Belle Terre offers privacy on Long Island’s North Shore
A French-inspired gatehouse welcomes residents to Belle Terre, a prestigious residential enclave on the North Shore of Long Island. “It was originally established in the early 1900s by a gentleman named Dean Alvord who was trying to create a vacation community for city dwellers,” says Alexia Poulos, a Realtor with Douglas Elliman who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Though Belle Terre is now a year-round community of roughly 800 people, Alvord’s vision lives on among its quiet, tree-lined streets. “It truly feels like you’re in the country. We have an abundance of wildlife. There are breeding bald eagles, lots of owls and turkeys,” Poulos says. Residents feel wonderfully secluded, but they’re still within reach of neighboring Port Jefferson and New York City, roughly 65 miles away. “People get the best of both worlds. They come home and have this natural private retreat, but they’re still in an urban area of Long Island,” Poulos says.
Many of the homes in Belle Terre have a terrific view of Long Island Sound.
Cliffside homes overlook the beach in Belle Terre.
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Community has English-style homes, space and waterfront views
Homes sit back from winding roads on spacious, wooded lots. “It’s a minimum of one-acre zoning, so it’s very quiet and private,” Poulos says. A variety of architectural styles reflect Belle Terre's development over time. “In the English section, there are over a dozen Tudor-style homes from the early 1900s. Then there were construction surges in the 1960s and ‘80s, and recently, we’ve had complete renovations or homes being demolished so newer, larger homes can be built,” Poulos says. Prices typically range from $710,000 for smaller ranch-style builds to $2 million for larger waterfront properties, though some estates can fetch over $10 million.
While Belle Terre is on a peninsula, it offers waterfront views without the accompanying risk of flooding. “Homes are anywhere from 15 to 150 feet above sea level, so there’s a degree of security that comes with having this waterfront community, but not having concerns of flooding,” Poulos says. An extensive code book helps preserve Belle Terre’s residential character. Street parking is not allowed, and trash is collected on residents’ property instead of at the curb. Village constables patrol around the clock, and strict ordinances govern noise, building and zoning.
Here is another beautiful mansion, just seconds from McAllister Park in Belle Terre.
Many people choose to live in Belle Terre for the beautiful mansions that overlook the sound.
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Outdoor destinations include Belle Terre Park and Pirate's Cove
Residents have exclusive access to John W. Sheila Knapp Beach, a secluded spot for sunbathing, picnicking and watching the sunset over the water. The beach includes restrooms, outdoor showers, and racks for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. Belle Terre Park offers a pickleball court, paved walking path and a playground for kids. It also hosts community events such as an annual resident party and Easter egg hunt. Additional festivities take place throughout the year at the Belle Terre Community Center.
The 113-acre McAllister County Park sits at the tip of Mt. Misery, where sand dunes surround Pirate’s Cove. “That’s one of the hot spots for locals as far as hanging out on the sand and watching the ferry go by,” says Joseph Maselli, broker and owner of Joe Maselli Real Estate. Outside the village, residents can head to Port Jefferson for public beaches, a private yacht club and year-round recreation at Harborfront Park.
Sail away at McAllister County Park.
This Belle Terre couple knows how to relax on a summer afternoon.
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Students may attend well-rated Port Jefferson School District
The Port Jefferson School District earns an overall grade of A from Niche and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. Edna Louise Spear Elementary School scores an A-minus, while Port Jefferson Middle School and Earl L. Vandermeulen High School both receive an A. The high school is a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School, and it was honored as a School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association during the 2024-25 school year for its academic achievements among student athletes. Private schools include The Stony Brook School, a college preparatory boarding and day school with an A-plus from Niche. It’s also near Stony Brook University and Stony Brook University Hospital.
This is the main entrance to Port Jefferson Middle School.
NID 507959 The Stony Brook School is a private college prep school off Route 25a.
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Downtown Port Jefferson offers shopping and dining close to home
It’s less than 2 miles to downtown Port Jefferson. “That’s a big community hub for shopping, restaurants…. everything you could imagine,” Maselli says. “It’s all walkable, and it’s like a port town because that’s where the Bridgeport ferry comes in.” The shorefront hub features a host of local businesses, from nautical-themed gift shops to trendy boutiques. Restaurants range from upscale coastal favorites like Black Pearl Seafood Chophouse to casual spots such as Slurp Ramen, known for its traditional Japanese flavors. A mix of coffee shops, bars and bakeries rounds out downtown’s dining scene.
Theatre Three is a go-to spot for entertainment, hosting several mainstage performances each year. Downtown takes a step back into the Victorian era during the annual Charles Dickens Festival, a celebration of all things Christmas held the first weekend in December. For errands, Station Plaza is less than 4 miles from Belle Terre and has ShopRite, Staples and T.J. Maxx.
Belle Terre residents grab a pint or two at Port Jefferson Brewing.
Southdown Coffee in Port Jefferson near Belle Terre is a new coffee shop with several locations.
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Commuters have access to Long Island Expressway, train and ferry
Residents can drive or take public transportation to New York City. The drive is about 65 miles via the Long Island Expressway, while the train ride takes nearly two and a half hours from Port Jefferson Station to Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. Port Jefferson Station is about 2 miles away and is the eastern terminus of the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson Branch. For those heading to Connecticut, the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry offers passenger service across the Long Island Sound. Mather Hospital is just over 2 miles away.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Video By
Antoine Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Acierno,
an experienced agent in this area.
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