Medford: Horse country meets convenience in 'transitional location'
Route 112 is home to many of Medford's businesses. Credit: Neil Miller
THE SCOOP Medford straddles Long Island where the suburbs melt into countryside. In the western half are big-box stores, and in the eastern half, horses.
"We're a transitional location," said Brett Houdek, president of the Medford Taxpayers and Civic Association, "where the suburbs finally meet the rural section of Long Island."
The 14-acre Country Farms Equestrian Center has both indoor and outdoor arenas for riding lessons, shows and polo, and houses up to 70 horses. Grand Oak Stables specializes in training hunter and jumper horses and ponies. And Four Star Ranch's horseback riding lessons feature instructors certified for riders with disabilities. The ranch also is home to the nonprofit Mother of Gods Horse Rescue.
Medford Athletic Complex draws locals who enjoy its sports fields and playgrounds. Credit: Neil Miller
"I think the horses bring a whole different vibe to a community," said Town of Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley, whose District 5 includes the southern part of Medford. "I'm very proud that we have a lot of horse farms and activities in my district."
At the same time, Medford could not be more suburban. The Long Island Expressway runs directly through it, and the community has a Long Island Rail Road station. Route 112 is a heavily commercial corridor. And residents can shop at big-box stores such as Sam's Club and Target, or at CTown and Stop & Shop supermarkets.
"I've always said," quipped Houdek, "if you can't find it in Medford, you can't find it!"
Route 112 slices through Medford and houses small businesses, in addition to bigger stores. Credit: Neil Miller
Recreation includes the 18-hole Mill Pond Golf Course, open to the public, as well as the Medford Athletic Complex of ballfields, a multipurpose field and a playground, with a pickleball court coming, Foley said. Eagles Estates Park has baseball diamonds, and the Sipp Avenue Complex within the 7.1-acre Twelve Pines Park has baseball, soccer and basketball facilities.
The hamlet is home to four Christian churches and the Islamic Center of Medford-Coram. And a spanking new Medford branch of the Patchogue-Medford Library opened this past June.
While not exactly sister cities, Medford and Patchogue are good-neighbor-next-door towns, coordinating celebrations such as parades so they don't compete with each other. "We do try to split the holiday events," said Houdek, a retired National Grid manager. "You don't want the kids or mom and dad having to decide, 'No, you can't go there because we're doing this one.' "
Ultimately, Foley said Medford balances the support of family-oriented issues with business concerns.
Houses along Lollypine Lane, top, and Cherry Lane in Medford. Credit: Neil Miller
SALE PRICES Between Jan. 8, 2024, and Jan. 7, 2025, there were 286 home sales with a median sale price of $530,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 256 home sales with a median sale price of $480,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are seven condos, priced between $324,988 and $730,000, on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 24,738
Median age 42.5
Median home value $550,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Medford or Ronkonkoma $378
School districts, graduation rates Patchogue-Medford (85.6%), Longwood (87.8%), Sachem (92.9%), South Country (83.8%)
Libraries Patchogue-Medford, Longwood, Sachem, South Country
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 55
Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
ON THE MARKET
$999,990
This $999,990 Medford property is 3.04 acres. Credit: VHT Studios /Max Masala
Built in 1937 on a 3.04-acre lot, this expanded ranch features outbuildings including a barn and a three-car garage. With four bedrooms, two full baths, an eat-in kitchen and a formal dining, this home is in the Longwood School District. Taxes are $13,910. Lina Lopes, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-758-2552.
$539,900
This $539,900 Medford home is 1,948 square feet. Credit: Image Habitat/Jim Harrison
This 1971 Cape has four bedrooms and 1½ bathrooms. It had a new roof, a 275-gallon above-ground oil tank and two-zone hot-water heating system installed in 2020. The multi-vehicle driveway has Belgian block curbing. Taxes are $11,483. Laura A. Bloom, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 631-921-2665.
$499,999
This $499,999 Medford home has three bedrooms. Credit: Courtesy Hajrije Velovic
This newly renovated ranch dating to 1964 offers central air conditioning, granite counters, front-yard lawn sprinklers and new kitchen appliances. The three-bedroom, single-bath home of 1,025 square feet includes a raised back deck, a basement and an attached one-car garage. Taxes are $8,081.48. Hajrije Velovic, IPE Realty, 516-288-1460.
RECENTLY SOLD
$880,000
Syracuse Avenue
Style Victorian
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1998
Lot size 1½ acre
Taxes $15,691
+/- List price +$60,012
Days on market 71
$660,000
Whittier Avenue
Style Expanded ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1985
Lot size 0.38 acre
Taxes $11,370
+/- List price +$40,000
Days on market 83
$470,000
Forrest Avenue
Style Cape
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1930
Lot size 0.18 acre
Taxes $9,346.16
+/- List price +$20,000
Days on market 166
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 35
Price range $260,000 to $999,990
Tax range $4,460 to $17,500
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