East Moriches: Affordability, proximity to Hamptons, wineries are draws

East Moriches is nestled between bigger communities along Moriches Bay and... — East Moriches is nestled between bigger communities along Moriches Bay and is a haven for boaters. Credit: Tom Lambui

By Stacey AltherrSpecial to NewsdayUpdated October 28, 2024 5:29 am

THE SCOOP Nestled between Center Moriches and Eastport along the Moriches Bay, East Moriches is a small community that shares shopping and entertainment with its close neighbors.

With a population of about 5,580 residents in its 5.6 square miles, East Moriches has its own elementary school district, but students then attend a neighboring high school, either Westhampton Beach, Eastport or Center Moriches.

"It's a quaint town," said Anna Fiore of Fiore Real Estate Sales Corp. "It's affordable, and has great beaches and boating nearby. It's close to many great restaurants, too."

Fiore noted the community's proximity to the Hamptons and Smith Point Beach, as well as Tanger Outlets and East End wineries.

For homes in the Newport Beach area of town, residents have a private beach with a playground and a marina with slips and boat ramps. Residents in the Newport Beach area pay $150 membership annually.

Timberpoint Lane, top, and Valley Drive in East Moriches. Credit: Tom Lambui

Natalie A. Lewis, real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Reliable Real Estate noted that the oldest fishing station on the East Coast, called Silly Lily, is in East Moriches, where residents and tourists can rent boats for fishing or fun.

Restaurants and boutiques dot the Main Street of East Moriches and Center Moriches. Celebrated restaurant ITA Kitchen Waterfront sits on Atlantic Avenue along the water.

Silly Lily Fishing Station has been in existence since 1932,... — Silly Lily Fishing Station has been in existence since 1932, according to their website. Credit: Tom Lambui

During the 1920s, an early radio station was installed at the east end of Smith Street in East Moriches which was used to communicate with ships offshore. The radio waves interfered with popular radio programs at the time, so a group of residents, calling themselves the Suffolk County Radio Protective League, protested. The Independent Wireless Company, which housed the station where the spark transmitter was used in ship communications, agreed to keep silent during primetime shows. The radio station is gone now, but the area is still known as Radio Point.

East Moriches became national news when, during the summer of 1996, frantic calls came into Suffolk County 911 reporting a plane explosion, which was TWA Flight 800 over the skies of the community. A park dedicated to those lost, Flight 800 Memorial Park on Kahlers Pond, has a picnic area and children's playground.

Montauk Highway is home to small shops and eateries in... — Montauk Highway is home to small shops and eateries in East Moriches. Credit: Tom Lambui

SALE PRICES Between Oct. 3, 2023, and Oct. 2, 2024, there were 38 home sales with a median sale price of $750,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 24 home sales with a median sale price of $757,119.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are two condos, priced at $715,000 and $719,000, on the market.

OTHER STATS

Population 5,581

Median age 47.2

Median home value $750,000

Monthly LIRR ticket from Mastic-Shirley or Speonk $433

School districts, graduation rates Center Moriches (94.8%), Eastport-South Manor (96.2%), Westhampton Beach (89.2%)

Libraries Center Moriches, Westhampton, Riverhead

Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 66

Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov

ON THE MARKET

$1.8 million

The custom home built in 2017 sits on over 1 acre of waterfront property with water views from many of the rooms. The home, with five beds and 4½ baths, has an exercise room, large eat-in kitchen, 12-foot cathedral ceilings and wide plank hardwood flooring with radiant heating. Outside is a large in-ground pool, outdoor kitchen and deck spanning the length of the house. Annual taxes are $23,703. Natalie A. Lewis, Coldwell Banker Reliable Real Estate, 516-982-9572

$789,500

Originally built in 1965, the renovated expanded ranch and property has three bedrooms and 1½ bathrooms, as well as a large eat-in kitchen, indoor bar, formal dining room and living room. Outside, the home has an oversized pool with a large expanded outdoor kitchen, eating area under a roof and a water feature on 1.5 acres. Annual taxes are $11,453. Alice Bruno McNally and Michael DellAccio, Century21AA Realty, 516-826-8100.

RECENTLY SOLD

$1.585 million

Inlet View Path

Style Post modern

Bedrooms 6

Bathrooms 4½

Built 1988

Lot size 1.73 acre

Taxes $24,211

+/- List price -$210,000

Days on market 52

$800,000