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
THE SCOOP Despite the fact that there’s no downtown center, West Islip boasts a strong sense of community, says Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
“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
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are none on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Jan. 31, 2021, and Feb. 28, 2022, there were 321 home sales with a median sale price of $575,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $274,000 and the high was $3.35 million. During that period a year earlier there were 269 home sales with a median sale price of $501,000. The price range was $270,000 to $2.08 million.
OTHER STATS
Town Islip
Area 6.3 square miles
ZIP code 11795
Population 27,048
Median age 43.1
Median household income $125,779
Median home value $592,500*
Monthly LIRR ticket from Babylon $363
School districts, graduation rates West Islip (96%), Bay Shore (89%)
Parks West Islip Beach and Marina Park
Libraries West Islip, Bay Shore-Brightwaters
Hospitals Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, South Shore University Hospital
Transit Suffolk County Transit Routes 27, 40, 42
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2019 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov *Based on 146 sales in the past six months, per OneKey MLS
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $1.68 million, this Colonial on West Islip Road is on a creek off Great South Bay. Credit: Long Island Virtual Tours
$1.68 million
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
$999,999
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
$799,990
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.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.28 million
Carolee Court
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2 full, 3 half
Built 1968
Lot size 0.47 acre
Taxes $22,500
+/- List price -$20,000
Days on market 109
$448,500
Udalia Rd.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Built 1960
Lot size 0.13 acre
Taxes $8,642
+/- List price +$23,500
Days on market 70
$357,000
Leopold Ave.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1
Built 1955
Lot size 0.25 acre
Taxes $9,067
+/- List price -$42,000
Days on market 33
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 38
Price range $419,000 to $5.95 million
Tax range $8,497 to $46,127
