North Great River offers peaceful suburban living on Long Island
As its name suggests, North Great River is a Long Island community that’s sought after for its natural surroundings. This small hamlet in Islip butts up against Connetquot River State Park Preserve, giving you over 3,000 acres to explore with various activities. It’s a largely suburban community, with some spacious properties that can accommodate horse stables. Situated in about the middle of Long Island, nearby highways and a train station offer straightforward commutes to Manhattan.
Buyers can find larger homes and spacious yards in North Great River
Ranch-style and split-level homes dot the streets of North Great River, framed by tall, leafy trees that provide plenty of shade. Houses are often close together, giving the area a suburban feel. While the properties tend to be narrow, the backyards are spacious, offering room for pools or horse facilities. What's more, you might be able to find a comparative bargain in this community. “I think you’re getting more value over in that area. You get more square footage and a bigger house than some of the other spots,” says Michael Watts, owner and broker at Michael J. Watts & Associates, with nearly 20 years of experience. “A lot of people like that there’s a lot of horse properties in that area. It’s a great value, property-wise.” Homes here typically cost between the mid-$300,000s and the upper $900,000s.
What costs to expect beyond the purchase price
While the area offers good value for a home, there are other costs to consider. There are no homeowners associations and flood insurance isn’t required, but property taxes can be high:
- Suffolk County ranks 12th out of over 3,000 U.S. counties for the highest median property taxes.
- The median property tax bill in the county is around $7,100 to $7,200.
- Homeowners in North Great River pay taxes to the Town of Islip, Suffolk County and school districts.
Plenty of outdoor activities from natural settings to sports fields
Outdoor fun is easy to find in North Great River. The Connetquot River State Park Preserve spans nearly 3,500 acres, with plenty of things to do. The park is particularly popular with horse owners. “They’re very close to the state park where they can actually ride their horses,” Watts says. “There’s tons of acreage for them to do so.” In addition to the equestrian trails, the park offers hiking and cross-country skiing. Fly-fishing is another popular activity, but it requires a permit. The neighborhood’s young athletes can take the field at Westbrook Sports Complex, which has baseball, softball and soccer fields.
Shops, groceries and local restaurants are all nearby
While houses make up most of the area, shops and restaurants are close to home. Groceries and other household items are available at nearby supermarkets like Pats and Target. For quick trips, you can head to the CVS on Connetquot Avenue. When you’re in the mood for dining out, you can:
- Grab a casual Italian meal at Mary’s Pizza and Pasta
- Get a quick bite at Charlie’s Legendary Hot Dogs food truck
- Enjoy a lobster roll or bisque at Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille
- Try traditional Latin flavors at Sabor a Colombia
Highly rated local schools offer college credit
The East Islip Union Free School District serves the community and includes the highly rated East Islip High School, where students can study career and technical courses in business, cosmetology and technology. They can also earn college credit with classes through Long Island University, Stony Brook and Suffolk County Community College.
What the commute to Manhattan looks like from North Great River
North Great River is a popular homebase for people who work in New York City but want a more suburban and natural setting. The commute to Manhattan is about 55 miles along the Southern State Parkway and Interstate 495, which can take 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic. If you’d rather not drive, there is a Long Island Rail Road station on Connetquot Avenue. The train ride typically takes about an hour and 40 minutes to get to Penn Station and Grand Central Station.
![Matthew Atkins]()
Written By
Matthew Atkins
