Living in North Wantagh is all about location and community. It’s less than 10 minutes to Jones Beach, but it’s also easy to reach nearly anywhere else on Long Island and the commute to the city isn’t bad. “We’re closest to the middle of the island without going too far. It’s an hour to the Hamptons, 45 minutes to the city,” says Lisa Camarda, an owner and broker at RE/MAX Reliance. This is a major draw, but North Wantagh’s sense of community — something it shares with Wantagh proper — is what makes people stay. “It’s a close-knit neighborhood,” says Laura Dupkin Memisha, an associate broker at Realty Advisors and 30-year resident of Wantagh. “People are very friendly. You don’t even know the people walking down the street and they say hello, just walking their dogs. It’s a very welcoming town.” Memisha adds that the town is also very generational, with many people who grew up in the area returning as adults to buy a house a settle down.
Signage welcomes you to Wantagh.
Aerial view of the North Wantagh neighborhood.
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Fixer-uppers starting at $500,000
Both sides of North Wantagh’s residential streets are lined with tree-shaded sidewalks and carefully maintained lawns. Framed by these lawns, most homes are colonials, ranch-style homes and split-levels. “In North Wantagh, you get a little bit more land than in Wantagh, but you’re closer to the parkways,” says Vanessa Ambrosecchia, a Realtor at Compass who has over 20 years of experience selling homes, adding that this proximity to the parkways can be a plus or a minus for some people — it adds convenience, but the background hum of traffic is constant at some homes. “It’s a little bit more expensive in the south side, unless you’re going into a new construction. And the taxes also are a little cheaper on the north side versus the south side.” Home prices occasionally dip to $500,000 for a house that needs major renovations, but most three- or four-bedroom homes start in the $600,000 range and max out at around $900,000. A handful of new or completely renovated six-bedroom homes manage to hit or just surpass the $1 million mark.
Expanded cape style homes are very popular in North Wantagh.
One of the most common style homes in North Wantagh are the ranch style homes.
Some of the larger homes in North Wantagh sell for one million dollars and more.
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Music and sports at MacArthur High
North Wantagh’s school district is the biggest difference between the little hamlet and the rest of Wantagh. Most of North Wantagh belongs to the Levittown Public School District, which has an A from Niche. Children can attend Lee Road Elementary School, which puts a focus on hands-on learning, and Jonas E. Salk Middle School. Both schools have A ratings. Older children can attend General Douglas MacArthur High School, which has an A-minus and an extensive music program that includes a symphonic band, electric music, four levels of guitar, music theory, jazz ensembles and more. The school’s varsity football team has won two Nassau County championships.
Lee Road Elementary has a well-rounded curriculum.
Lee Road Elementary - Main entrance
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Major highways, nearby LIRR
Since it’s located at an intersection of major highways, residents have access to the Southern State Parkway, Wantagh State Parkway, Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and Jerusalem Avenue. This makes it easy to commute to New York City or travel practically anywhere else on the island by car. For those who don’t want to drive, the Long Island Railroad station in Wantagh, less than 2 miles away, brings commuters into the city in just under an hour.
North Wantagh residents use the nearby Southern State Parkway to get around Long Island.
North Wantagh residents can utilize Wantagh LIRR station for all their public transit needs.
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Popular fishing spots and walking, biking trails
With a lake at its heart, Forest City Community Park is a popular place to go fishing. It also offers nature trails for daily walks or runs as well as a playground, basketball court and baseball field. During the summer, its community pool is a go-to spot to take a dunk in the water and cool off from the summer heat. Cuomo Field is where many local soccer practices and games are held, and Duckpond Drive Park also offers athletic fields and courts alongside its playground.
Just over 4 miles away, Wantagh Park and Cedar Creek Park, which has a popular bike path that leads all the way to Jones and Tobay Beaches, are incredibly popular. “Wantagh Park is on the marina with beautiful swimming pools and barbeque areas close to the Parkway,” Ambrosecchia says. “People go there with their boats from different towns and enjoy the park.” One reason it’s so popular among boaters is its boat slips, where boaters can pay a fee to permanently dock their boats. Wantagh Park’s dog run is also incredibly popular because of its turf surface and small doggie pools full of water where dogs can play and cool off during the summer.
The residents of North Wantagh love and respect the water that surrounds them.
The Forest City Community Park in North Wantagh offers a pool, hiking, playground & a lake.
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Freshly baked treats on display at The French Workshop in North Wantagh.
Shopping and dining along Wantagh Avenue
Wantagh Avenue is bracketed by two shopping centers that contain most of North Wantagh’s restaurants and shops. Umberto’s Restaurant & Pizzeria has been the go-to spot for New York-style or deep-dish pizza since 1965 and Jani is a local favorite for its dumplings and sushi. Next door, The French Workshop offers a wide selection of desserts, from a colorful assortment of macarons to fluffy, chocolate-filled pastries. Even more shopping and dining options can be found in Wantagh proper alongside major entertainment spots like Mulcahy’s, which hosts a wide range of live music. For groceries, residents head to North Wantagh's Iavarone Brothers.
Long Island’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
North Wantagh residents gravitate toward Wantagh’s many yearly events, from its Memorial Day Parade to its Spring Festival. Wantagh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, however, is by far its biggest event — in fact, it’s the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Long Island, attracting thousands. The event features not just the parade, but a block party with over a hundred local vendors, restaurant participation, music and entertainment for local kids.
Wantagh Park is a great place to sit by the bay, watch the boats and enjoy nature.
Occasional hurricanes and a low CAP Index
Hurricanes and tropical storms occasionally pass over Long Island, but North Wantagh is an inland community. There's a minor risk of flooding and a major risk of high winds. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Written By
Lia Jones
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Siegel
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
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GreatSchools:
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In the ‘D’ section of Wantagh - The Gateway to Jones Beach - sits a Levittown expanded and dormered ranch that boasts 6 bedrooms and 2 full baths. There is an updated kitchen, complete with granite countertops that includes a double sided fireplace which adds comfort and ambiance to both the kitchen and den / formal dining room. An additional room is perfect for a formal living room. Relax in an
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A rare North Wantagh offering designed for how people truly live today. This exceptional property presents a unique opportunity for extended or multigenerational living with proper permits, thoughtfully designed to support both elevated living and the everyday moments that matter most. Warm, inviting, and impeccably maintained, this one-of-a-kind residence features a versatile layout with
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Three bedroom ranch, with open floor plan. Everything totally updated within the last 2 to 3 years. New kitchen with stainless steel appliances, new bathrooms, hardwood floors, CAC, IGS, pavers, fully fenced yard with beautiful deck.
Well-maintained and spacious 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home located in a desirable Seaford neighborhood within the Levittown School District. This home features a bright living room with vaulted ceilings, central air conditioning (CAC), gas heating, and a comfortable layout ideal for everyday living.
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