$979,778Average Value$403Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Frequent events build community in Brightwaters
For many neighborhoods, the story of how they got their name is a point of pride, passed down from generation to generation. But in Brightwaters, a little village about a mile from downtown Bay Shore, there’s more than one story. Some say that it comes from a Native American word for the area, “wohseepee,” which is said to mean “place of bright waters,” though there's no evidence this is true. Another local legend says that in 1880, Maude Phelps, the daughter of a local landowner, saw the area’s string of spring-fed lakes and declared that it should be called Brightwaters. However it came to be, the name fits, conjuring images of sunlight glinting off water and hinting at one of Brightwaters’ major draws: water access and beautiful parks, helped along by the canal that runs into the Great South Bay.
The neighborhood is bright in another way, though, that draws people to settle and stay here — its community. “It’s extremely neighborly; everyone’s really friendly,” says Megan Gardner, a licensed real estate salesperson at Signature Premier Properties who grew up in Brightwaters and has been selling homes there for eight years. “It’s kind of like a family. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Especially in the summer, they’ll have get-togethers at the private beach where the village can come down and just catch up with each other and be with each other and relax and hang out, which is super nice.”
The lakes in Brightwaters give the area a picturesque landscape among which to live.
The water is just a few blocks away from most in Brightwaters.
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Enjoying nature by the lakes, dog-friendly Gilbert Beach
Brightwaters is a haven for nature lovers. “In the wintertime, when the lakes freeze, you can ice skate,” Gardner says. “And in the spring, it’s so lovely because we have families of swans that live there, and every year they build their nests and then we get to see the cygnets. It’s kind of a big thing.” Swimming and kayaking aren’t allowed, and although fishing is technically okay with a permit, many locals are concerned about swans, geese or herons getting tangled in fishing wire. “The residents of Brightwaters are very protective of the wildlife,” Gardner says. “So we take great care of the geese, the swans. We definitely have quick responses if we see an animal who’s hurt — calls are made immediately to whatever the right person is to come and rescue them. If you’re driving by the road by the lakes and you have your pack of geese coming, you have to wait. And it can take a long time!” Locals enjoy walking and biking around the lake or finding a peaceful spot to sit and watch wildlife. In 2022, the gazebos at the top of the canal and bridges at Upper Cascade Lake and Mirror Lake were restored. It’s not uncommon to see couples getting wedding or engagement photos taken at one of the gazebos or lakes.
Walker Beach and Gilbert Park, located on either side of the canal, are go-to spots for swimming and fishing. “Walker Beach is great because there’s usually an ice cream truck that pulls in, there aren’t big waves and there’s a playground on site,” says Margaret Smith, an associate broker at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty who has been selling homes here for over 30 years. “And it’s a private little beach that you can literally go to for an hour and if your kids need a nap, you can go home and do that.” Gilbert Park has a daily early morning “yappy hour,” where dogs frolic off-leash. “We joke that the dog park has the best views of the area because it’s right on the point,” Smith says. For boaters who don’t have private docks, there’s also a village marina. More inland, Wohseepee Park got new play equipment for toddlers in 2023, but it also has tennis courts and hosts village events. Residents can also rent its cabin for private events.
Walker Park and Beach in Brightwaters have pleasant picnic tables in the shade.
Gilbert Park is a great place to escape in the Brightwaters neighborhood.
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Inland homes starting around $650,000 in Brightwaters
“If you love old-world charm — houses built in the 1920s and up — this is the community that you would want to live in,” Smith says. “A lot of the houses were built in the early 1900s, so each of the houses are completely unique and different.” Older colonials, Tudors and Victorians dating from the first half of the 20th century are common here. So are Cape Cods, but that style can date anywhere from the 1920s to the 1960s. Ranch-style homes often date to the 1960s. Inland houses north of Union Boulevard typically start around $650,000 and max out at about $1 million, while the homes in the area around the lakes — fittingly called The Lakes by locals — typically range between $850,000 and $1.5 million.
Then there are the homes along the canal, which Smith says was built to resemble canals in Venice. Split into two areas called the East Concourse and West Concourse, these homes are just as coveted as they are unique. “Usually, when you live on the water, your canal is in the back and you’re giving up your backyard for canal space. What’s unique about Brightwaters is that with the concourse, your waterfront is in front of your house,” Smith says. “You have first option for the boat slip in front of your house. And you still have a really generous-sized backyard. It’s very cool. It’s so rare to have it in front of you so that’s what your house is overlooking — this Venice-like canal.” Typically, these homes start around $950,000 and can reach about $2 million. “There are only like 4 houses for sale in Brightwater the last I checked,” Smith says. “It’s not a big community, and people tend to not move. This is their final destination, really. They love it so much that there’s not a high turnover of houses.”
Brightwaters has a moderate risk of flooding from severe storms and hurricanes. Roads are the most frequently flooded, but severe storms like hurricanes can also flood homes and bring a major risk of wind damage. Getting insurance to protect against these things is a vital part of living here. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Some colonial style homes in Brightwaters vary in price range.
Cape Cod style homes are about the smallest in the affluent Brightwaters.
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Annual runs, Witches Paddle for Halloween
Village events are a vital part of Brightwaters’ community-focused atmosphere. Sporting events are popular, especially for local children, and there are two annual runs in the community. “In October, they do the Witches Paddle, and you get on your paddleboard and you paddle up the canal in your witches’ costume,” Gardner says. “You start out in the bay and you paddle up the canal. Everyone’s paddling in with their witch’s hats on. It’s great.” There’s also the Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, where people don their costumes, meet at the bank and parade to a haunted house in Wohseepee Park. Smith says that Brightwaters’ little beach is also a popular spot for community events, including movie nights, clam bakes and pizza nights.
