If you want to buy in Lake Success

Just east of the Queens line, Lake Success, a village named for a glacially formed kettle lake, is one of nine that compose the Great Neck peninsula.

The community often draws young families who are attracted to the schools and a swift commute into the city, says Edna Mashaal, a resident and broker-owner of a real estate agency that bears her name.

Another selling point: village amenities, which include a membership park with pool and tennis courts, as well as a golf club and fitness center, says Irene Rallis of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Port Washington.

"It's a great place to raise kids," says Mayor Ronald Cooper, a 33-year resident, noting the village is family oriented. Residents often get involved with some volunteering on various boards and commissions.

The lay of the land combines peaceful neighborhoods and industrial areas, with the latter helping absorb a portion of taxes. Busy thoroughfares include Lakeville Road and the Marcus Avenue corridor, which is lined by professional and commercial businesses.

The village has 840 homes, Cooper says. There are many ranches without basements. Builders continue to raze houses to build brick Colonials with up to 5,500 square feet of space, Mashaal says, adding that prices go up to $3.2 million.

Rallis adds that houses sold well this past spring.

SALES PRICES
From July 1, 2011, to Aug. 20, 2012, there were 28 sales with a median price of $1,040,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low was $815,000, and the high was $2,400,000. From July 1, 2010, to Aug. 20, 2011, there were 27 sales. The median price was $975,000, with a low of $640,000 and a high of $2,600,000.

ATTRACTIONS
Village Park offers a pool, red clay tennis courts and a summer day camp for young children. The Village Club at Lake Success has an 18-hole golf course and a fitness center. The club plans to expand the health club facility, Cooper says. Village services include police protection and six-day, behind-the-house garbage pick up.

BY THE NUMBERS

Town: North Hempstead

Area: 1.8 square miles

ZIP code: 11020

Population: 2,934

Median age: 52.7

Median household income: $202,708

Median home value: $1,280,500*

LIRR time to NYC: From Great Neck, 24 to 40 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $223

School district: Great Neck

Sources: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island