If you're thinking of buying in Sayville, a real homeycommunity

THE SCOOP Ask Sayville residents about this South Shore community, and you'll often hear it was voted "friendliest town in the United States." That was in 1994 by California State University at Fresno. "That means people have been saying it for 16 years," muses resident Manon Compitello of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

"It's a hometown town," adds lifelong resident Leesa Haas, owner-broker of Leesa Byrnes Realty, citing an ongoing roster of festivities, a charming commercial district, bayfront beaches and historic structures. Also touted are restaurants "to suit every taste," says Donna Mello of Century 21 Bay's Edge Realty. New to the scene are Butera's Italian Restaurant and Bullfish Grill.

There's something to be said for location, too: "Sayville is right between the Hamptons and New York City and directly across from Fire Island," says Compitello.

As for housing, vintage is king. A sample includes older Victorians in South Sayville and saltbox Colonials in West Sayville. Buyers can find ranches, splits and Capes as well. A newer development of about 20 postmoderns is off Johnson Avenue. Overall, prices range from the $300,000s to more than $1 million.

"Prices have dropped like everywhere else, but it enables people who have been waiting to get into Sayville to buy," Haas says.

ADULT COMMUNITIES $229,000 to $429,000

CO-OPS $99,000 to $139,900

MONTHLY RENTALS About $1,225 to $1,650 plus.

SALES PRICE Since last October, there were 93 sales with a median price of $400,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $195,000, and the high was $985,000. From September 2008 to September 2009, there were 90 sales. The median price was $403,800 with a low of $259,000 and a high of $1,015,000.

ATTRACTIONS Fishing and boating. Parks include Islip Grange, where historic homes dot an open field.

Other stats

Town: Islip

Area: 5.5 square miles

ZIP code: 11782*

Population: 16,807

Median age: 39.6

Median household income: $95,135

Median home value: $365,000**

Median age of homes: 46

Percent owning home: 82*

LIRR time to NYC: 1 hour and 16 minutes to 1 hour and 38 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $306

School district: Sayville; a few students attend Connetquot.

SOURCES: Claritas 2009; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road;

* Includes Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines

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