Wohseepee Park has well maintained Tennis Courts in the Brightwaters neighborhood.
Boating in the Great South Bay and beyond is popular with Brightwaters residents.
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Restaurants and small businesses in the Four Corners
Brightwaters’ town center is a little intersection with a single stop light and a small collection of local businesses that locals call the Four Corners. But despite its size, Gardner still says that nearly anything locals need is there, including nail and hair salons, a dance studio, a bakery and a few restaurants. The recently renovated Mamma Santina Pizza is the go-to for pizza and chicken parmesan, and Gardner says it often has live music. Brightwaters Inn is where many locals catch the game together, and Henley’s Village Tavern has a relaxed, pub-like atmosphere and a penchant for serving dessert in skillets. “Not only is the food good at all of them, but it’s a great vibe if you wanted to just go there and have a drink and apps,” Gardner says. For dessert, Dulce de Leche Cake Shop has a case brimming with options and decorates cakes for parties and special events. Bay Shore’s busy downtown has more shopping and dining about a mile away. Major retailers, including Target, Old Navy and Barnes & Noble, are also nearby, just outside Brightwaters’ northern border. Alongside these shops is King Kullen, where many locals get groceries.
Henley's Tavern in Brightwaters is an upscale eatery with a lively bar scene.
Brightwaters Inn is a local bar with a lively crowd.
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Sports at Bay Shore High
Niche gives the Bay Shore Union Free School District an A. Children can attend Fifth Avenue School, which has an A-minus, from kindergarten through second grade and South Country School, which has a B-plus, from third through fifth grade. They then move on to Bay Shore Middle School, which also has a B-plus, and Bay Shore High School, which has an A-minus. The high school is known for its sports and has a track record of producing semi-pro and pro athletes. In the 2024 season, its boys’ basketball team won the school’s first Long Island championship since 1981. The team finished their season with a near-perfect 25 wins out of 26 games, coming just shy of winning the state championship.
Fifth Avenue School is an Elementary School in Bay Shore that serves 388 students grates K-2.
Bay Shore senior high school near Brightwaters serves 1,1873 students grades 9-12.
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Major highways, LIRR and nearby hospitals
Sunrise Highway and Montauk Highway both run through Brightwaters, and it takes just a few minutes to get onto Robert Moses Causeway. This makes it easy to travel by car, but Bay Shore Station on the Long Island Rail Road provides yet another option just a mile from home. From there, commuters reach Manhattan’s Penn Station in about an hour and 15 minutes. Bay Shore’s ferry to Fire Island is less than 2 miles away, making it a breeze to hop over to bigger, more exciting beaches. South Shore University Hospital is also less than 2 miles away, and it’s only a little farther — about 3 miles — to Good Samaritan University Hospital. Long Island MacArthur Airport is 13 miles away.
The Bay Shore LIRR is super close to Brightwaters,
Fire Island ferries run regularly from the Bay Shore terminal near Brightwaters.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Megan Gardner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Wohseepee Park
Tennis
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Spur Drive Park
Basketball
Playground
Robert Moses State Park
Beach
Playground
Ocean
Walker Park
Basketball
Fishing
Beach
Anthony Casamento Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Pool
Gilbert Park
Fishing
Beach
Multi-Purpose Field
Gardiner County Park
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Trails
Transit
Airport
Long Island MacArthur
22 min drive
Bus
Montauk HWY & S Windsor Ave
Bus
Sunrise HWY & Howells Rd (S)
Bus
Brightwaters Dr & N Windsor Ave
Bus
Sunrise HWY & Howells Rd (N)
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.33 Reviews
4.0Current Resident
3/28/2019Niche Review
It is a beautiful place to live , almost like you've stepped back in time. If your a boater there is docking in the grand canal and close to fire island by boat or the Ferrys. I raised my kids here and loved it, the only draw back is the school district years ago it was full of diversity, not so much anymore probably somewhere around 80-90% of the students are from one race (not so diverse). With that said the district offers a good education and has many programs you just might want to learn how to speak spanish.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Brightwaters
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Brightwaters, Long Island sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Brightwaters, Long Island over the last 12 months is $941,309, up 19% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this charming Expanded Cape nestled in the heart of Brightwaters Village, offering the perfect blend of character and comfort. A welcoming rocking porch sets the tone, leading into a cozy entry foyer. Inside, you'll find a warm and inviting living room featuring a stunning floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, a formal dining room perfect for gatherings, and an eat-in kitchen with space to
This Property is a true diamond in the rough , offering endless potential for the right buyer or investor .The property is currently in shell form providing the flexbility to personalize every detail. Located in the desirable Brightwaters Village, It is a short distance from Vibrant and the lively Main Street, offering both serenity and convenince . With Its prime location for customization ,
Welcome to 174 S Windsor Avenue, a charming and spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in the heart of the highly desirable Village of Brightwaters. This 1,800 sq ft residence offers a perfect blend of classic character and modern convenience, featuring a bright and inviting living room, a formal dining room ideal for entertaining, and a sunroom that fills the home with natural light with and a
Outstanding location in historic Brightwaters Village. Bay Shore School District. Offering Studio and One Bedroom apartments in the village with great proximity to Brightwaters Lakes, taverns, restaurants, Windsor Park and the canals.Featuring newly updated beautiful Tuscany-style designer wood cabinetry with new stainless steel appliances including microwave and dishwasher. Granite and marble
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Megan Gardner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,133
Median Age
43
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$161,094
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$188,797
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.8%
College Graduates
61.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
37''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
