Moriches is one of the last year-round residential hamlets on the south shore of Long Island that travelers pass by on their way to the Hamptons. Homebuyers looking for coastal or near coastal homes in a community not appropriated by rowdy nightclubs, fancy restaurants and hip boutiques often find themselves house-hunting in Moriches. “Once you enter into Moriches itself, the whole terrain changes, really. It’s just more countrified,” says Jo Ann Boettcher, licensed real estate salesperson and senior real estate specialist at Douglas Elliman. She has 40 years of experience in real state and lived in Moriches for 21 years. While Deloar Khan, a licensed real estate salesperson with AVS Realty, says there are plans for growth in the town of Brookhaven, where Moriches is located, most of the development is slated for Center Moriches, which is right next door. "If you’re looking to live in a community that’s quiet but also close to some of the most explosive growth that Suffolk County has seen in decades, Moriches may fit the bill,” says Khan.
Moriches has the Forge River running through it leading to the bay.
Gorgeous backyard on this Colonial style home in Moriches.
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Boating along the Forge River
“It's a waterfront community for sure. There’s a lot of boating,” Boettcher says. “You have beautiful, nice marinas. A lot of people love to go fishing out there.” Much of Moriches’ waterfront is taken up by homes, so the area’s popular marinas and yacht clubs are just a few minutes away in Center Moriches. Crystal Beach is a small beach and boat ramp that only members of the Crystal Beach Property Owner’s Association have access to. Just outside Moriches, the Moriches Sports Complex hosts local games on its baseball fields and is home to a large playground. Opened in 2023, the Moriches Branch of the local library provides a fresh space to meet up for community events or to cozy up with a book when the weather isn’t great.
Some homes have a private dock leading out to the bay in Moriches.
Crystal Beach also features a private boating community in Moriches.
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Waterfront homes starting at $700,000
While Moriches is quiet and quaint, residential real estate prices reflect the spectacular views of the Forge River, canals and creeks that snake through the community. Prices start around $430,000 to $700,000 for an attached home or condo in The Waterways, a gated, 55-plus neighborhood on the tip of the hamlet’s western finger. “It has its own marina and clubhouse, tennis courts and pickleball courts, a basketball court,” says Boettcher, who lives in the development. “It’s so well maintained and the people are the best. There’s always so much to do, always activities going on.” Use of the marina does require an extra fee, but it’s just a short walk from most residents’ homes.
There’s more variety on the hamlet’s eastern finger. Homes rarely dip below $500,000, and when they do, they’re usually small, landlocked fixer-uppers built in simple ranch styles. An updated two-bedroom starts at around $550,000, while a large colonial on a pristinely manicured street fetches about $650,000. River views aren’t uncommon here, and homes that command one typically cost between $700,000 and $1 million, though there are a few large waterfront homes with acreage that break well past the $1 million mark.
Relax with life on the water overlooking the Forge River in Moriches.
Gorgeous colonial style water view homes in Moriches.
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Yearly events in nearby Center Moriches
Moriches itself has few community events, but that’s because most residents head into Center Moriches its yearly events, including a summer concert series, a lively spring festival and parades for Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day. Not having these events directly in the Moriches community provides a degree of separation, letting residents join in when they want before returning to their quiet, unruffled streets.
Mom-and-pop shops along Montauk Highway
The “countrified” vibe that Boettcher attributes to Moriches is helped along by its collection of local mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, including Barntique Village. “It’s a row of antique shops,” Boettcher says, noting the variety of vendors; there are 21 in total. “It’s very, very quaint.” Moriches Bay Diner is a popular spot particularly well-known for its breakfast. Greek Bites Grill & Café is a go-to for delivery and takeout and La Buena Vida serves seafood and Spanish cuisine right on the water. Hank Hulse Farms and LaCorte’s Farm Stand provide access to locally grown produce and freshly baked pies. LaCorte’s, which has been around since 1959, opened its Wine Barn & Farmer’s Market in 2024. Along with wine and a small selection of beer, the wine bar features frequent live music on the weekends. “It’s very sweet, I can see that’s going to take off,” Boettcher says. Lidl offers nearby essentials, and Center Moriches offers more shopping and dining in its walkable downtown less than 2 miles away.
La Corte's newly transformed Wine Barn and Farmers Market in Moriches is a must do.
Bartique Village has a dozen small boutique style storefront you can walk into in Moriches.
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Career training at William Floyd High
The William Floyd Union Free School District earns an A-minus from Niche. Children can attend Moriches Elementary School, which has a B-plus, William Floyd Middle School, which gets a B, and William Floyd High School. With a B-plus, the high school’s career and technical education program offers training in fields like carpentry, medical assisting and cosmetology.
William Floyd High School in Moriches.
William Floyd Middle School is located on Moriches-Middle Island Road.
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Traveling on major highways, LIRR
Montauk Highway runs through Moriches and Sunrise Highway forms its northern border, serving as major east-west corridors. It also takes just a few minutes to hop onto William Floyd Parkway, which runs north and south. Trains leaving from the Long Island Rail Road’s Mastic-Shirley Station, located 2.5 miles from the center of Moriches, make the 70-mile trip to Manhattan in just over 90 minutes.
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