Looking for a home in Bellmore?

With its vibrant downtown, popular annual events and recreational areas, the South Shore community of Bellmore has all the markings of a family-oriented community, local real estate agents say.

Revitalized Bedford Avenue is dotted by a multiplex theater, shops and eateries, including the popular Matteo's Restaurant. Margaret Biegmelman of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Merrick describes the downtown district as "quaint."

"It gets a lot of activity, especially in the summer," adds resident Bonnie Goldstein, also of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Nearby, on Pettit Avenue, is Bellmore Movies (originally a vaudeville house), where live performances are staged.

Newbridge Road Park and Pool offers an indoor ice-skating rink, pools and baseball fields. Repairs are being made to the storm-damaged pool, says town spokesman Mike Deery, noting it will open on time this summer.

On the waterfront, two peninsulas are separated by a canal. Newbridge peninsula, which was developed first, has smaller split-levels and high-ranches, Goldstein says, noting many have been razed and supersized. Prices range from the $400,000s to more than $1 million. The East Bay peninsula, where prices start in the $500,000s, is dominated by splanches and Colonials. Inland, split-ranches, Colonials, high-ranches and split-levels generally are priced from the $400,000s to the $600,000s.

Goldstein says not all waterfront homes were damaged by superstorm Sandy. And while there is buying activity on the water, it's not as much as last year. "There are people who like the water and I think it will be in demand again," Goldstein says, adding, "It was such an unusual storm."

Town: Bellmore

Area: 2.5 square miles

ZIP code: 11710

Population: 16,591

Median age: 41.6

Median household income: $108,589

Median home value: $407,500*

Monthly ticket: $254

School district: Bellmore; Bellmore-Merrick; North Bellmore