Nature preserves near shopping centers, 80 miles from New York City
The lesser-known Hampton, Northampton, 80 miles from New York City, offers lakeside living among open green spaces. The community is a large, census-designated part of Suffolk County consisting mainly of nature preserves and trails. There are small residential pockets near Riverside and Riverhead. “Riverhead itself is a really big employment hub,” says Jacqulene Mitrani, a broker with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “People love it because you still have the land and have green space. It’s a little tucked away, but you’re right there with everything.” Residents venture into the nearby town for most amenities like groceries, restaurants, and retailers. From Riverhead, locals may venture into North Folk for what is known as the Wine Trail. “On the Wine Trail, they have the Long Island wineries,” Mitrani says. The Eastern Campus of Suffolk Community College is in the opposite direction. This campus was opened in 1977 and offers nursing, criminal justice, interior design, graphic design and other areas of study.
Residents visit Wildwood Lake and Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve
If locals want to enjoy outdoor fun, a quick drive to Suffolk County or Southampton provides many options. Sunbathers and beachgoers have eight beaches to choose from, including Shinnecock East County Park. Closer to home, Wildwood Lake has boating access and fishing. “The lake has summer appeal with swimming and freshwater fishing,” says Valerie Goode, broker and owner of Colony Realty. Once a cranberry bog run by the Woodhull family, Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve is now a 165-acre preserve that supplies Long Island’s fresh water. Locals come to the park to bird-watch and hike. Other nature preserves surround the area, such as Peconic Bog County Park, Long Island State Pine Barrens Preserve and Eastport Conservation Area, which has a biking trail and may be used for hunting and skiing.
Peconic Bog County Park in Northampton has boat put-ins at the fishing access site.
Peconic Bog County Park in Northampton has a boat put-in so one can explore the Peconic river.
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Manufactured homes starting at $40,000
Homes in Northampton are clustered in two developments—one on the western edges of Wildwood Lake and the other on its eastern side. Mature maples and evergreens offer shade to the curving residential streets. Styles include everything from post-war Minimal Traditionals and ranch-style houses to log cabins and manufactured homes. The community's median price is around $700,000, which is above the national median but more than $1 million lower than the median in nearby Westhampton Beach.
There are multiple examples of personalized Cape Cod Style houses in Northampton along Lake Avenue.
On the east side of Wildwood Lake in Northampton, ranch style homes are common.
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Talent show at the Strawberry Festival
Locals may enjoy fresh dishes made with recently plucked strawberries at the Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival, which celebrates the North Fork Strawberry crop. Patrons may partake in the talent show, a shortcake eating contest or simply enjoy the carnival rides. While most attractions are free, all proceeds help the Mattituck Lions Club. The club is a service organization that supports the Long Island Community and focuses on providing resources to the blind. The Long Island Skyhawks fly model airplanes at the Long Island Skyhawks Flying Field, one of the clubs supported by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The private Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club hosts charity events and member-only parties. Members are welcome to golf anytime and dine at the clubhouse. Residents who wish to attend religious services may visit Calvary Baptist Church, Galilee Church of God in Christ, Friendship Baptist Church and others in the area.
Shopping and dining in Riverhead
Locals are only a few miles away from locally-grown produce. The Southampton Farmers and Artisan Market offers fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods and specialty crafts every Sunday from June 30th to September 15th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locals pick their own fruits and vegetables at Windy Acres Orchard from June to October. The family-run Paumanok Vineyards in North Folk was founded in 1983 and hosts wine tastings. The vineyard also has wine clubs for those passionate about the brand. Along Riverhead’s Main Street, by the Peconic River, is the high-end rustic eatery Farm Country Kitchen. The kitchen has a seasonal dinner menu and catering options. Chain restaurants and popular retailers are found at the Tanger Outlets. Nearby are Costco, Walmart and Stop & Shop for groceries.
Riverhead Central School District earns a B-minus
The Riverhead Central School District, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves the area. Children may attend Aquebogue Elementary School, which receives a B, and Riverhead Middle School, which receives a C-plus. Students advance to Riverhead High School, which receives a B-plus. Riverhead High School has a variety of clubs including a 3D print-making club, a ceramics club and a cooking club.
Pulaski Street Elementary School in Riverhead has nearly 800 students in grades 5-6.
Riley Avenue School in Calverton is near Northampton and serves 600 students grades K-4.
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Commuters use Sunrise Highway and Riverhead train station
“It’s a really easy jaunt down to Westhampton and major highways,” Mitrani says. Riverhead train station is a stop on the MTA Long Island Rail Road, and near the train station are bus stops for public transportation. The area is crisscrossed with highways, including Sunrise Highway, New York Route 51 and New York Route 24. The Francis S. Gabreski Airport is 8 miles away and used for business and private flights. The Long Island MacArthur Airport for commercial flights is 30 miles away.
Buses run frequently in Northampton along Route 51.
The terminus for Route 51, a main stretch in Northampton
New Zealand-born Geoff Gifkins is the successful Hamptons-area Regional Manager for Nest Seekers International Realty. After graduating from Massey University with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Human Movement Studies, Geoff was recruited to work at North City Corporation, a subsidiary of New Zealand Insurance. There he started in financial services sales and soon became the Training and Development Manager for its North Island Region.
Upon immigrating with his family to the United States, Geoff chose to move to the Hamptons. With its beautiful beaches and open spaces, he found the Hamptons comparable to the quality of life of that of his beloved New Zealand homeland.
As in New Zealand, Geoff would soon be buying, renovating and selling homes here. It was natural, therefore, that Geoff’s passion for real estate and architecture would eventually lead him to a career in real estate. He became a Broker and soon owned his own Real Estate Agency in Watermill, NY. In 2011, Geoff sold his Agency to Nest Seekers International and became the company’s Regional Manager for the Hamptons Region.
In just two and a half years, Geoff, together with Eddie Shapiro, Nest Seekers founder and CEO, has grown the Nest Seekers Regional Offices from 20 agents to 129, and has expanded from 1 office to 5 in the Hamptons region. He credits this success to the hard work of his dedicated team as well as to the Global power of the Nest Seekers brand and the company culture of "adaptive innovative thinking". Geoff who loves fitness training, cycling, & yoga, is a graduate of the Real Estate Institute (2007), in addition to being a Certified Buyers Representative, E-pro, and CDPE.
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