Stony Brook Real Estate Agents, Stony Brook Homes for Sale, Stony Brook Condos, Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, NY

Stony Brook Real Estate Overview

Stony Brook is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in the Town of Brookhaven on Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 13,727.

Located on the picturesque North Shore of Long Island, New York, the area is home to, among other things, Stony Brook University, The Stony Brook School, and Stony Brook "Village". The history of the town has been closely linked to that of Ward Melville, a local businessman who at one point owned most of what is now sometimes called the "Three Villages" (consisting of the areas of Stony Brook, Setauket, and Old Field).

Beginning in 1939 with the creation of the Community Fund (currently the Ward Melville Heritage Organization), Ward Melville began the transformation of the area into his idea of an idyllic New England village, with white clapboard and quaint stores. This effect has been largely achieved in the population center, which consists of a green and a crescent of stores. In further pursuit of this goal, Melville donated the land and funds for the creation of Stony Brook University to the state of New York, as well as for the local school district.

The area has virtually no industrial or commercial base due to current zoning, and the rapid growth of residential development in the past decade has begun to place serious strain on schools as they try to cope with the added strain. However, the schools are generally considered to be above average.

Visitors to the area with children should plan to see, as well as the nearby Sand Street Beach, a duck pond, a historic grist mill (c. 1751), as well as the newly created Avalon Park, which has a fabulous boardwalk, trails, landscaping, and a year-round groundskeeper. Additionally, the Carriage Museum is billed as one of the largest of its type in America.

Stony Brook's centerpiece is its historic area along Main Street, which exudes Colonial ambience and offers picturesque views of the harbor.

The crescent-shaped area is laced with old-fashioned street lamps and features specialty shops and restaurants anchored by a federalist-style post office, which has a mechanical eagle that flaps its wings on the hour. With neighboring Old Field and Setauket, Stony Brook composes the Three Village area.

Once a sleepy hamlet, the area surged with the presence of Stony Brook University. Today, the university and Stony Brook University Hospital occupy 1,100 acres.

Although Colonial-style homes dominate the community, a mix including ranches, farm ranches and Capes can be found as well. Houses occupy at least 1/3-acre properties and range in value from $300,000 to $1.5 million.

Stony Brook is believed to have been settled in 1660. The Setalcott Indians called the place "Wopowog" for "land at the narrows," describing the narrow inlet from Long Island Sound that feeds into Stony Brook Harbor.

The area's most prominent historical figure was Ward Melville, a 20th century shoe tycoon who inherited the centuries-old Hallock homestead, which became the Three Village Inn, from his mother, Jeannie. In 1940, he hosted a dinner for about 80 residents during which when he set forth plans for the rebuilding of the declining business section.

Residents and visitors can enjoy many annual events in and around the village center, ranging from summer outdoor concerts to holiday festivities.

Students attend the Three Village school district. From midtown Manhattan it is about 52 miles to Stony Brook.

IF YOU WANT TO BUY

STARTER: High-ranch, 3-4 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen, no basement, 1-2 car garage, 1/3 acre, taxes $4,800- $6,000.

PRICE: $300,000-$350,000

TRADE-UP: Farm ranch, Colonial, Cape, ranch, 3-5 bedrooms, 2-3 baths, eat-in kitchen, some with basement, 2-car garage, 1/3 acre-plus, taxes $7,500- $13,000.

PRICE: $400,000-$799,000

LUXURY: Colonial, 4-6 bedrooms, 3-plus baths, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, basement, 2-3-car garage, 1/3 acre-2 acres, some with water view, taxes $8,000- $18,000.

PRICE: $800,000-$1.5 million

CONDOS and CO-OPS: Planned retirement communities for adults 55 and older: Strathmore Gate, high $100,000 to mid-$200,000 range; The Knolls, smaller, but newer, 1-2 bedroom, 1-2 bath, mid-$200,000 range. Both on the southwest side of Stony Brook.

RECENT SALES

Saddler Lane, $375,000, 3-bedroom ranch, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, no basement, 2-car garage, 33 years old, frame, 0.5 acre, taxes $5,955.

Old Wood Road, $459,000, 3-bedroom ranch, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, full basement, 2-car garage, frame, 0.58-acre lot, taxes $7,311.

Robert Crescent, $529,900, 4-bedroom Colonial, 2 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, partial basement, 2-car garage, 8 years old, 116x173 lot, taxes $10,600.

Hallock Meadow Drive, $637,000, 4-bedroom Colonial, 2 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen, 2 fireplaces, 4 skylights, partial basement, 2-car garage, 14 years old, cedar/clap, 132x172 lot, taxes $12,916.

Cedar Street, $715,000, 5-bedroom Colonial, 2 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen, 3 fireplaces, skylight, basement, 2-car detached garage, cedar, 1 acre, taxes $12,000.

Soundview Court, $1 million, 5-bedroom Colonial, 3 baths, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, full basement, 2-car garage, 39 years old, wood, taxes $13,729.

The Stony Brook real estate links at the top of the page will help you find Stony Brook homes for sale, Stony Brook real estate agents and Stony Brook home values. Get access to Stony Brook real estate listings and Stony Brook home listings, including the Stony Brook MLS, Stony Brook REALTORS, Stony Brook new homes, Stony Brook condos, Stony Brook condominiums, Stony Brook property, Stony Brook land, Stony Brook acreage and Stony Brook foreclosures. These free real estate services feature all Stony Brook cities, Stony Brook towns, Stony Brook suburbs and Stony Brook neighborhoods. The websites linked above also contain information on Stony Brook home selling, Stony Brook home buying, Stony Brook mortgages, Stony Brook insurance, Stony Brook movers and other Stony Brook realty services for anyone looking to sell a home or buy a home in Stony Brook, Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, NY.