Students, faculty and history buffs choose Stony Brook
History, education and outdoor destinations are the main ingredients that make Stony Brook a popular place on Long Island’s north shore to live and explore. The West Meadow Beach creates the town’s northern border, and Smithtown Bypass sits along the southern border. “Stony Brook is 10 to 15 minutes from the Smith Haven mall, and the university and hospital are there. It’s great for families, so people move in and stay long term,” says Yuanyuan “Julia” Zhang, a Realtor with Realty Connect USA who has over five years of experience helping people move within and into the area. When not working at Stony Brook University Hospital or learning at Stony Brook University, New York’s largest public university, residents can visit one of the local museums or public parks. The Stony Brook Village Center is one of the United States' first shopping centers and continues to attract patrons with its local restaurants and boutiques. Whether residents move here for work, learning or fun, there’s always something new to discover.
This Hercules figurehead from the USS Ohio is proudly on display in Stony Brook.
Stony Brook University offers more than 340 undergraduate and graduate programs.
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Crazy Beans and Mirabelle have lunch covered
Students who need a pick-me-up before class can grab breakfast and a drink at Crazy Beans or Druthers Coffee. Lake Grove Diner has kept hungry residents coming back for more with its menu stuffed with American, Italian, and Mexican dishes. Yellow gingham tablecloths welcome guests at Sweet Mama’s Restaurant as they sit down to order breakfast or lunch. Locals celebrate anniversaries and birthdays at the Country House, a historic colonial home turned into a high-end dinner spot. Mirabelle at Three Village Inn serves French dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner to those who make reservations.
The Stony Brook Village Center blends historic architecture designs inspired by Colonial Williamsburg with modern small businesses. It also hosts events throughout the year, like the annual Halloween and holiday festivals. Patrons visit the center to shop at boutiques like Ben’s Garden for home decor and stationery. For groceries, shoppers can visit the Stop & Shop, Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s along Smithtown Bypass. The Smith Haven Mall is a go-to spot for walking around, shopping and dining.
Start your day at Crazy Beans in Stony Brook.
Mirrabelle offers fine dining in the heart of Stony Brook.
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Exploring museums and Avalon Nature Preserve
Residents who want to glance into the past drive down Main Street to visit the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, The Stony Brook Grist Mill Museum or the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. For an outdoor adventure, locals spend the day lounging on the sandy shore of West Meadow Beach. Parents can let their kids hang out on the playground or splash around in the Smithtown Bay waters. “Avalon Nature Preserve is a popular site and can get very busy. People go for hiking and kayaking. It’s really nice,” Zhang says. The T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park is slightly north of Avalon and in 2024, the pond flooded after torrential rain and damaged Harbor Road. Thankfully, the Stony Brook Grist Mill museum was not damaged. The park will be closed until further notice.
The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook showcases American art, history and carriages.
The Prometheus sculpture at Avalon Park is a popular attraction.
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Older Colonial Revivals that match Stony Brooks' historic flare
Students at Stony Brook University have access to on-campus housing and close-by apartments, but faculty and everyday residents can find three-bedroom Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with large yards for $500,000 to $750,000. Larger and recently renovated Colonial Revivals often range from $750,000 to over $1 million. Those 55 or older might settle into a condo within a gated community like Strathmore or The Knolls for $350,000 to $500,000. Some who live close to Weast Meadow Creek get sparkling water views, while residents closer to the university have quick access to the Stony Brook train station and Nicholls Road. Most residential streets throughout Stony Brook don’t feature sidewalks, which gives homeowners even more yard space. The CAP Index gives Stony Brook a crime score of 1 out of 10, with 10 being the highest. The national average is 4.
This brick Colonial Revival in Stony Brook is absolutely stunning.
This perfectly manicured Colonial in Stony Brook features exquisite gingerbread moulding.
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Patriots athletes take first at Ward Melville Senior High
When it’s time for school, most parents send their kids to the A-rated William Sidney Mount School. Students move on to Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School, also earning an A from Niche, before entering their final years of school at Ward Melville Senior High, which earns an A-plus. From Regional Science Bowls to cheer competitions, the Melville Patriots athletic teams and academic clubs often take first place. Those who live in the northern half of town, closer to the beach, might attend Minnesauke Elementary or Setauket Elementary, both of which earn A ratings. Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School gets an A-plus and is the next step for students who later attend Ward Melville Senior High.
Root on the Ward Melville Patriots at Ward Melville High School.
Ward Melville High School in Old Field serves grades 9 through 12.
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Commuting from Stony Brook station to central New York
The Stony Brook Station feeds onto the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson line. Trains come and go occasionally, so residents who miss their chance to commute into central New York take a short trip south to Ronkonkoma Station, also known as one of the busiest train depots for its hourly train schedule. Suffolk County Transit buses have stops around Stony Brook University, and those who live close to Nicholls Road and the Smithtown Bypass have an easier time catching the bus, but others rely on their cars.
Smithtown Bypass offers plenty of shopping and dining options in Stony Brook.
The train station is conveniently located near SUNY Stony Brook campus, shops and restaurants.
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Houses of worship sit throughout Stony Brook
Presbyterian, Unitarian Universalist, Episcopal, Methodist, and non-denominational churches fill Stony Brook, including Nanume Church, which offers services conducted in Korean. There’s also the Stony Brook Sangha Buddhist community and the Temple Isaiah Reform Jewish community.
Stony Brook Community Church is located on Christian Ave in the historic Stony Brook Village.
Houses of worship in Stony Brook include Temple Isiah.
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Written By
Leonardo Mayorga
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Video By
Leonardo Mayorga
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rory Sherman,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Stony Brook, NY sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Stony Brook, NY over the last 12 months is $717,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fabulous ALL NEW home with spacious open plan and private patio in prime location! Chef's kitchen with quartz counters and designer white cabinetry plus stainless steel appliances. Primary suite with all new bath & Sunroom/guest room with New 1/2 bath. A picture perfect home in an upscale +55 community with pool, clubhouse and many social activities. Private patio with perennial flowers. New
Move right in to this Beautifully Updated 3-bedroom 2.5 Bath Colonial in the M Section of Stony Brook. The interior features a Large renovated Eat-in Kitchen with Gleaming Quartz Countertops, Custom Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances & Dining Area. The 1st Floor also has an updated Bath, large sun-drenched den with wood burning fireplace & Laundry Room. The 2nd Floor of the home features 3
Spacious 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath Colonial located in award winning Three Village SD. Home features hardwood floors, Full basement, 1 car garage with extended driveway, formal dining room, large living room, eat in kitchen and laundry room on first floor. New oil tank, inground sprinklers, ceiling fans, hi hat lighting & air conditioning units. Cesspool 15 yrs old. Taxes have been grieved and
Exquisitely renovated 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath home in the charming village of Stony Brook. This stunning home offers breathtaking views from expansive decks and peaceful serene natural surroundings. Inside you will find a spacious, light filled layout with a gorgeous modern kitchen, spa like baths, and hardwood floors throughout. Home features a formal dining room, living room with woodburning
$99 Security Deposit* *Restrictions apply. FAIRFIELD AT LAKE GROVE - very convenient, minutes to SUNY Stonybrook. Tour with our Leasing Agent. Email: or call . Close to Port Jefferson Village and Harborfront, as well as St. Charles and Mather Hospitals. Near Route 25A and Route 347. Includes Heat and Hot Water. Excellent nearby shops, dining, fitness. Smithaven
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