Wyandanch

Two words that sum up Wyandanch’s spirit are resilient and enthusiastic. Barely more than a decade ago, the Babylon, Long Island, community was down on its luck. But was it out of the game? Not a chance. Since before 2013, town leaders have been working on a revitalization effort, eventually bringing thousands of square feet of housing, retail and office space to a neighborhood formerly known for being an economic blight. “Slowly but surely, Wyandanch is recovering its footing,” says Edmond Ryan, owner of Ed Ryan Real Estate Group in Islip. “It’s going through an incredible resurgence right now.”

Since Wyandanch is still in a state of growth, residential real estate costs are favorable to homebuyers who are looking for a good deal. Like a lot of neighborhoods in the middle of Long Island, Wyandanch experienced a housing boom after World War II, when towns on the south and north shores of the island were approaching population density and real estate costs were going up. In a sense, the community is an exurb of Suffolk County towns like Bay Shore, Babylon and Lindenhurst. Most of the housing stock in Wyandanch consists of hi-ranch, colonial and Cape Cod-style homes, ranging from $350,000 to $500,000. However, several new homes are under construction and prices start at nearly $575,000.

There are three public schools in Wyandanch. Teachers at La Francis Hardiman Elementary School earned a B rating from Niche. The website GreatSchools gave Milton L. Olive Middle School an eight out of 10 for student progress. Every year, Wyandanch Memorial High School hosts a college fair that’s attended by dozens of representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools and branches of the military. The school also invites Suffolk Community College to present students with a financial aid seminar.

“It’s been great watching Wyandanch blossom,” says Ryan, a licensed real estate broker. “They’re in the process of sprucing up downtown and entrepreneurs are opening restaurants and retail stores on the ground floor of Wyandanch Village.” One of those eateries is Island Jerk, which serves Caribbean cuisine, such as a curry chicken plate with rice and plantains and oxtails with boiled dumplings.

Less than 2 miles away is a large supermarket, ShopRite of Deer Park. And 3 miles from Wyandanch is the Tanger Outlets of Deer Park, a large outlet mall with scores of national retail stores and restaurants, including Old Navy Outlet, Dick's Sporting Goods Warehouse and restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill. There’s also a movie theater.

It’s no coincidence that Wyandanch Village was built next to the Long Island Rail Road. Town leaders wanted to make it easy for locals to commute to and from New York City boroughs. The renovated train station has an overpass with elevators linking the east and westbound platforms. It takes only an hour to get from Wyandanch to Penn Station in Manhattan.

In the center of Wyandanch Village is a pedestrian park and ice-skating rink. In the winter, The Rinx hosts various events, including an annual holiday show, as well as special fundraisers. Throughout the year, locals flock to the grassy plaza to meet friends, walk their dogs and watch the kids enjoy a day in the sun. Wyandanch Park, on the south side of the neighborhood, hosts events like “Wyandanch Family Day,” featuring a parade and vendors. It’s also a great chance for local residents to meet community leaders. During the dog days of summer, kids can cool down on the splash pad at Geiger Park. It’s also a quick drive over the Great South Bay Bridge to Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island — about 12 miles from Wyandanch.

Since Wyandanch Village opened, the neighborhood has seen an influx of residents, from young professionals to tradespeople and grandparents, which has spurred new housing and infrastructure projects. The revitalization effort has been like a rising tide for the entire community.

Written By

Riki Markowitz

Photography Contributed By

Perez Folds

Video By

Stewart Taveras