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East Islip

East Islip

Suburban Neighborhood in Long Island, New York

Suffolk County 11730

Neighborhood Reviews
3.9
$797,086 Average Value
$417 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale

Waterfront hamlet with community at the forefront

Once home to a handful of wealthy homeowners and their estates, today’s East Islip is the picture of suburbia. Located on Long Island’s South Shore about 53 miles from Manhattan, it’s a safe assumption that life here is defined by the water. While it certainly draws boaters and water lovers, the waterfront isn’t what makes people fall in love with the place. “The idea of having a community is the No. 1 reason why people love East Islip,” says Margaret Smith, an associate broker at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty who has been selling homes here for over 30 years. “You’ve got a lot of community events, whether it be through Heckscher Park, whether it be through the marina.” This sense of community is also fed by the number of people who are out and about every day. Even though many of its residential streets lack sidewalks, it’s the kind of neighborhood where people are often out and about — walking their dogs and going for early morning runs or afternoon walks with a little one in a stroller. Once people experience this community-focused vibe, Smith says, they tend to stay. “Whether they’re going to bigger spaces or they’ve been in a bigger house and they want to scale down, they tend to house-hop to accommodate their needs at different points in their lives,” she says. “Just the thought that people want to stay there and either upsize or downsize shows what the community is all about.”

East Islip has many gorgeous waterfront homes.
East Islip has many gorgeous waterfront homes.
Take a walk through the wonderful streets of East Islip.
Take a walk through the wonderful streets of East Islip.
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Town beach and marina at East Islip Marina Park, nearby hiking

East Islip Marina Park has a marina and a little town beach alongside soccer and baseball fields. Larger inland parks nearby mean that deer can sometimes be spotted in the little park, too. Other marinas are dotted along the water, including along the creek that stretches inland and breaks up into a row of lakes. On one of these lakes, Brookwood Hall Park is a peaceful spot. Ducks, geese and swans call the lake home, and the water is ringed by walking paths and benches where people can observe the park’s nature or other visitors. There’s also a large playground with a rubberized play surface and tennis courts. If the weather takes a turn, the park has an indoor recreation center and the Islip Art Museum is right across from the playground. The South Shore Nature Center offers 200 acres full of hiking trails, and just outside the neighborhood, Heckscher State Park has even more hiking alongside amenities like a campground, disc golf course and boat launches. East Islip’s marinas and access to the water draw boaters. According to Trish Bergin, a licensed real estate salesperson at Signature Premier Properties who lives in East Islip and has sold homes there for six years, many boaters head across the Great South Bay to enjoy Fire Island’s oceanfront beaches, shops and restaurants. For those who don’t own boats of their own, it’s about a 4-mile drive to the Fire Island ferry terminal in Bay Shore, which reaches Saltaire or Fair Harbor in about 30 minutes. In the other direction, it’s an 8-mile drive to the Sayville ferry station, which goes to the Pines and Cherry Grove.

Play some pickleball at Brookwood Hall Park in nearby Islip.
Play some pickleball at Brookwood Hall Park in nearby Islip.
Launch your boat and set sail from East Islip Marina.
Launch your boat and set sail from East Islip Marina.
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East Islip homes start around $500,000

Homes here vary from smaller Cape Cods and ranch-style homes to larger split-levels, new traditionals and colonials. The neighborhood has a good mix of traditional suburban subdivisions and gated communities. “Some communities also have their own marinas, tennis courts, basketball opportunities,” Bergin says. Homes north of Timber Point Road tend to be a little less expensive, potentially because they are further from the water and there are fewer gated communities. These homes typically cost between $500,000 and $800,000. Homes toward the south start closer to $650,000 and typically max out at around $1.1 million if they don’t have direct waterfront access, although some large newer homes can climb higher than this. Waterfront homes can reach $2.5 million and often have private docks where owners can dock their boats or launch kayaks. Like many waterfront communities, East Islip is prone to flooding. Even bad rainstorms can cause roads and basements to flood; in July 2023, a major storm did just that, dumping 5 inches of rain in just the first two hours. Hurricane season can lead to flooding and wind damage. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.

A cozy Cape Cod home in East Islip.
A cozy Cape Cod home in East Islip.
Colonial style homes line the streets of East Islip.
Colonial style homes line the streets of East Islip.
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Annual run benefits EJ Autism Foundation

East Islip throws quite a few community events, from get-togethers at East Islip Marina Park to neighborhood parties where subdivisions close down a street and bring in food and blow-up bouncy houses for the kids. Some subdivisions, Smith says, even arrange little Halloween parades. One of the neighborhood’s biggest yearly events, though, is the EJ Autism Jigsaw Run. “To me, the first time I did it, it blew me away, which got me involved in the whole organization,” Smith says. “The people come out and they’re giving water to the runners that are going by. It’s amazing what people in the community actually set up with the EJ Autism Foundation, whether it’s an Elvis impersonator or just somebody who’s into music setting up a stand on one of the corners. It’s a whole community event that so many different branches of the community come together to support.” Nearby the Heckscher State Park is another major source for regular community events. It’s particularly popular for its summer concert series.

