Mount Sinai: Beach access, schools, Heritage Park draw homebuyers
THE SCOOP Located on the north shore of Suffolk County, Mount Sinai has a nautical feel, with easy access to town beaches and marinas.
Cedar Beach is a well-known beach on Long Island Sound with an eatery, fishing pier, nature walk and a favorite place to see the sunset. Mount Sinai Harbor, across the street from the town beach, is where residents often dock their boats.
"It's the best of the North Shore," said Brad Arrington, president of the Mount Sinai Civic Association, of Cedar Beach. "It's more laid-back and relaxed, as opposed to the South Shore."
The Mount Sinai school district sits on a 65-acre campus, with a population of about 2,000 students. In 1965, Mount Sinai Elementary School was built, the middle school in 1978 and high school in 1992, completing the school district. Prior to that, students attended Port Jefferson schools. Mount Sinai High School was named a Blue Ribbon School in 2023.
In addition to the beaches and schools, Arrington said the community also centers around Mount Sinai Heritage Park, or "The Wedge" as it's known to residents, situated on Route 25A.
"You can go to the park at any time of the day, and you will find people jogging or walking or parents with kids at the playground," he said. Little Leagues and adult leagues use the two baseball diamonds as a turf soccer field. It is also known for its "smiley face" of daffodils in the spring along the west side of the mound, where children sled on snowy days.
Route 25A, which divides the community, is also home to its business district, with small strip malls and restaurants. Adjacent towns, like Port Jefferson Station to the west and Miller Place to the east, have additional shopping centers and supermarkets frequented by residents.
Mount Sinai comprises mostly single-family homes, with newer high-luxury condominiums — such as The Hamlet at Willow Creek, where homes are reselling for more than $1 million — dotting Route 25A.
Like many Long Island communities, the land now known as Mount Sinai was a fishing and farming community. The first post office was established in 1840. According to local lore, the wife of the postmaster opened her Bible at random and laid down her knitting needle on the name Mount Sinai.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are 10 condos, priced between $349,888 and $899,999, on the market.
SALE PRICES Between March. 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, there were 132 home sales with a median sale price of $645,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 165 home sales with a median sale price of $615,000.
OTHER STATS
Population 11,641
Median age 45.3
Median home value $650,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Port Jefferson $378
School district, graduation rate Mount Sinai (95.6%)
Libraries Comsewogue, Port Jefferson
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 62
Sources: 2021 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
ON THE MARKET
$1.299 million
This three-bedroom, three-bathroom condominium in The Hamlet at Willow Creek has a custom kitchen, updated bathrooms, central air conditioning and vacuum system. There are an in-ground saltwater pool and outdoor kitchen. The association has an 18-hole golf course. Annual taxes are $8,710. Aliano Realty, Dennis Consalvo, 631-418-7968.
$950,000
This four-bed, three-bath Adirondack-style home sits high on the landscape and offers sweeping water views of Mount Sinai Harbor and Long Island Sound. Called Point Silence, the home was built in 1900, and is part of a local association that includes tennis courts, trails and a ballfield, as well as a private beach. The home has a wraparound porch made of locust and cedar. The kitchen has been updated with cherry cabinets and high-end appliances. Annual taxes are $17,388. Exit Realty Island Elite, Bryan Elseser, 631-747-5563 or Jason Furnari, 631-937-5800.
$549,996
Built in 1900, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom Mediterranean-style home, 2½. miles from Cedar Beach and Mount Sinai Harbor, sits on a half-acre property. It features hardwood floors, a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, custom moldings throughout the house and an updated kitchen. The primary bedroom has a private balcony overlooking the landscaped yard with a pergola and outdoor fireplace. Annual taxes are $8,069. Berkshire-Hathaway, Laura Cochran, 631-642-6212.
RECENTLY SOLD
$2.03 million
Shore Road
Style Postmodern
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 7½
Built 2008
Lot size 0.99 acre
Taxes $32,815
+/- List price -$720,000
Days on market 189
$999,000
Chestnut Street
Style Postmodern
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 4½
Built 2001
Lot size 0.91 acre
Taxes $16,400
+/- List price -$151,000
Days on market 91
$499,000
Mount Sinai Coram Road
Style Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 1
Built 1975
Lot size 0.39 acre
Taxes $10,325
+/- List price -$50,000
Days on market 91
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 30
Price range $366,900 to $1.695 million
Tax range $7,709 to $26,641