West Babylon, one of the most populated hamlets in Long Island’s Town of Babylon, was once filled with a towering windmill and tulip fields tended to by Dutch farmers. After World War I, the area became a booming commuter town. The legendary American poet Walt Whitman even called West Babylon home in the 1830s when he taught at a school where the Great South Bay Shopping Center now stands.
The hamlet welcomes anyone looking for quick commutes into New York City and access to popular outdoor destinations. “New homeowners are drawn to the area for one reason: It’s close to Babylon and beaches,” says JoAnn Cilla, the broker-owner of JoAnn Cilla Real Estate. “The prices are pretty affordable, and there are decent taxes, too, because you don’t get the village tax that Babylon has. Plus, there’s easy access to the city with the Southern State Parkway.”
On Marie's Island in West Babylon, NY there is a large windmill and a West Babylon sign.
Commuting to and from West Babylon is easy via the Southern State Parkway.
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Commuting from three LIRR train stations
Over 40,000 people live in the hamlet, and many commute to New York City for work. “West Babylon is conveniently located between NYC and the East End, making it an ideal place to live,” says Travis Steward, president of the Belmont Lake Civic Association and a longtime resident. “There are homes you can build anywhere, but we have three train stations nearby. It’s an hour to the city, and if you miss the train at Wyandanch Station, you can drive seven minutes to Babylon Station or 11 minutes to Deer Park Station. You can’t get that anywhere else.”
The Southern State Parkway and Sunrise Highway are major commuting routes, and Suffolk County Transit Buses run throughout the hamlet. Most residential streets have room for parking because there aren’t many sidewalks. Owning a car or bicycle is necessary for getting around. The nearest hospital is NYU Langone Health, about 3 miles east of West Babylon.
Because the southern half of West Babylon is close to the water, there’s a higher risk of flooding, particularly for homes surrounding Venetian Shores Park. Some streets are prone to flood during heavy rainfall. Otherwise, West Babylon sees all four seasons, with snow in the winter and humid summers.
Enjoy the nautical lifestyle with a waterfront home in West Babylon.
West Babylon residents can catch the train to the city via the Babylon station.
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Inland ranch-style homes or waterfront Cape Cods
Generations have called West Babylon home, with many homeowners staying in the area for life. Most homes are single-family properties with ranch-style or Cape Cod designs, but there are also co-op buildings, like Fisherman’s Wharf. “The average established home with three bedrooms and two baths goes for $575,000 to $675,000. New construction can go for $675,000 to $700,000, but there’s no new development going on right now,” Cilla says. The most expensive properties are often in the south part of town, close to the water. The hamlet’s median price is $600,000, higher than the $406,100 national median reported by the National Association of Realtors.
The Suffolk County Police Department’s First Precinct serves West Babylon. According to a 2021 report from the police department, the First Precinct had a less than 1% decrease in reported crimes from 2020 to 2021. Reported property crimes far exceeded the rate of reported violent crimes. Data wasn’t readily available to compare the precinct’s crime rates to state and national averages.
Ranch style homes with attached garages ca be seen throughout West Babylon, NY.
On this canal in West Babylon you will see fisherman cleaning the catch of the day.
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Lounging on the Venetian Shores or fishing in Belmont Lake
West Babylon has a few outdoor destinations, mainly in the south. Bergen Point Golf Course is an 18-hole course next to Bergen Bay Docks. Venetian Shores Park is the largest green space in the hamlet, with a small beach, a spray park and multiple athletic fields. The beach is private, and residents need a parking pass to visit. The park’s beach is open only to Town of Babylon residents, so anyone who wants to visit needs to purchase a beach pass through the Town of Babylon’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Belmont Lake State Park is in the northern part of town, and many visitors spend their time fishing and kayaking on Belmont Lake. The park also features trails for hiking and horseback riding through the forested area.
Venetian Shores Beach in West Babylon has a restaurant and a great splash park for kids.
Enjoy the beautiful course at Bergen Point Golf Course in West Babylon.
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Bingo nights and annual feasts at Our Lady of Grace Church
The Belmont Lake Civic Association holds many of its events at Belmont Lake State Park. “There’s always something going on here,” Steward says. “Thousands of people show up for our Belmont Lake Civic Association concert series and fall festival. More than 10,000 show for our Christmas tree lighting event where there’s a tree as tall as the one at Rockefeller Center, fireworks and ice sculptures.”
There are multiple churches throughout the hamlet, but the West Babylon Lions Club hosts an annual Saint Anthony’s Feast at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church. The group also organizes bingo nights at the church and joins the West Babylon Fire Department for a Christmas tree lighting and parade every December.
Our Lady of Grace is one of several churches in West Babylon.
Try your luck at fly fishing at Belmont Lake State Park in West Babylon.
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Three school districts serve West Babylon
The West Babylon Union Free School District covers most of the hamlet and earns an A from Niche. Homes north of Venetian Shores Park likely fall in the A-rated Lindenhurst Union Free School District, while those in the northeast side of town are served by the North Babylon Union Free School District, which gets a B.
The West Babylon Junior High School teaches students in grades 6-8 in West Babylon, NY.
West Babylon Senior High School is a public high school in West Babylon, NY.
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Local retail and out-of-town shopping
Restaurants and stores primarily line Sunrise Highway. Steward highlights Angie’s Soul House, a restaurant that serves Caribbean-inspired dishes in a dine-out-only setting. “It’s always busy from the moment it opens. Hundreds of people wait in line for about 30 minutes, but it’s a great spot,” Steward says.
Great South Bay Shopping Center on Montauk Highway has Marshalls, Old Navy and Ulta, but most residents drive 8 miles north to the Walt Whitman Shops in Melville or 5 miles to the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park.
The Wagyu Steak House is located in the Great South Bay Shopping Center in West Babylon, NY.
West Babylon residents enjoy shopping at the Tanger Outlets at nearby Deer Park.
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Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Video By
Taylor Noll
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in West Babylon, NY sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in West Babylon, NY over the last 12 months is $630,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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