Restaurants along Montauk Highway, Carleton Avenue

East Islip has a punchy downtown strip along Montauk Highway, lined with restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and pubs. Carleton Avenue also has a more spread-out selection of restaurants and shops, including a tattoo parlor called Tattoo Maven. For early birds, Hometown Café is a small diner with a wood bar and vintage black leather and chrome stools. It’s open most days for breakfast and lunch. Vinnie’s Mulberry Street serves brick oven pizzas and classic Italian dishes. Smith and Bergin both agree that Bayview Clam & Grill, which sits right on the water, is among the neighborhood’s most popular spots during the warm months. “They always have live entertainment, a little acoustic band, clams on a half shell, a glass of white wine and a sunset,” Bergin says. The Bayway Arts Center hosts concerts — mostly tribute shows to famous artists. East Islip Lanes hosts bowling leagues, and on Saturday nights its “Rock N Glow Bowl” features music and laser lights starting at 10:30 p.m. There are just handful of major retailers in East Islip, including Marshalls and Staples. Groceries are at Stop & Shop or Pats Marketplace. From June through November, there’s a farmers market just outside the neighborhood in the Islip Town Hall parking lot every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. The market offers fresh produce alongside locally made bread and pastries, ravioli, ice cream and more.

Enjoy a meal on the tropical patio of Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille in East Islip.
Enjoy a meal on the tropical patio of Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille in East Islip.
Have some seafood by the water at Bayside Clam and Grill in East Islip.
Have some seafood by the water at Bayside Clam and Grill in East Islip.
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Sports, music and art in East Islip schools

The East Islip Union Free School District has an A-minus from Niche and is known for its music, theater and arts programs. In 2023, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognized the district by awarding it one of its Best Communities for Music Education awards. Children attend Timber Point Elementary School from pre-kindergarten through second grade and John F. Kennedy Elementary School from third grade through fifth grade. Both schools earn a B-plus. They then move on to East Islip Middle School, which has an A-minus. In 2024, students in the middle school’s Technology Club volunteered time before and after school to build new benches for their school. East Islip High School also earns an A-minus, and its softball team received postseason honors from the state and county in 2024 after reaching the Suffolk County Final.

Timber Point Elementary School has 345 students enrolled.
Timber Point Elementary School has 345 students enrolled.
East Islip Middle School is highly rated and teaches students in grades 6-8.
East Islip Middle School is highly rated and teaches students in grades 6-8.
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Major highways, nearby LIRR stations to Manhattan

Montauk Highway serves as East Islip’s main thoroughfare, but Heckscher State Parkway and Sunrise Highway also run along the neighborhood’s borders. There are three Long Island Railroad stations nearby. Central Islip and Great River are the closest and run the Montauk Branch line. The Central Islip station, serviced by the Ronkonkoma Branch, is about 4 miles north. All three stations bring commuters to Manhattan’s Penn Station in about an hour and 15 minutes.

The Great River LIRR station is shared by the surrounding areas including East Islip.
The Great River LIRR station is shared by the surrounding areas including East Islip.
Catch a train from the nearby Islip LIRR station.
Catch a train from the nearby Islip LIRR station.
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Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood
Jake Gold
Photography Contributed By
Jake Gold
Jacob Cooperman
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Jacob Cooperman

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Trish Bergin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Long Island MacArthur

17 min drive

Train

Great River Station

Bus

Montauk HWY & Rose Ct

Bus

Montauk HWY & Marilynn St

Bus

Montauk HWY & Alan St

Bus

Carleton Ave & Montauk HWY

Bus

Montauk HWY & William Ave

Bus

Montauk HWY & Matinecock Ave

Bus

Montauk HWY & Sommerset Ave

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.9 29 Reviews
4.0 Niche User
6/27/2016 Niche Review
variety of big box plus small stores- food plenty of fast food all the way to high end restaurants to choose from
5.0 Current Resident
1/11/2017 Niche Review
East islip is great, it's close to everything and the neighbor is good. The only problem is it'd very expensive to live there.
4.0 Former Resident
8/24/2017 Niche Review
Overall a great place to live...great school district and local parks. Nice variety of restaurants. Four stars instead of five bc there have been some failed businesses leaving empty store fronts within the last few years.
4.0 Current Resident
5/22/2018 Niche Review
I've lived in East Islip my whole life and I love it here. The highlight definitely has to be the schools, and the whole town is very family-oriented.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime East Islip 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

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$649,000
Median Single Family Price
$680,000
Median Townhouse Price
$244,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$310,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$246,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$417
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
93
Months of Supply
1.20
Median List Price
$649,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,413
Median Year Built
1981
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,714
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,015
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
983
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
850
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
14,157

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    12 - 2pm

    24 the Keel, East Islip, NY 11730

    $1,895,000

    • 5 Beds
    • 4.5 Baths
    • 5,000 Sq Ft
    • 24 the Keel

    Experience the ultimate in privacy and luxury within "The Moorings," a prestigious 24/7 gated community. This exceptional property features 200 feet of bulkhead with a boat lift. Beyond the home itself, the community is a haven for water lovers- access to boating, fishing and a quick ride to Fire Island! Step inside to a bright and airy open floor plan filled with natural light and breathtaking

    Darren Sebor Howard Hanna Coach

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Trish Bergin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
13,067
Median Age
43
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$133,457
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$156,548

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.9%
Advanced Degrees
16.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
37''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

63 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
East Islip