If you're looking to buy in Islip Terrace

THE SCOOP Like so many Long Island communities, Islip Terrace is one of those places where family roots are formed. The area often attracts adults who were raised here as well as first-time home buyers, local agents say.

"I live three blocks from where I grew up," says Christine Geraghty of Winkler Real Estate. "There's that trend here," she adds "It's a great community -- you see people walking dogs, kids riding bikes and families with strollers."

Debbie Carpluk of Century 21 Selmar Realty, who also hails from Islip Terrace, echoes the sentiment: "As my mother always says, we are a long line of boomerangers and homing pigeons."

The hamlet, which is just north of Sunrise Highway, has its own post office and fire department. And though there isn't a downtown district, there are clusters of stores -- many of them long-standing mom-and-pop shops as well as a new CVS.

When it comes to housing, ranch styles rule, though Capes, Colonials and split-levels are part of the mix. Horse properties (two horses per half-acre) can be found on the northern side of town near Connetquot River State Park. Properties on the southwest side of Heckscher State Park are on the sewer system.

A new 55-plus community -- Providence on the Park off Connetquot Avenue -- opened last year. It comprises a clubhouse and 200 apartments ranging from $1,595 to $1,750 a month. There are two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos for sale as well. A total of 40 will be built with a starting price of $299,000.

SALES PRICE From Oct. 1, 2010, to Nov. 28, 2011, there were 47 sales with a median sales price of $295,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $160,000, and the high was $475,000. From Sept. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30, 2010, there were 61 sales. The median price was $319,000 with a low of $165,000 and a high of $510,000.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Connetquot River State Park, with horseback riding, hiking and cross-country skiing, The Bayard Cutting Arboretum and Heckscher State Park.

MORE STATS

Town Islip

Area 1.4 square miles

ZIP code 11752

Population 5,389

Median age 38.4

Median household income $86,324

Median home value $258,375*

LIRR time to NYC From Central Islip 1 hour, 2 minutes to 1 hour, 19 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket $334

School district Most students attend East Islip; others go to Central Islip and Connetquot

SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road;

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