Buying in Riverhead: Farms, vineyards, LI Aquarium draw homebuyers

Toni Sabatini, left, and Harry Torres enjoy a day at... — Toni Sabatini, left, and Harry Torres enjoy a day at Roanoke Vineyards on Sound Avenue in Riverhead. Credit: Rick Kopstein

By Ellen YanSpecial to NewsdayUpdated September 25, 2023

THE SCOOP A sprawling hamlet with a multifaceted community, Riverhead is home to government agencies, festivals like the Cardboard Boat Race on the Peconic River and a downtown seeking a full comeback.

"Riverhead provides both the feeling of a suburban town as well as being surrounded by farmland and nature," said real estate agent Chrisand Castella at Douglas Elliman.

Downtown's Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. Last year, the Downtown Riverhead Historic Trail debuted with QR codes that allow people to hear about the old buildings and businesses.

Riverhead's downtown area is on the National Register of Historic... — Riverhead's downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Credit: Rick Kopstein

East Main Street in Riverhead is home to the historic... — East Main Street in Riverhead is home to the historic Suffolk Theatre. Credit: Rick Kopstein

While the life of the hamlet plays out downtown, the northern part retains the quiet of the area's rural past, with farms and homes bordering the Long Island Sound.

The Long Island Aquarium draws outsiders, as do a host of summertime fairs, from a Polish fair to car and art shows. A walking trail follows the Peconic's banks, where kayakers can take a break from enjoying nature at a waterside restaurant.

Riverhead's downtown is home to walking paths along the Peconic... — Riverhead's downtown is home to walking paths along the Peconic River, the Long Island Aquarium and local businesses. Credit: Rick Kopstein

Cindy Clifford, who has lived in Riverhead 42 years, describes the hamlet as a "composite" of types of communities: beachfronts, farmland, commercial with big box chains and established neighborhoods where homes reflect architecture of several eras.

The hamlet has been in a state of change, which has affected the housing stock, according to local residents like Clifford, who cofounded Heart of Riverhead Civic Association. Farmlands are being replaced by multimillion-dollar residences on large lots. Homes are turned into summer-only residences. Houses are converted into offices by businesses.

The northern area of Riverhead is home to farms, like... — The northern area of Riverhead is home to farms, like this one on Roanoke Avenue. Credit: Rick Kopstein

Roanoke Vineyards is nestled in the more rural northern area... — Roanoke Vineyards is nestled in the more rural northern area of Riverhead. Credit: Rick Kopstein

Local groups have been trying for years to address empty storefronts, housing affordability and homelessness. The Alive on 25 summer festivals along Route 25 Main Street were launched to attract tourism. In the past few years, more affordable housing has gone up but to mixed reviews.

Castella said house hunters are drawn to nearby entertainment and recreation, including golf courses, state parks and vineyards. Riverhead is a walkable community, she said, and buyers see prices that are affordable compared to North and South forks.

Homes along Joyce Drive, top, and Nadel Drive in Riverhead. Credit: Rick Kopstein

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are four condos on the market, priced between $489,000 and $630,000.

SALE PRICES Between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 30, 2023, there were 163 home sales with a median sale price of $699,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $20,000 and the high was $2.1 million. During that period a year earlier there were 226 home sales with a median sale price of $405,000. The price range was $40,000 to $2.4 million.

OTHER STATS

Town Riverhead

Area 15.09 square miles

ZIP code 11901

Population 14,315

Median age 43

Median household income $63,977

Median home value $405,000

Monthly LIRR ticket from Riverhead $450

School district, graduation rate Riverhead (79.2%)

Parks Indian Island County Park, Stotzky Memorial Park

Library Riverhead

Hospitals Peconic Bay Medical Center

Transit Suffolk County Transit Routes 8A, 58, 62, 66, 92

Sources: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov

ON THE MARKET

$2.3 million

This farmhouse-style house sits on five acres, minutes from the Long Island Sound and wine country. It has a gourmet kitchen, den, two bedrooms and a sitting room attached to the master suite. A one-car garage separates the main quarters from a large workshop and legal two-bed apartment. trim for printThe property has a whole house generator and a 50-foot-wide, insulated barn with three bays.end trim Taxes are $19,805. Rita Rooney, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-833-0810

$829,000

This three-bed, 1½-bath ranch borders the Peconic River and sits blocks from the Long Island Aquarium and historic downtown. Built in 1972, the property has a private dock, unfinished basement and two-car garage. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the sunroom give a panoramic view of the water, marshes and docked boats. Taxes are $9,010. Chrisand Castella, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-662-7164

$489,000

This two-bedroom condo is on a cul-de-sac in the pet-friendly, gated community of Sunken Pond Estates and overlooks the development’s green grounds. Built in 2005, the 1,600-square-foot townhouse has a deck off the dining room, smart thermostat, central air and one-car garage. Taxes are $5,161 and maintenance fee is $535 a month. Helen Munro, 631-727-3713, Bagshaw Real Estate

RECENTLY SOLD

$410,000

Amen Corners

Style Townhouse Condo

Bedrooms 2

Bathrooms 2

Built 2005

Lot size 0.2 acre

Taxes $5,245

+/- List price -$29,000

Days on market 274

$500,000