If you're looking to buy in Greenport

THE SCOOP. It's not surprising that Greenport was named one of America's prettiest towns earlier this year by Forbes.com.

Historic and charming, the heart of this village offers shops and restaurants -- both fine and casual -- as well as marinas and the 4-acre waterside Mitchell Park, popular for its antique carousel.

And the beauty of living in the village is you don't really need a vehicle to get around. "You can walk everywhere," says former New York City resident Kathleen Travers of Brown Harris Stevens in Greenport. "Greenport is desirable for Manhattanites who commute here by train or Jitney, because they don't need a car," adds resident JoAnn Wind of Century 21 Albertson Realty in Greenport. Ditto for boaters who dock here for a visit. "You can spend your money on a kayak instead of gas," Travers muses.

Greenport Village is the only North Fork community with sewers and its own electric company. The unincorporated area of Greenport stretches to the Long Island Sound. Homes on bluffs overlooking the Sound start at $1 million. Prices jump with more acreage, Travers says.

As far as this summer goes, Wind says it's the busiest she has ever seen.

CO-OPS. Listings from $110,000 to $159,999

CONDOS. Listings from $369,000 to $759,000

RENTALS. July or August can range from $5,000 to $8,000 a month.

SALES PRICE. According to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, there were 25 sales with a median price of $440,000 from July 1, 2010, to Aug. 10, 2011. The low was $190,000, and the high was $1,315,000. From June 2009 to June 2010, there were 38 sales with a median price of $368,750. The low also $190,000 and high was $1,500,000.

ATTRACTIONS. Museums, including the Village Blacksmith Shop and East End Seaport on the waterfront; nearby wineries; a skate park; and the Maritime Festival (Sept. 23-25).

MORE STATS

Town: Southold

Area: Village, 1 square mile; Greenport West, 3.3 square miles

ZIP code: 11944

Population: Village, 2,197; Greenport West, 2,124

Median age: Village, 42.2; Greenport West, 61.8

Median household income: Village, $58,345; Greenport West, $55,625

Median home value: $425,000*

LIRR time to NYC: 2 hours and 50 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $429, Hampton Jitney Stops in Greenport

School district: Greenport

Source: Census estimates; 2010 census population; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island