$988,686Average Value$675Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Quaint commercial center between North Shore villages
Those familiar with Long Island's North Shore hear Locust Valley and think of old money estates, many of which still crown rolling acreages in nearby villages like Matinecock and Lattingtown. Lovers of the television series "Gilligan's Island" are familiar with the Locust Valley lockjaw, an aristocratic accent actor Jim Backus used to communicate the old-fashioned, upper-crust sensibilities of Thurston Howell III. Along the hamlet’s main drag, preserved historic architecture, nostalgic specialty businesses and a modern generation of residents broadcast how Locust Valley has both retained and evolved its Main Street beyond the Gold Coast identity. “The Locust Valley lockjaw is so gone, it’s rare you run into it. That was the old country club crowd, now it’s their kids and grandkids,” says Greg Lanza, vice president of the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We’re basically a two-traffic-light town. Everybody knows everybody, and that’s not cliche. It’s true.” Across more than a century, Locust Valley has remained a center of commercial, commuter and community life among the far-flung manors, private clubs and country roads that fill the ridges ranging toward Long Island Sound.
Locust Valley is a delightful hamlet on Long Island.
Pinon's Pizza Company of Locust valley is a family friendly pizza shop with gourmet pizzas.
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Seasonal events with the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce
As the seasons and leaves change in Locust Valley, so, too, do the decor and events that adorn store windows and lampposts at the intersection of Birch Hill Road and Forest Avenue. “Summer is always the best in this town. A lot of places die down in the summer, but we get traffic from the surrounding villages,” Lanza says. “Christmas is always charming. Everyone does a great job decorating – nice balsam wreaths, a garland and some lights. Natural decorations that don’t disguise the architecture – that speaks for itself.” Merchants spill deals out from storefronts to sidewalk displays each August during the Sale Under the Sun, also aptly called the Sidewalk Sale. The Locust Valley Annual Fall Festival returns each October, bringing live music, pumpkin-themed crafts and kids' activities like face painting to town. The Matinecock Neighborhood Association helps put on the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, inviting the surrounding communities to Thomas Park in December for free cider, cocoa and performances by the Locust Valley High School band and choir.
Shopping and dining on Forest Avenue and Birch Hill Road
The intersection of Forest Avenue and Birch Hill Road takes on the roles of a town square and downtown shopping district, drawing shoppers down sidewalks toward artisan stores and restaurants. Commercial buildings with old-fashioned brick facades and the occasional Tudor-inspired design don’t crest three stories in height, housing businesses like the Locust Valley Bookstore and the One Last Look Consignment Boutique. Banks, dentist offices and Pilates studios share the sidewalk with the local butcher shop and supermarket. “It’s specialty shopping, very personalized service. The aisles are small at the Locust Valley Market. Even the carts are mini,” Lanza says.
Karmic Grind, the local coffee shop, is down the street from Curds & Whey, a one-stop shop for charcuterie boards, acai bowls and ice cream. Buckram Stables Cafe is a go-to for American staples served in an equestrian-themed dining room or out on a garden-like patio. Disassembled and moved from Manhattan to New Jersey to Locust Valley, a preserved 1880s bar set-up reflects golden lantern light at The Brass Rail.
Karmic Grind in Locust Valley brews up a great cup of java.
Stop in for a cold one at Buckram Stables Cafe in Locust Valley.
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Single-family homes built from the 1900s to 2000s in Locust Valley
While early 20th-century estates in a range of stately and creative styles stand on the outskirts of Locust Valley, plenty of simpler single-family homes filled the hamlet’s quiet, sidewalk-lined streets during the same period, through the midcentury and into the 21st century. Smaller homes, like bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, and those that need renovation sell for $600,000 to $1 million. Homes that sell for $1 million to $2.5 million are either larger, a New Traditional home built in the past couple of decades, or set on a small acreage toward the edges of the hamlet. Locust Valley’s name comes from the locust trees present in the 19th century, and shady, mature trees still canopy roadways, hedges and homes farther from the main drag. Tidy landscaping supplements the lessened greenery on smaller, more densely plotted lots close to the hamlet’s center. Locust Valley has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Gorgeous rows of ranch style homes adorn the streets of Locust Valley.
There's a wide range of home styles in Locust Valley such as bungalow and colonial style homes.
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Robotics and music at highly rated Locust Valley schools
Ann Macarthur Primary School serves prekindergarten through second grade and earns an A from Niche, and Locust Valley Intermediate School serves third through fifth grades and earns an A. Kids finish up at Locust Valley Middle School and Locust Valley High School, which each earn an A. Locust Valley Central School District carries high ratings across its K-12 pipeline, thanks in part to extracurriculars and programs that span age groups. Aspiring engineers can join FIRST Lego League teams all the way from Ann Macarthur Primary School to Locust Valley High School, competing in robot task tournaments against teams from across Long Island. District musicians enjoy excellent support across bands, choirs and orchestras, as evidenced in 2024 by Locust Valley’s designation as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the sixth year in a row.
