Apartments, condos coming to Freeport, named one of nation's 'coolest' communities
Jackie Casey goes on a walk with her children, James and Rory, at the Woodcleft Scenic Pier in Freeport. Credit: Shelby Knowles
THE SCOOP
Freeport is known for boating, fishing, the famed Nautical Mile — and being one of the "coolest" places in the United States.
In 2015, the village was named the seventh-coolest town in the country in the annual ranking by Matador Network, a travel and adventure lifestyle media company.
Prospective home buyers also may find it cool that Freeport provides home and business owners with discounted electricity and water, says Mayor Robert Kennedy. With the village's own power plants and wells, the cost of electricity is about 40 percent less and water 35 percent to 38 percent less than in surrounding communities, Kennedy says.
“It makes it very appetizing for businesses and residents to come in and use our electric and water,” Kennedy says of Freeport, which, at more than four square miles, is the second-largest village in New York State.
Over the last four years, Kennedy says, Freeport has seen a 54 percent reduction in crime. He credits the reduction to the village’s fiber-optic “Ring of Steel,” which was installed three years ago and placed license plate readers at every entrance into the village. That, along with a roughly 25 percent increase in the number of village police officers, has proved to be a deterrent for criminals, Kennedy says.
“It’s well known, it’s advertised, and I think the bad guys are staying out,” Kennedy says.
This ranch, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, is listed for $599,999. Credit: Redfin Real Estate
Freeport in recent years has also seen new development, both residential and commercial. That has included Target, a Jaguar-Land Rover dealership, a Burger King and, coming soon, an Arby’s.
Construction began in 2017 on the new $40-million Moxey Rigby apartment building, which will offer about 100 apartments, two community centers and more than 100 parking spots across the street from the original 60-year-old buildings that suffered damage during superstorm Sandy. In addition to recently completed townhouse-style condos such as Ocean Watch at Harbor Pointe, Yachtsman’s Cove and Kristi Rose Gardens, more complexes are currently under construction in the village, Kennedy says.
Freeport offers a mix of housing styles both in terms of architecture (ranches, split-levels, Capes, Victorians) and of periods (vintage to new construction), says Carol Sparaco of Sparaco-Lieberman Realty. Prices, she says, typically range from around the low $300,000s to as much as $800,000.
Freeport, she adds, offers a 45-minute train ride to Manhattan, a short drive to beaches and easy access to and from main roadways.
This split-level, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, is listed for $359,000. Credit: Realty Connect USA
The village, celebrating its 125th year of incorporation, is home to the Freeport Recreation Center, which includes indoor and outdoor pools, an ice rink and a health wing with a fitness center, gymnasium, locker rooms and other amenities. Along Woodcleft Avenue is the Nautical Mile, a canal-front strip offering restaurants, bars, shops, fishing charters, water sports and recreation, as well as annual festivals and events.
CONDOS AND TOWNHOUSES
There are 26 condos on the market, ranging in price from $204,900 to $995,000, and 16 co-ps, listed between $105,000 and $249,000.
SALES PRICES
Between Nov. 1, 2017, and Nov. 21, 2018, there were 350 home sales with a median sale price of $380,000, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $135,000 and the high was $702,500. During that period a year earlier, there were 337 home sales with a median sale price of $340,000. The price range was $88,000 to $645,000.
This Colonial, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, is listed for $419,000. Credit: Sparaco-Lieberman Realty
SCHOOLS
Most students attend Freeport High School.
OTHER STATS
Town: Hempstead
Area: 4.6 square miles
ZIP code: 11520
Population: 42,860
Median age: 37.2
Median household income: $68,963
Median home value: $383,300*
LIRR to NYC: 41 to 49 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket: $297
School district: Freeport
SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; LIRR
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
RECENTLY SOLD
$320,000
Westend Ave.
Style: Colonial
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Built: 1928
Lot size: 56x125
Taxes: $10,655
Reduced: $29,000
Days on the market: 75
$430,000
Nassau Ave.
Style: Split-level
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Built: 1956
Lot size: 60x100
Taxes: $9,492
Reduced: $9,000
Days on the market: 88
$615,000
Guy Lombardo Ave.
Style: Contemporary
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2 full, 1 half
Built: 1988
Lot size: 60x150
Taxes: $18,110
Reduced: $44,000
Days on the market: 194
NOW ON THE MARKET
$359,000
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split-level features a living room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen and a den. The 50-by-100-foot property includes an attached 1-1/2 car garage. Taxes: $12,600. Laurie Riechert, Realty Connect USA, 516-448-8195
$419,000
This Colonial, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, includes a granite kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a master bedroom with dual walk-in closets and a covered terrace. The 100-by-50-foot property has a detached 1-1/2 car garage. Taxes: $13,218. Carol Sparaco, Sparaco-Lieberman Realty, 516-318-2588
$599,999
This five-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch has a living room with a fireplace, an open concept granite kitchen and dining area with sliders, a master suite with a walk-in closet. The 102-by-70-foot property has a rear patio and attached two-car garage. Taxes: $20,499. Martin Freiman, Redfin Real Estate, 516-426-8639
On Multiple Listings
Number of houses: 136
Price range: $160,000-$1.199 million
Tax range: $5,768-$27,257
