East Norwich

Curled around the southern portion of Oyster Bay, East Norwich’s ideal location makes it a special place to live. “It’s very convenient, not too far from Northern Boulevard,” says Laura Page, a licensed real estate salesperson who has lived in East Norwich for well over 40 years. “You can get to any main highway, you can go east or west, north or south and you’ve got your shopping. Or you can be on the main road going into the city or going down to the island. It's convenient.” Residents who prefer to commute to New York City on the train also find that they have options. They can drive just over 2 miles to Oyster Bay Station, where the train takes an hour and 20 minutes to get to Pennsylvania Station, or drive less than 4 miles to catch the express train at Syosset Station, a move that cuts the trip down to 55 minutes. Beyond the convenience of getting around, East Norwich is surrounded by entertainment options. “There’s great restaurants and the beach, and we have Teddy Roosevelt Beach and Park in Oyster Bay,” Page says. “It’s just lovely in the summertime.”

Beyond its convenience and proximity to nearby beaches, shopping and dining, another major draw to East Norwich is its comparative affordability. The hamlet is surrounded by affluent areas where it’s not uncommon for entry-level homes to sell for $1.5 million, but that price tag is closer to the upper range of home costs in East Norwich. Taxes are likewise less expensive in East Norwich than they are in many of the surrounding villages. If you’re really lucky, you may find a fixer-upper in the range of $600,000 or $700,000, though Page says that most homes fall between $800,000 and $1 million. Some large houses, often with extra features like private in-ground pools, can cost up to $1.7 million. Although it’s an outlier, one 5,200-square-foot new construction was listed in East Norwich for $2.8 million. According to Page, low inventory and high demand have led to a lot of competition when it comes to buying a house. “When you go to an open house these days, you're waiting in line to get in,” Page says. Being aware of this competition can help equip potential homebuyers to take the steps they need to secure their new home.

East Norwich is served by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District, which has an A rating on Niche and is relatively small. These factors both serve as draws to the community for many residents. “The graduating class is about 100 students, which is low,” Page says. “Syosset’s school graduates maybe 400 or 500 kids, Jericho the same thing. But here, it’s like a private school. There are maybe 18 or 20 kids at the most to a class. And they have a really good program for autistic children in the lower schools. My children went there, I have grandchildren who went to Oyster Bay and two nephews who have gone there, and everyone has done so well.” Children in East Norwich attend Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, James H. Vernon School and Oyster Bay High School. The high school serves students from seventh to 12th grade and offers students the chance to participate in a wide range of sports, including fencing. An Oyster Bay High School student even won the 2023 Nassau County Fencing Championship—her second time doing so.

Some residents choose to join Pine Hollow Club for access to amenities like an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and fine dining. Even without a club membership, though, residents have plenty of entertainment and dining options close to home. “With the convenience of being close to highways, close to shopping, close to restaurants and the beach, there's just a lot to do,” Page says. East Norwich has several small outlets with boutiques, beauty salons, restaurants and more. When they’re hungry, residents enjoy sitting down for a gyro at Greek Cove or an Italian meal at Angelina’s, a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving the community for over 35 years. “One of my favorite restaurants is Angelina's,” Page says. “They've been here probably as long as I've been here. They’re great, the food is great and the people who work there are great. The owners, too, I love them.” Residents can also treat themselves to an upscale meal at Rothmann’s Steak House, which once hosted Theodore Roosevelt, and round off their meal with a sweet treat from Dortini Bakery. Grabbing groceries to cook dinner at home is also easy, as residents can choose to shop at Christina’s Epicure, a gourmet grocery store, or drive just outside of the neighborhood to Oyster Bay’s Stop & Shop. When they want more excitement or even more dining options, Oyster Bay’s abundance of shops and restaurants, as well as its park and beach, are about 2 miles away. East Norwich’s location, comparative affordability and great schools make it an ideal place for many to buy a home and begin to put down roots.

Written By

Christina Norwood

Photography Contributed By

Perez Folds

Video By

Syd Silberman