New parks and schools in suburbs off the Southern State Parkway
Roosevelt is a hamlet defined by reinvention and growth. At the turn of the 20th century, the woodsy developing village offshoot of Hempstead was renamed from Rum Point to its current name in honor of the 26th president. In recent years, waves of private renovation on older properties and public facility upgrades have improved streetscapes and community life for modern suburban residents. “If someone was in Roosevelt 15 years ago and was to come back now and drive through Roosevelt, it would be almost unidentifiable to that person,” says Natasha Maraj-Ramdhanie, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who lives in Roosevelt. “Roosevelt is becoming an up-and-coming town, helped by a low property tax.” Roosevelt’s recently renovated parks, new public school buildings and active public library connect the multicultural suburban community settled at the crux of two major Long Island parkways.
Enjoy a morning brisk walk at Reverend Arthur Mackey Sr Park.
Washington-Rose Elementary has 673 students in grades PK, K-6.
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Move-in ready midcentury homes from $390,000 in Roosevelt
Suburban residential blocks make up the bulk of Roosevelt, dominated by midcentury starter homes like Cape Cods, split-levels and ranch-style homes that mingle with simple prewar styles like bungalows and National houses. Move-in ready homes with three or fewer bedrooms sell for $390,000 to $700,000. Similar homes with four or more bedrooms, as well as a handful of New Traditional houses that replaced older homes in the past few decades, sell for $530,000 to $950,000. “Roosevelt is a very active market. You see a lot of new people moving in, and you also see people flipping properties. It’s up and coming, we’re starting to see a lot of transactions,” says Damien Coleman, a broker with Dac Properties Corp who specializes throughout Nassau County. While renovation levels vary throughout the hamlet, grassy front lawns, shady trees and extensive sidewalks are present throughout its many blocks and short, winding cul-de-sacs.
New traditional homes in Roosevelt offers residents a suburban feel.
Large split-level homes are a popular choice in Roosevelt.
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Attending rebuilt Roosevelt Union Free schools
Most students in Roosevelt attend the Roosevelt Union Free School District. “The Roosevelt school system has changed tremendously. All the schools were rebuilt in the last 12 years,” Maraj-Ramdhanie says. Kids will attend one of three new elementary schools, including Ulysses Byas Elementary which earns a C from Niche. Roosevelt Middle School earns a C-minus and Roosevelt High School earns a C. Small portions of Roosevelt are zoned for either the Baldwin Union Free School District, which earns an A overall, or the Freeport Union Free School District which earns a B-minus.
Ulysses Byas Elementary School offers plenty of AP and Honors courses.
The student population of Centennial Avenue Elementary School is 499.
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Driving on the Southern State and Meadowbrook parkways
The Southern State Parkway and Meadowbrook Parkway meet in Roosevelt, making up its northern and eastern borders. Commuters hop onto the Southern State on the roughly 30-mile drive to Manhattan. Nassau Inter-County Express buses make stops on Nassau Road and Babylon Turnpike. Train riders head to the Freeport Long Island Rail Road Station for a 45-minute trip to Penn Station. Commercial flights take off from John F. Kennedy International Airport about 13 miles away.
Athletic courts and swans at Reverend Arthur Mackey Sr. Park
Small community parks sit throughout Roosevelt. Reverend Arthur Mackey Sr. Park positions well-kept basketball and tennis courts next to a tree-shaded playground and splash park. Away from athletic courts, visitors can look out for geese and swans paddling around the banks of Smith Pond. Centennial Park was upgraded in recent years, filling the block between Centennial and Fulton avenues with a colorful playground, rows of picnic pavilions and basketball courts and the neatly ordered plots of the Roosevelt Community Garden. The Roosevelt Rough Riders Youth Football & Cheer leagues host practices and an annual trunk or treat at Henry Street Park, where a grassy field also accommodates youth soccer. Lifeguards watch over the Roosevelt Pool through the warmer months.
Enjoy a morning brisk walk at Reverend Arthur Mackey Sr Park.
Play a round of tennis at Reverend Arthur Mackey Sr Park.
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Events at Roosevelt Public Library
At the Roosevelt Public Library, regular cooking and craft classes might draw a couple of dozen participants. Hundreds attend larger events, most notably concerts that span global genres. Bands playing jazz, reggae and Latin music fill the library’s auditorium during the colder months but move outdoors when the weather permits. Several churches and a masjid hold regular religious services, some of which also host community outreach events. Memorial Presbyterian Church holds health drives, houses a food pantry and puts on family fun fairs outside of regular masses.
Feeling the holiday cheer at Roosevelt Public Library.
In Roosevelt can enjoy a quiet pastime at the Roosevelt Public Library.
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Shopping and dining on Nassau Road
Cars pass strip malls and standalone businesses lining Nassau Road, ranging from gas stations to barber shops and specialty retailers. Shoppers stop into Western Beef Supermarket down the sidewalk from Roosevelt’s Harmony Healthcare Long Island medical center. Restaurants are typically small, fast-casual establishments, serving diners global cuisines at a handful of tables and passing takeout containers over the counter. Tropical Jerk is a favorite for Jamaican staples like oxtails and jerk chicken, and Honduran cuisine draws foodies to La Fonda Deli.
A common market in Roosevelt is Gala Market.
Starbucks that resides in Target is a great stop for shoppers from Roosevelt.
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Crime
The hamlet of Roosevelt represents a small segment of the Town of Hempstead, population of 788,000. State reports show that Hempstead Village Police reported 952 total crimes in the township in 2022, of which 308 were violent. Roosevelt received a crime score of 4 out of 10 on the CAP Index, which is on par with the national average.
Jessica Melendez is a powerhouse real estate broker with over 15 years of experience, known for her strategic thinking, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to her clients. Licensed in both NYC and Westchester County, she represents sellers, buyers, landlords, and investors with a personalized, results-driven approach that combines industry expertise with genuine care.
What sets Jessica apart is her ability to think outside the box. From innovative marketing strategies to expert negotiation, she goes above and beyond to ensure every transaction is smooth, transparent, and successful. Her clients appreciate her ability to explain the process clearly, advocate fiercely on their behalf, and remain a steady guide from start to finish.
Jessica is also the founder of The Garment Team at eXp Realty—a Christian-centered team focused on mentorship, professional growth, and serving clients with excellence and integrity. A portion of every transaction funds The Garment Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to community outreach and housing assistance, including broker fee support, down payment help, and seller pre-market repairs.
Rooted in faith and driven by purpose, Jessica sees her work as more than just real estate—it's a calling to impact lives, build trust, and be a light in the industry.
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