Perched on Great South Bay, West Islip has staying power
A view of Everdell Avenue and Burling Lane in the northern section of West Islip. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
“You’ll see many, many families who have grown up in West Islip, who go away to school, get married and when it’s time to settle down and buy a home, they want to come back to West Islip,” Carpenter says.
Dedication to community is exemplified by Women of West Islip (WOWI), a group that runs fundraisers, and food and clothing drives for many local causes.
Homes along Keith Canal in West Islip, which lies off Great South Bay. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Many in the West Islip community banded together soon after La Grange Inn, a local institution since 1750, closed in 2010 and reopened as a CVS. The building was restored to its historical look. Since 2019 it has housed the West Islip History Center Society and Museum.
A sizable Ukrainian population, many descendants of early 1900s settlers, is served by Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. One notable Ukrainian émigré who lived in West Islip was William Dzus, who invented an industrial fastener used by the military in WWII and who founded the West Islip Public Library in 1957.
Businesses along Montauk Highway. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
The south end of the hamlet is perched along Great South Bay and boasts beaches, a marina, a playground, and waterfront homes.
Last year, residents voted against selling an abandoned elementary school to a developer attempting to build senior housing there, which would have eliminated popular playing fields on the 11-acre property.
Captree Village shopping center on Union Boulevard. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
There’s a need for senior housing in the hamlet and also transit-oriented housing for younger people, says Carpenter, who notes that the town requires an affordable component for each new project built.
People are drawn to the hamlet for its proximity to highways, parkways and ocean beaches, says Tracy Boucher, a real estate agent with Signature Premier Properties. “And it’s an hour commute to the city,” she adds.
Housing stock is mostly Capes, split-levels and Colonials, with prices ranging from the $400,000s to about $900,000, and waterfront properties going for about $900,000 to $6 million.
Cassandra Trimarco, of West Isliip, accompanies her daughter, Naomi, 1, at the playground at West Islip Beach. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Priced at $1.68 million, this Colonial on West Islip Road is on a creek off Great South Bay. Credit: Long Island Virtual Tours
Set on Skookwams Creek off Great South Bay, this 6,000-square-foot Colonial features seven bedrooms, 3½ baths, primary suite with a balcony overlooking the bay, and a third-floor recreation room with wet bar. The 0.45-acre property has a gunite pool, studio cottage, private deck and beach. Taxes are $22,541. Brad Wilson, Jones Hollow Realty Group, 833-465-6637.
Priced at $999,000, this expanded Cape on Montauk Highway has nearly 2 acres of property. Credit: Signature Premier Properties
This 2,919-square-foot expanded Cape on a 1.9-acre lot has three bedrooms. 2½ baths, hardwood floors, custom moldings, kitchen with custom cabinetry, and sunroom. The primary suite has ceiling beams and a private deck. Taxes are $19,553. Tracy Boucher, Signature Premier Properties, 631-642-2300.
Priced at $799,000, this Colonial on Oakwood Avenue features a full finished basement. Credit: Leading Edge Real Estate Services
At just under 2,500 square feet, this renovated Colonial features five bedrooms, four baths, an eat-in-kitchen with cherrywood cabinets, and a full finished basement. The 0.21-acre property has an above-ground pool. Taxes are $14,675. Mandy Marziliano, Leading Edge Real Estate Services, 631-661-6900.
Carolee Court
Udalia Rd.
Leopold Ave.
