Great River home buyers find LI 'South Shore's best-kept secret'
Homes along the Connetquot River in Great River mostly fared well during superstorm Sandy. Credit: Barry Sloan
Laid back and bucolic, the hamlet of Great River is bordered by Heckscher State Park, Timber Point Country Club and Bayard Cutting Arboretum. The Connetquot River flows along its eastern edge, as well.
"It's the South Shore's best-kept secret," says Irene Lockel, associate broker of Netter Real Estate, adding that in the past she has referred to Great River as a place where "the streets wind and you unwind."
"It's very quaint," adds Katherine Ferraro of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, noting the post office, a deli and the fire department dot River Road. And since Great River is one of the few communities on Long Island without mail delivery, residents head to the post office to collect their mail, which residents say builds a feeling of community.
Homes -- from modest ranches to grand Victorians -- have manicured lawns. Much of the area is zoned for half-acre parcels, though smaller and larger plots exist. Houses along the riverfront often have bulkhead and one to three acres of property. Overall, prices range from the $400,000s to more than $1 million.
Shops, services and eateries can be found nearby in East Islip and other neighboring communities.
Compared to other South Shore communities, Great River fared well during superstorm Sandy, agents say, noting flooding is generally not an issue here.
SALES PRICES. From Sept. 1, 2012, to Oct. 20, 2013, there were 15 sales with a median price of $551,500, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $430,000, and the high was $800,000. From Sept. 1, 2011, to Oct. 20, 2012, there were 8 sales. The median price was $557,000, with a low of $438,000 and a high of $817,500.
ATTRACTIONS. Timber Point Golf Course is open to the public; the Timber Point tidal wetland area provides opportunities for fishing, hiking and canoeing; the Great River Community Association hosts events, including last week's annual Halloween party.
MORE STATS ON GREAT RIVER
Town: Islip
Area: 6.9 square miles
ZIP code: 11739
Population: 1,574
Median age: 42.5
Median household income: $127,578
Median home value: $647,500
LIRR time to NYC: 68 minutes to 90 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket: $363
School district: East Islip
Sources: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; LIRR;
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