Children love playing on the playground at Ann Macarthur Primary School in Locust Valley.
Locust Valley Middle is rated one of the best middle schools in New York.
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Preserves and golf clubs near Locust Valley
Thomas Park offers a quiet place to relax on benches or under the gazebo across the road from the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club playground and ballfield. Tennis players can pay to hit the clay courts at Locust Valley Library. Large private clubs and public preserves sprawl within a mile or two of the hamlet in all directions. Among several nearby golf clubs, The Creek stands out for its interplay with the Long Island Sound. Members can watch the tides form an island at the 11th hole or head to the Beach House clubhouse that sits on a private stretch of beach. The Beaver Dam is a hub for hockey leagues and figure skaters through the winter months. The trailhead behind the Warden’s house on the old Charles Coffin estate gives walkers access to the winding woodland trails of the Coffin Woods Nature Preserve, while the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden takes weekend visitors through grounds lush with North American and Asian foliage, creative stone elements and a tea garden that shades a tea house.
Spend the day with the little ones at Thomas Park in Locust Valley.
The Greenville Boys & Girls Club offers lots of activities for the youth of Locust Valley.
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Long Island Expressway and Locust Valley LIRR commuting
Commuters have to travel nearly 10 miles south to hit the Long Island Expressway on the 30-mile drive to Manhattan. From the Locust Valley Long Island Rail Road Station, train riders can be at Penn Station in around an hour and 15 minutes. Glen Cove Hospital is less than 2 miles from the intersection of Birch Hill Road and Forest Avenue, and LaGuardia Airport is nearly 25 miles away.
Locust Valley provides easy transportation access for residents to get around.
Locust Valley is considered one of the best places to live in New York.
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Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Perez Folds
Video By
Maurice McNeil
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deborah Pirro,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Locust Valley, NY sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Locust Valley, NY over the last 12 months is $1,352,500, up 37% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked away on a lush, tree-lined property, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom Ranch offers the perfect blend of privacy, comfort, and convenience in the heart of Locust Valley.A circular driveway and natural greenery create a serene, secluded setting that welcomes you home. Inside, oak floors run throughout, and oversized windows fill the space with beautiful natural light. The living room with
"Green Arbors" at 251 Bayville Road is a quintessential Locust Valley home where timeless charm meets updated luxury. Once part of a 365 acre farm extending all the way down to the water, this Lattingtown gem is nestled on approximately 3.5 flat sprawling acres. The main part of the house dates to the 1850's while major expansion and updates were done in 1920, 1975 and 2010. Spanning 5,750 square
Maison de Tranquillite'. This exceptional gated compound in Lattingtown offers 7+ acres of manicured grounds that was once part of the historic Pratt Estate. Featuring enchanting gardens, a Koi pond with waterfalls, Gunite pool with spa, tennis court, outdoor kitchen, Zen rock garden, 4 car garage, and over 2,300 sq ft of expansive patios—creating the ultimate year round resort-style living.
Welcome to this Stunning updated Cape Cod Masterpiece in Locust Valley, where timeless elegance meets contemporary luxury.The expansive light-filled living room with oak flooring creates an inviting atmosphere.The formal dining area is perfect for hosting memorable gatherings, while the gourmet eat-in kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and ample cabinetry.Five generously sized
Tucked away on a lush, tree-lined property, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom Ranch offers the perfect blend of privacy, comfort, and convenience in the heart of Locust Valley.A circular driveway and natural greenery create a serene, secluded setting that welcomes you home. Inside, oak floors run throughout, and oversized windows fill the space with beautiful natural light. The living room with
Classic charm surrounded by 5.604 acres of formal rose gardens, evergreen hedges, flowering dogwood and a perimeter of tall trees creates the perfect backdrop for this quintessential country colonial. Well located on one of Matinecock’s favorite lanes, this cedar-shingled home with slate roof offers wonderful outdoor amenities including a gunite pool with bluestone patio and cabana, herringbone
Welcome to this Stunning updated Cape Cod Masterpiece in Locust Valley, where timeless elegance meets contemporary luxury. The expansive light-filled living room with oak flooring creates an inviting atmosphere. The formal dining area is perfect for hosting memorable gatherings, while the gourmet eat-in kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and ample cabinetry. Five generously sized
Nestled in the heart of downtown Locust Valley, this elegant Hampton's style four bedroom, four bath colonial is clad in cedar shake and hugged by flowering Hydrangeas. It's a 1921 home that has been completely renovated to exacting standards. Only the highest quality materials have been used in every room of the house. Quarter sawn oak floors, designer lighting, high end architectural details,
Welcome to 85 Weir Lane, a charming home that offers a perfect blend of comfort and style. This delightful residence features 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms (first floor primary suite), with a generous 2800 square feet of living space, situated on a sprawling lot of almost 2 acres. Enjoy your own private outdoor space, perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests. 85 Weir Lane offers a comfortable
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