Buying in Malverne

THE SCOOP: In the market for a cohesive community? The village of Malverne is worth exploring. Many residents seem to share an infinite affection for this place they call home.

"It's a beautiful community," says Mayor Patricia Norris McDonald, who grew up here. "The people who live here are generous and supporting - to each other and to the merchants," McDonald explains.

And community organizations such as the Malverne Merchants and Professional Association sponsor events and donate money to various organizations, says Phillip Greenblatt, owner of Village Plaza Realty.

The village has its own police department, along with parks, eateries, a downtown district, an independent movie theater and two train stations - Malverne and Westwood. "What's really nice is you can walk to just about everything," says Anne Coffey, a longtime resident and owner of Malverne Realty.

Grossmann's Farm on Hempstead and Ocean avenues, soon to be owned by Nassau County, will remain as open space, McDonald says.

As for housing, Colonials, Capes and Tudors are popular, though a few ranches, split-ranches and high-ranches exist. Taxes tend to be high because there's no industry to absorb them, Coffey says, though she notes folks return to Malverne knowing that.

SALES PRICE: According to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, there were 71 sales in 2009. The median price was $385,000. The low was $235,000 and the high was $605,000. In 2008, there were 64 sales with a median price of $438,500. The low was $295,000 and the high was $685,000.

ATTRACTIONS: There are plenty of events, plus every holiday is a celebration, says Coffey. Even Groundhog Day, when Malverne Mel saw his shadow, attracted about 200 people. The holiday tree lighting is a major event with such things as horse and buggy rides.

OTHER STATS:

Town: Hempstead

Area: 1.1 square miles

ZIP code: 11565

Population: 8,753

Median age: 44.2

Median household income: $105,912

Median home value: $371,814*

Median age of homes: 58

Percent owning home: 91.8 percent

Percent renting home: 5.8 percent

Percent homes vacant: 1.4 percent

LIRR time to NYC: 42 to 46 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $204

School districts: Malverne and Valley Stream. Our Lady of Lourdes and Grace Lutheran School are also in Malverne

SOURCES: Claritas 2009; www.mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road

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