Nissequogue

Over nine years after the Second World War, more homes were constructed on Long Island than in Boston during the city's history. There was, however, no such housing boom on the island's north shore in the Village of Nissequogue. Here, the current population is about 1,600, nearly nine times higher than in the 1930s. In an area with a landmass of 3.8 square miles, that amounts to fewer than 410 people per square mile. Compare that to Stony Brook, Nissequogue's neighbor to the east packs nearly 2,500 inhabitants in a square mile. It's not lost on the locals that they live in a rural community; it's the exact vibe they signed up for. "This is where people come when they're looking for that small community feel," says Karen Roth, licensed associate broker with RE/MAX Integrity Leaders.

In Stony Brook's defense, the town is also home to a university and a large teaching hospital. These amenities fare well for Nissequogue residents because it creates numerous opportunities, from jobs to medical professionals, shopping and restaurants, all of which are crucial for modern living. But you won't find any goods, industries or services providers in Nissequogue. It's 100% residential. These conditions are even written into the village's by-laws.

One thing that's striking about Nissequogue is residential lot sizes. All houses sit on hundreds of feet of property, if not multiple acres. These land use requirements and permits are also enforced by the village.

Nissequogue is surrounded on three sides by water: Stony Brook Harbor, Nissequogue River and the Long Island Sound. Since waterfront property and water views typically demand higher price tags, it shouldn't be a surprise that the village is home to some of the highest real estate prices west of the Hamptons. But unlike the eastern end of Long Island, Nissequogue is primarily a year-round community. While no such terms exist in the village's by-laws, they are written in a way that encourages engagement from permanent residents, not renters or weekend warriors.

On average, real estate prices range from about $1 to $2 million, but there are outliers. Homebuyers on a budget can find a fixer-upper, or even a home beyond repair that you can raze and rebuild, anywhere from $550,000 to $900,000. The variety of housing options in Nissequogue is simply stunning. While there are just over 500 homes in the village, practically every style is represented, from bungalows to colonials, farm ranches, federal-style estates and contemporary designs that blend numerous architectural methodologies.

Roughly one-third of the families living in Nissequogue have children under 18. While many attend local private institutions, like The Knox School, Harbor Country Day School and Saint Patrick's School for elementary and middle school students, the Town of Smithtown is served by Smithtown Central School District, a highly rated public school district ranked 11th best district in Suffolk County by Niche. Part of the district is Saint James Elementary School, which ranks nine out of 10 for test scores, according to GreatSchools. The middle and high schools also get As from Niche.

There are two main beaches on the north shore. Short Beach is only open to residents, while Long Beach Town Park, on the peninsula next to the private Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, has plenty of parking and can get crowded on weekends. The tennis courts, clubhouse and golf course at Nissequogue Golf Club provide plenty of opportunities for locals from all over the Smithtown area to socialize and celebrate holidays and milestones. The David Weld Sanctuary is a popular nature preserve in this neck of the woods. Hikers can trek to the beach or a bluff with 50-foot-high views of the Sound.

For food and shopping, Nissequogue residents must leave the village. Still, it's a short drive to Whole Foods, Del Fuego on North Country Road, coffee shops, bakeries and supermarkets near the Long Island Rail Road's St. James depot on Lake Road. The Smith Haven Mall has dozens of boutiques and eateries, but in the summer of 2023, says Roth, NYU Langone Health is having a ribbon cutting at two shuttered department stores and converting them into brand-new medical facilities.

"Nisseguoque is a tight-knit community," adds Roth, who specializes in residential real estate from Montauk to Queens. "Everybody knows everybody, from your white-collar neighbor to the captain of the fire department."

Written By

Riki Markowitz

Photography Contributed By

J. Michael DeMeo

Video By

Stewart Taveras