Suburbia's birthplace: Levittown living is all about community

THE SCOOP: Of all the communities on Long Island, Levittown -- suburbia's birthplace -- is most iconic. The father of suburbia is developer William Levitt, who produced 17,447 "Levitt" Capes and ranches (without basements) between 1947 and 1951 to sell to World War II veterans and their families.

"He built five models of Capes and five models of ranches," says resident Renee Golub of Century 21 Prevete Real Estate, noting that the developments were built in circles to keep children safe. Most of the homes have since been altered, and the housing stock is eclectic, Golub adds, noting most sit on 60-by-100-foot lots.

Four new houses, more than 3,000 square feet each, are being built on Crocus Lane: Two will be on one-acre lots with a base price of $679,000, while two will be on .3-acre lots and have a base price of $639,000, says listing agent Andrew Libow of RE/MAX Central Properties, noting two houses are in contract.

Touted as a great place to raise kids, Levittown is home to nine community pools and several parks. "There's a huge athletic component," says town spokeswoman Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky, citing sports leagues, including Levittown Red Devils Football and Levittown North Baseball.

Various baseball and softball fields are getting new turf. Four are complete, with Whalen Field and Redwing on the horizon, says Trenkle-Pokalsky. Other town projects include a streetscape program with new brick walks, decorative street lighting and landscaping along Division Avenue and a nearby portion of Hempstead Turnpike.

The town also has been working with developers to bring in new commerce, Trenkle-Pokalsky says. Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology will occupy a new building being constructed on Hempstead Turnpike, west of Gardiners Avenue. Hempstead Turnpike is also home to a multitude of retailers, eateries and services.

Major highways are easily accessible as well, says resident Richard Claiborne of Century 21 American Homes.

CONDOS: Three listed between $165,000 and $279,000

SALES PRICE: From Aug. 1, 2013, to Sept. 20, 2014, there were 366 sales with a median price of $330,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low was $160,000 for a short sale and the high was $565,000. From 2012 to 2013, during the same time period, there were 333 sales. The median price was $310,000 with a low of $177,500 for a short sale and a high of $600,000.

ATTRACTIONS: Levittown Historical Museum.

MORE LEVITTOWN STATS

Town: Hempstead

Area: 6.9 square miles

ZIP code: 11756

Population: 51,881

Median age: 40.8

Median household income: $97,675

Median home value: $345,000*

LIRR time to NYC: From Wantagh, 46 minutes to 58 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $276

School district: Most students attend Levittown; others go to Island Trees.

SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlslI.com; LIRR;

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI