Bucolic yet connected living on central Long Island
City residents looking for an idyllic setting without compromising on commutability and modern-day conveniences look to settle in Melville, a Long Island hamlet lauded for its open space and breathing room between neighbors. "It's the natural, bucolic setting that attracts a lot of people," says Realtor Linda Cawley of Signature Premier Properties, adding that home properties allow for more space because of zoning regulations. "With residential one-acre zoning, you get to live in a private area but still have community." Established homes sit on modest lots, equidistant from high-end retailers and vast parkland. In addition to low traffic, the extra elbow room provides a slowed-down lifestyle about 30 miles from Manhattan.
Renovated midcentury homes and some new builds
Melville’s housing stock consists of mid-century split-level and ranch-style homes mixed between larger contemporary new builds. Many homes built in the 50s and 60s have been refurbished with modern updates. "There have been lots of home renovations," Cawley says. These renovated homes are typically four-bedroom, three-bathroom ranches or colonials. Larger homes with postmodern architecture are entering the scene with new construction. These luxurious custom-built homes feature more contemporary styles and modern details. Single-family homes typically range between $600,000 to $2 million, though some properties fetch as much as $4.3 million.
Highly rated schools in Half Hollow Hills School District
Families with children are drawn to the area for the top-rated Half Hollow Hills School District, which earns an A-plus overall Niche score and is ranked the best school district in Suffolk County. Students may start at one of five top-rated elementary schools, including A-plus-rated Paumanok Elementary School, before advancing to either Candlewood Middle School or West Hollow Middle School, which both earn A-plus grades. Located in Dix Hills, the district’s high schools — Half Hollow Hills High School East and West — also earn A-plus scores. Both offer over 25 Advanced Placement courses and partnerships with universities, including Stony Brook University and Long Island University. High school students may also study engineering in connection with the Rochester Institute of Technology "Project Lead the Way" program.
Hiking in the sprawling preserves and natural areas of Melville
Melville's natural beauty is thanks in part to bountiful parkland. The West Hills Nature Preserve sprawls along the north side. While the west side offers Dr. Jeffrey Wenig Memorial Park and Butterfly Park. Butterfly Park has a small pond and is tucked between residential areas. And along the western border, Pine Ridge Conservation Area offers winding trails among dense, pristine woods. In Dix Hills, pocket parks are great places for playground visits and athletic games, such as Otsego Park, where locals gather for Little League Baseball games in the spring.
Dining along State Route 110 and familiar retailers nearby
State Route 110 bisects Melville and serves as the community’s commercial artery. A string of eateries, from American steakhouses to Asian bistros, line the thoroughfare. The Refuge offers a creative twist on Latin American and Italian classics amid rustic decor. The variety continues when dining out in Dix Hills. Eclectic restaurants, such as Kabul Afghan Restaurant and Dix Hills Diner, cluster along East Jericho Turnpike on the hamlet's northern border.
Melville Mall is centrally located in the community and features a handful of convenient retailers, including Macy’s, Marshall’s and Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace for groceries. Shoppers head less than 2 miles north to the popular Walt Whitman Shops, a high-end shopping mall stacked with upscale department stores and restaurants.
Commutability to Manhattan by car or train
As State Route 110 turns from Broadhollow Road to Walt Whitman Road as it follows north, the thoroughfare intersects with other major arteries: Interstate 495 and Northern State Parkway. Both connect Melville residents west to Manhattan, 30 miles away. Commuters take the Long Island Rail Road train line into the city from either the Pinelawn or Farmingdale stations, typically about an hour and a half ride. JFK International Airport is about 30 miles away.
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Costa
