Lake Ronkonkoma

Lake Ronkonkoma is the largest and deepest freshwater lake on Long Island and borders (but is not within the boundaries of) the neighborhood of the same name. In the early 1900s, the area was a popular summer resort for wealthy New Yorkers. During the winter, the frozen lake provided endless hours of adventure for local children. They gathered on the icy surface to play adventurous games like Crack the Whip. Competitors grasped hands and "whip" around the ice as fast as possible. The purpose of the game is for players to stay on their feet and keep the line from fracturing.

Todd Yovino, a licensed real estate broker and owner of Island Advantage Realty in Suffolk and Nassau counties, says that many homebuyers move to Lake Ronkonkoma because it offers some of the most convenient mass transit options on the island. North and south shore neighborhoods have beaches, golf courses and vineyards. But residential real estate in those neighborhoods tend to come with higher price tags. “One of the perks of living in mid-island communities like Lake Ronkonkoma is that if you work in Manhattan, you can shorten your commute by about 10 hours a week,” says Yovino. Interstate 495, better known as the Long Island Expressway (or the LIE), runs through the southern portion of the neighborhood and the Ronkonkoma branch of the Long Island Rail Road and the regional MacArthur Airport is located on the southern border. The LIRR Ronkonkoma station is one of the busiest on the island. It takes less than 90 minutes to get to Grand Central Terminal, which is pretty fast considering that legs originating from stations closer to the city are10 to 15 minutes longer. Karen Roth, a licensed associate broker with RE/MAX Integrity Leaders, says that commuters who leave from the Ronkonkoma station are guaranteed a seat a on the train.

Not everyone who lives in Lake Ronkonkoma takes a train to work or school. For these residents, what makes the community stand out from other mid-island hamlets is the lake. For homebuyers who want to live near the water but can’t afford a coastal zip code, Lake Ronkonkoma is a great alternative.

The cost of real estate here ranges from $450,000 to about $630,000. There are a few early 20th-century ranch-style bungalows that were built when the area was a glamourous summer retreat. The 1970s introduced larger split-level and hi-ranch houses. Modern colonial-style homes constructed after 2000 tend to cost more, starting at over $750,000.

Lake Ronkonkoma is primarily served by the Sachem Central School District, which Niche gives an A-minus for academics. Local schools for Grades 1 to 5 include Tamarac Elementary School and Wenonah School, both of which get a B-plus. Samoset Middle School and Sachem High School North score an A-minus for academics. These grades demonstrate what Yovino says about Long Island teachers and public education: “The school districts across the island, as a whole, are premier.”

Year-round, Lake Ronkonkoma is the main recreational spot around these parts. During the summer, the beaches are packed. The rest of the year, locals enjoy views of the water from the deck at Parsnip Lake House. The restaurant and bar hosts weekly open mic night for musicians and comedians and a separate karaoke night with a DJ. The Escape the Room Game Long Island provides hours of indoor entertainment. Based on Google reviews, this seems to be one of the hottest businesses in the community.

For a small neighborhood that doesn’t have a bustling downtown, Lake Ronkonkoma does have quite a few dining options. There are several fast-food joints on Portion Road, plus Island Lake Diner and a couple sushi restaurants.

Most locals are familiar with the legend of Princess Ronkonkoma. Centuries ago, the young Algonquin princess drowned in the lake before she could marry her true love. So, every year, she selects a new fiancé and drowns him.

If spooky legends about murderous princesses give you pause about living in Lake Ronkonkoma, who's to say whether the story is true? The good news is if you decide to take a dip, there are plenty of beaches with on-duty lifeguards. But, just to be safe, avoid swimming after the sun goes down.

Photography Contributed By

Anthony Costa

Video By

Stewart Taveras