Located on Long Island’s South Shore just 6 miles from Westhampton, East Moriches has the kind of friendliness that is often found in books or movies set in small towns. “Sometimes we call this area the quiet Hamptons,” says Kevin Loiacono, a licensed real estate broker and the owner of BrookHampton Realty who has lived in the Moriches area for 24 years. When Loiacono moved into his first fixer-upper in the area, he recalls breaking a pipe under his sink on move-in day and calling East Moriches Hardware to discover the store had just closed. “The owner goes, ‘Alright, knock on the back door,’ and he waits for me,” Loiacono says. “And I rushed there as fast as I could, and he just hands me the tool. And I reach for my wallet, and I don’t have it with me. I literally forgot it running out the door. And this guy, who’s literally never met me before, he goes, ‘Catch up with me later.’ That’s the community service that you get in that area, the small-town friendliness. I’ve been friends with him ever since, and he’s just a really community-minded person. It’s just an example of what it’s like to live here.”
Rent a boat and go fishing at Silly Lily's, a neighborhood fixture in East Moriches..
East Moriches property sizes are known to be spacious.
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Boating on Moriches Bay and access to the Atlantic
With its curving, uneven coastline and abundance of marinas and fishing charters, the water is the star of the show here — and among the biggest reasons people move to town. According to Loiacono, boating and other water sports are major pastimes, and most residents have access to affordable boat slips even if they don’t live on the water. “We’re also close to the Moriches Inlet, so if you want to take your boat out into the ocean, it’s accessible,” he says. “And if you look at Long Island as a whole, there’s very few towns that have ocean access. So literally, it’s a boater’s paradise.” There’s even a U.S. Coast Guard station along the coast.
On land, Atlantic Avenue Park hosts the occasional baseball game or practice, and the nearby 263-acre Terrell River County Park has more than 2 miles of wooded hiking trails. Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they remain leashed. About 9 miles away, Quogue Wildlife Refuge is also a major draw thanks to its hiking paths and nature center, exhibits featuring native animals that can’t return to the wild due to injuries. “In the winter, you’d walk out into the trail, and you’d have some birdseed in your hands, and the birds would just come down and land on your hand and eat it,” says Joy Bryant, a licensed broker associate with Coldwell Banker American Homes who has sold homes here for nearly 30 years.
There are many boat put ints all around East Moriches like the Maple Avenue Dock.
You can also charter out a fishing boat out of Atlantic Cove in East Moriches.
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Private beach and boat slips from some East Moriches homes
Parts of East Moriches feel almost rural thanks to farms and vintage churches, but many of its colonial, ranch-style and Cape Cod homes sit next to each other in traditional suburban developments. Smaller, older homes built in the early 20th century could cost just under $500,000 if renovations are in order, but most inland homes cap out at around $1 million. Homes on the water climb higher, costing up to $2 million — a fraction of what they would cost just a few miles east in Westhampton.
East Moriches is also home to private waterfront communities like Newport Beach where homeowners have access to a private beach and boat slips. In these communities, even homeowners who aren’t perched right on the water have somewhere to keep their boats and are just a couple of minutes away from being on the water. “They’re nice neighborhoods, where you can go out and walk your dog, just walk to the beach,” Bryant says. “And some of them use golf carts to run down to the beach.” Thanks to a decent elevation, East Moriches’ waterfront homes don’t flood as often as those in other waterfront towns, but purchasing flood insurance is still an essential part of living on the water here. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Easy access to boating and dock slips in East Moriches.
Newport Beach is a lovely addition to a great neighborhood in East Moriches.
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Community gatherings, street fairs in Center Moriches
Private property owners associations often host community events, such as outdoor movie nights or gatherings with live music and food by the water. “Downtown Center Moriches is a bit of a cultural draw, and they do those street fairs,” Loiacono says. Locals often make the short drive, which is less than 2 miles, to Center Moriches for these street fairs or holiday parades. Westhampton is another popular destination for bigger events.
Centereach residents enjoy the Fall Festival.
Get your hands on the perfect pickle at the Centereach Fall Festival.
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Shopping and dining along Montauk Highway
East Moriches leans toward being a sleepier town, but a few restaurants and small businesses, including East Moriches Hardware, line Montauk Highway, which is the main thoroughfare of this car-dependent hamlet. Crust Around the Corner is the go-to spot for pizza in town, and Tony’s Sushi & Steakhouse is a hibachi restaurant that offers a fusion menu with Chinese, Japanese and Thai influences. Right on the water, ITA Kitchen Waterfront has both a parking lot for cars and a dock for boats, allowing locals to pull up on their boats after a day on the water. There’s also a large outdoor patio where diners can enjoy the breeze and views of the water while they eat.
