Bay Shore

Bay Shore is one of Long Island’s older towns. It occupies twelve square miles along the Great South Bay, with a population of 24,000. Earlier in its history, the town had a vibrant commercial area along Main Street. The arrival of the South Shore Mall in the early 1960s drew shoppers away, sending the village into a slow downward spiral. The decline continued into the 1980s, when efforts began to revitalize the area. Today, many improvements have been made. New housing, parks, shops and cultural organizations have revived the area. The Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce provides support for local businesses.

Bay Shore’s location on the water provides the area with scenic beauty and excellent recreational opportunities. Its Marina Park, which offers sweeping views of the Great South Bay, has a new spray park for kids, along with a pool, restaurant and playground. Bay Shore is the westernmost point for ferry access to the Fire Island National Seashore, which draws visitors from all over the region. The Great South Bay YMCA counts fitness, aquatics, sports, and teen programs among its many offerings.

The school district is ethnically diverse, with a poverty rate of 30%. The district, which has three K-2 schools, two 3-5 schools, one middle school and one high school, offers Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) and full-day kindergarten. Student performance is generally strong on state exams. