Holtsville: Affordability, amenities draw 'newer families'
Visitors enjoy the wildlife at Holtsville Ecology Site and Holtsville Zoo. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
THE SCOOP An enclave of affordable homes, Holtsville has no central shopping district or supermarket but such amenities are only minutes away.
Situated mostly within the Town of Brookhaven and a bit within the Town of Islip, the 7.1-square-mile hamlet of 19,600 is easily accessed via the Long Island Expressway and Nicolls Road, which intersect there. Long Island MacArthur Airport is right next door. While the closest Long Island Rail Road Station is in Ronkonkoma, 12 miles away, that may help explain why Holtsville is in some ways undiscovered: Few other Long Island communities list any two- or even three-bedroom houses for under $500,000.
"The word 'affordable' is still very subjective on Long Island," conceded Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley, 56, of Blue Point, who additionally is the council member representing the town's Fifth District, which includes Holtsville. Still, he added, the relatively low cost of homes has helped make the hamlet "a community that's growing. A lot of newer families, when they're moving into Brookhaven or Suffolk County, really look at Holtsville."
Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve house more than 100 injured or non-releasable animals. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
When they do, they'll find such family-friendly spots as Holtsville Park, with its picnic area, an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise trail and the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve — home to more than 100 injured or non-releasable animals including bobcat, buffalo, bald eagle and black bear, all available for viewing, with tours and interactive displays. The park also is the site of Holtsville's annual Holiday Light Spectacular.
The smaller Woodedge Park has walking and running trails, a playground and a basketball court. Elsewhere in the hamlet, the Suffolk Police Athletic League (PAL) maintains "turf fields for lacrosse, football and baseball," said Foley. Holtsville's volunteer-run Sachem Youth Soccer League boasts 25 fields — including nine "micro" fields for the youngest of the 1,200 children registered to play there.
Woodedge Park features a playground, trails and a basketball court. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Soccer-league chief Jeff Nagel, 52, of nearby Holbrook, said the many opportunities for the sports-minded encourage "a good sense of community within the area, especially within the school district as a whole."
He added, "Between the soccer league, the PAL complex and school sports, the kids play together from a young age. And even when they separate out over time, they wind up back together again, playing at the high school level."
Located within the Sachem Central School District, Holtsville is home to Tamarac Elementary School. Students eventually move on to Sachem High School East, in Farmingdale, or Sachem High School North, in Lake Ronkonkoma. Houses of worship include the Long Island Baptist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
As for getting groceries, there really is a panoply of places within minutes, among them Aldi and ShopRite in Patchogue and King Kullen in Blue Point.
Rockaway Street, top, and Rosedale Street in Holtsville. Credit: Steve Pfost
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are three condos, priced between $399,000 and $419,000, on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Oct. 3, 2023, and Oct. 2, 2024, there were 109 home sales with a median sale price of $535,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 125 home sales with a median sale price of $470,000.
OTHER STATS
Population 19,597
Median age 39.4
Median home value $545,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Ronkonkoma $378
School districts, graduation rates Sachem (92.9%), Patchogue-Medford (85.6%)
Libraries Sachem, Patchogue-Medford
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 53
ON THE MARKET
$850,000
This $850,000 Holtsville home has an inground pool. Credit: Francine Hartley Signature Premier Properties
A roughly 2,600-square-foot Colonial within the Summerfield gated community, this four-bed home offers 2½ baths; a full, partially finished basement; an inground heated pool with outdoor speakers and lighting; and a two-car garage. Summerfield has 24-hour security, a clubhouse, a gym, tennis and basketball courts and a playground. Yearly taxes are $17,009 and the HOA fee is $285. Francine Hartley, Signature Premier Properties, 516-457-0010.
$549,990
This $549,990 Holtsville home has three bedrooms. Credit: Max Masala/VHT Studios
Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this three-bed, 1½-bath farm ranch built in 1967 has an updated eat-in kitchen with quartz countertop, as well as a dining room. The six-room home features a walk-up attic, a brick patio and an attached garage. Taxes are $10,566 annually. Lina Lopes, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-487-3113
$475,000
This $475,000 Holtsville home is nearly 2,700 square feet. Credit: Douglas Elliman
A five-bedroom, three-bath home, this 2,686-square-foot ranch is a lender-owned property being sold as-is. Built in 1961, it has oil heating, vinyl siding and a private driveway, plus a fireplace. Annual taxes are $11,338. Gregory G. Parks, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-375-2757.
RECENTLY SOLD
$950,000
Willowbend Lane
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1999
Lot size 0.26 acre
Taxes $14,895
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 84
$700,000
1st Avenue
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 2001
Lot size 0.53 acre
Taxes $15,206
+/- List price +$50,001
Days on market 80
$457,500
Blossom Avenue
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Built 1934
Lot size 0.34 acre
Taxes $4,324
+/- List price +$32,500
Days on market 50
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 14
Price range $399,000 to $949,900
Tax range $3,540 to $15,875