East Moriches lacks a grocery store, but there’s a King Kullen just a couple of miles away in Center Moriches and in Eastport. These downtowns also offer additional shopping and dining, and Westhampton is just 6 miles away. “It’s also such an easy commute to go out to Riverhead and the Outlets when you’re in East Moriches; that’s probably 15 or 20 minutes from there,” says Lina Lopes, a licensed associate broker at Douglas Elliman who has lived and sold homes in the surrounding area for 34 years. “Even though you get the privacy and luxury of being in a quiet [community], not in the hustle and bustle, it’s still accessible to everything else.”
Center Moriches has the main commerce but East Moriches has a few shops.
ITA Kitchen in East Moriches has a lively bar scene.
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Extracurriculars at Center Moriches High
The East Moriches Union Free School District has an A from Niche. East Moriches Elementary School and East Moriches School, which serves as its middle school, each earn an A. When local children reach high school, they can elect to attend one of several nearby high schools, including Center Moriches High School. This school gets a B from Niche and offers extracurriculars like mock trial, jazz and book clubs.
This is the front of East Moriches School.
Center Moriches High School main entrance.
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Sunrise Highway, LIRR to Manhattan or Montauk
Sunrise Highway makes up East Moriches’ northern border, but the biggest roads that run through the town itself are Montauk Highway and Moriches Bypass. There are six churches in the hamlet, mostly located off of one of these major roads. Commuters looking to catch a train on the Long Island Rail Road either drive to the Speonk or Mastic-Shirley stations. From Mastic-Shirley Station, it takes an hour and 50 minutes to reach Manhattan’s Penn Station and an hour and a half to reach Montauk Station. Francis S. Gabreski Airport is just under 10 miles away.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Costa
Video By
Chris Norton
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in East Moriches, NY sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 69 days. The median sale price for homes in East Moriches, NY over the last 12 months is $790,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this unique opportunity to own in one of East Moriches' most desirable neighborhoods. Nestled on just over a half-acre of private property, this 2,500-square-foot home offers a rare blend of space, character, and, lifestyle. Featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 1.5 baths, this home boasts soaring cathedral ceilings and a bright, open-concept layout for entertaining. A cozy indoor
Four Seasons Waterfront Living with Style & SpaceWelcome to Villas on the Bay-where every day begins with a view. This freshly painted upper-level condo offers three bedrooms and three full baths, with some of the best water views in the community. Overlooking scenic Harts Cove, Moriches Bay, and stretching toward Dune Road and the Atlantic Ocean, the natural beauty here is unforgettable.
Welcome to 21 Inlet View Path—set on nearly two acres in the desirable Baywoods Estates, this idyllic property offers space, privacy, and stylish updates! Offering 5-6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 2 half-baths and 4000 +|- SF of living space. Thoughtfully & tastefully designed, the main level features a brand new gourmet chef's kitchen with Sub-zero fridge and Wolf induction stove, dramatic living
Exceptional New Construction on a Full Acre in East Moriches.Built with uncompromising craftsmanship and top-quality materials, this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers refined living in a peaceful setting. Designed with attention to every detail, it features 11 zones of radiant heat that include the basement and garage areas, Andersen 400 Series windows, and a custom mahogany front
Immaculate, move-in ready ranch just steps from Newport Beach! This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home features a brand-new kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and subway tile backsplash. Enjoy hardwood floors throughout, soaring cathedral ceilings, and an open layout perfect for entertaining.Oversized windows flood the home with natural light, and
Welcome to 9 Shaw Lane—an impeccably crafted 2023 custom home tucked away on a private cul-de-sac in the highly regarded East Moriches School District. This move-in ready 4-bedroom, 3-bath residence features 9-foot ceilings, a formal dining room, and a sunlit living area anchored by a beautiful fireplace. Andersen 400 Series windows with built-in UV protection provide exceptional comfort, energy
Welcome to this newly renovated exclusive 55+ luxury rental community where sophistication meets comfort. Experience the elegance of spaciously designed 1 and 2-bedroom apartment homes, nestled in a serene setting with every conceivable amenity, including private fitness center, outdoor pool, pickle-ball and tennis courts, abundant patio and lounge areas, meticulously maintained landscaping and
Maida SrdanovicCompass Greater NY LLC
$3,000 per month
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,276 Sq Ft
Welcome to this newly renovated exclusive 55+ luxury rental community where sophistication meets comfort. Experience the elegance of spaciously designed 1 and 2-bedroom apartment homes, nestled in a serene setting with every conceivable amenity, including private fitness center, outdoor pool, pickle-ball and tennis courts, abundant patio and lounge areas, meticulously maintained landscaping and
Maida SrdanovicCompass Greater NY LLC
$3,200 per month
1 Bed
1 Bath
1,000 Sq Ft
Welcome to this newly renovated exclusive 55+ luxury rental community where sophistication meets comfort. Experience the elegance of spaciously designed 1 and 2-bedroom apartment homes, nestled in a serene setting with every conceivable amenity, including private fitness center, outdoor pool, pickle-ball and tennis courts, abundant patio and lounge areas, meticulously maintained landscaping and
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
