Thinking of buying in Wading River?
Exterior of house at 6 Long View Drive in Wading River. Credit: Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan
THE SCOOP Some refer to Wading River as the gateway to the North Fork. It's only about eight minutes to Baiting Hollow, where there is a winery, says Millie Thomas, owner-broker of Landmark Realty of Long Island in Wading River.
But this community bordering Long Island Sound has a few attractions to call its own. It's home to Wildwood State Park, a popular venue for camping, fishing, picnicking and cross-country skiing.
"We have great restaurants, farm stands, golf courses, town beaches and Twin Ponds -- a terrific place for wedding photos,'' says Joy Bryant of Little Bay Realty. "What I love is that it has all the character of a small town," adds Thomas.
There are four development proposals in the planning process. The applicants are working on a comprehensive traffic study, says Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter. The county is looking to acquire one parcel, an open field east of CVS, for passive recreation.
The proposals for commercial development have the attention of local civic groups, which launched a campaign to "Save Wading River."
As for housing, the selection is diverse: "We have newer developments like Birchwood Park, Great Rock and Meadowcrest as well as historic homes and summer cottages that are near the park," Thomas says.
"Business seems to be picking up," says Bryant. "If houses are priced correctly, they sell," adds Theresa Rottkamp, an agent at Coldwell Banker Premier Homes.
CONDOS The Horizon has three listings, $359,000 to $399,900; Wading River Woods, an HOA community, has one listing, $499,990.
SALES PRICE Since last April, there were 65 sales with a median price of $375,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $70,000 and the high was $950,000. From March 2009 to March 2010, there were 78 sales. The median price was $375,000, with a low of $165,000 and a high of $1,500,000.
ATTRACTIONS Wading River Beach; Wading River boat ramp; the annual Duck Pond Day, which was last weekend, occurs each May.
OTHER STATS
Town: Riverhead
Area: 9.8 square miles
ZIP code: 11792
Population: 8,964
Median age: 37.1
Median household income: $93,906
Median home value: $321,000*
LIRR time to NYC: From Port Jefferson, 1 hour and 36 minutes to 1 hour and 53 minutes
Monthly ticket: $334
School districts: Shoreham-Wading River and Riverhead
SOURCES: Census estimates; www.mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road
*Based on sales in the past six months according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island
