Seneca Pl.
Kimberly Ct.
