Lawrence: Bustling business district, diverse residents, proximity to beaches draw buyers

Central Avenue is the bustling heart of downtown Lawrence. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

By Aidan JohnsonSpecial to NewsdayUpdated July 8, 2026 6:51 am

THE SCOOP While it may border Queens, Lawrence offers its own distinct small town feeling, with the added bonus of an abundance of nearby beaches.

"In five minutes, you're in Atlantic Beach or Long Beach, you have that whole area there," said real estate agent Irene Steiner, who has lived in Lawrence for over 40 years.

In addition to the sandy shores, the family- and friend-centric vibe of the village is a draw for her clients, Steiner said.

"The younger crowd is drawn here because of their friends and relatives who moved here," she said.

"The older crowd [is] because their younger kids moved here, and as they're retiring, they want to be closer to family," Steiner said.

Brittney Gatlin, of Rockville Centre, pushes her son Mason, 7,... — Brittney Gatlin, of Rockville Centre, pushes her son Mason, 7, on the swings at Zion Park in Lawrence. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

With 3.72 square miles of land, Lawrence is part of the Five Towns area, a group of towns in Hempstead that got its name due to having five consecutive stops on the Long Island Rail Road's Far Rockaway branch, along with the formation of the Five Towns Community Chest in the early 1930s.

Mayor Samuel Nahmias, who has served in the role since 2024 and has lived in Lawrence for nearly two decades, described the village as a place with "rich history, strong sense of community, beautiful homes and exceptional quality of life."

"People appreciate the village's unique combination of suburban tranquility, proximity to New York City and deep-rooted community connections," he said.

People enjoy food at Very Juice on bustling Central Avenue. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

The village has both a country club and a marina, along with a golf course and year-round recreational facilities.

Lawrence's business district sits along Central Avenue, starting out by Rockaway Turnpike, and ending mid-street on Washington Avenue in Cedarhurst. It houses about 50 stores, including over a dozen restaurants, with many of the establishments locally owned, according to Nahmias.

Other notable roads include Broadway, with its intersection with Meadow Lane serving as the point where the lane becomes Rockaway Turnpike.

Rockaway Turnpike also contains the Sherwood Diner, a fixture in the Lawrence Community. George Hadjizacharia, owner of the diner since 1997, said that while he has considered selling it, he is not sure "if I'm going to be able to survive without it because I love it."

Central Avenue is home to bistros, banks, florists and butcher... — Central Avenue is home to bistros, banks, florists and butcher shops, like Meat Maven, where Wilson Peralta, of Lawrence, works. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

A few years prior to Hadjizacharia buying the diner, it served as a setting in the 1990 crime thriller "Goodfellas," though filming took place at a separate location due to renovations that caused the diner to no longer have the period-appropriate look for the movie.

Jewish culture plays a significant role in the town, with a majority of the residents practicing the religion, though "Lawrence is also home to people of many different faiths and backgrounds who live together harmoniously," Nahmias said.

"Above all, we see ourselves as Lawrencians first, united by our shared pride in the village," he said.

Homes at Harborview South and Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

SALE PRICES Between June 23, 2025, and June 22, 2026, there were 44 home sales with a median sale price of $1.987 million, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 42 home sales with a median sale price of $999,000.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are four condos, priced between $310,000 and $2.235 million, on the market.