Centrally located Syosset with shopping, dining in easy reach
Stores and restaurants line Jackson Avenue in Syosset's shopping district near the train station. Credit: Danielle Silverman
THE SCOOP In Syosset, “all of your shopping and dining needs are nearby, along with picturesque parks, beaches, hiking, and biking trails for outdoor adventures,” says Linda Freedman, an agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, adding that the hamlet was recently ranked as the fourth best place to raise a family in the metropolitan area by Niche.com, a college and community ranking site.
Syosset is home to the Nassau BOCES Long Island High School For the Arts, which received a boost from the Billy Joel Foundation of $1 million six years ago and $1.5 million last winter.
Homes on North Street. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Originally a hunting ground of the Matinecocks, Syosset may have gotten its name from “suwasset,” a Native American word meaning “place in the pines.” By the mid-18th century the area had morphed into a farming community and in time, businesses opened, including a hotel in 1824.
Thirty years later, the Long Island Rail Road connected the hamlet to Hicksville. When trying to elude well-wishers, President Theodore Roosevelt was known to occasionally disembark there and make the rest of his stealthy journey on horseback through the woods to Sagamore Hill.
A commercial district sprang up around the station along Jackson Avenue, with more shops and restaurants coming later to Jericho Turnpike.
The Celebrity Diner on Jericho Turnpike is a popular gathering spot. Credit: Danielle Silverman
After World War II farms disappeared as land was sold to developers who put up mostly split-levels, with prices ranging today from $550,000 for a small ranch or Cape to $3.5 million for new construction on a 2-acre parcel.
Soon to be home to a 200,000-square-foot Amazon warehouse on the former site of Cerro Wire, Syosset is attractive for its central location, as well as the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course and Syosset/Woodbury Community Park, with an ice skating rink, pool, preschool and free summer concerts, says Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca.
Robbins Lane Community Park. Credit: Danielle Silverman
“It’s a great community,” says LaMarca, who notes that Syosset has been home to actors Natalie Portman and Idina Menzel and sportscasters Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Howie Rose.
A view of Church Street. Credit: Danielle Silverman
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are three condos on the market, ranging in price from $659,000 to $928,000.
SALE PRICES Between May 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022, there were 325 home sales with a median sale price of $915,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $501,000 and the high was $3.725 million. During that period a year earlier there were 330 home sales with a median sale price of $800,000. The price range was $275,000 to $2.098 million.
OTHER STATS
Town Oyster Bay
Area 4.97 square miles
ZIP code 11791
Population 19,259
Median age 42.8
Median household income $161,029
Median home value $937,500
Monthly LIRR ticket from Syosset $277
School districts, graduation rates Syosset, 98%, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, 89%
Parks Town of Oyster Bay neighborhood parklets
Libraries Syosset, Oyster Bay-East Norwich
Hospital Syosset Hospital
Transit NICE Route 79
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2019 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $2.288 million, this Colonial is on 1 acre in Sagamore Estates. Credit: Homedia Group/Steve Booke
$2.288 million
Set on an acre in Sagamore Estates, this 4,594-square-foot Colonial built in 2016 features six bedrooms, 5½ bathrooms, wide-planked floors, a double-height family room, custom kitchen with butler’s pantry, primary suite with coffered ceiling, and an unfinished basement with a 9-foot ceiling. Taxes are $54,568. Linda Freedman, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-921-2262.
Priced at $1.595 million, this Colonial on Split Rock Road features a library with custom bookcases. Credit: Jump Visual/Andrea Licostie
$1.595 million
This 3,236-square-foot Colonial built in 1970 has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, hardwood floors, a large kitchen and a library with custom cherry bookcases and wood-burning fireplace. The 1-acre fenced-in property has perennial gardens, a swimming pool and slate patio. Taxes are $28,494; a sale is pending. Tricia Shannon, Compass Greater NY, 516-517-4866.
Priced at $929,000, this ranch on Syosset-Woodbury Road is near Stillwell Woods Park. Credit: Coldwell Banker American Homes
$929,000
Near Stillwell Woods Park, this renovated 2,175-square-foot expanded ranch built in 1958 has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are new, high ceilings, hardwood floors, a wood-paneled dining room and new vinyl siding. The 0.46-acre fenced-in property features a new circular driveway and a two-car detached garage with a greenhouse. Taxes are $22,768. Sukumar Haldar, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 516-864-8100.
RECENTLY SOLD
$2.899 million
Westgate Rd.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 4½
Built 2017
Lot size 0.8 acre
Taxes $49,693
+/- List price -$100,000
Days on market 65
$960,000
Evelyn Dr.
Style Split level
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 3
Built 1954
Lot size 0.16 acre
Taxes $16,389
+/- List price +$71,000
Days on market 42
$678,000
Willets Dr.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1954
Lot size 0.13 acre
Taxes $13,496
+/- List price +$30,000
Days on market 53
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 58
Price range $659,000 to $2.6 million
Tax range $11,804 to $54,568
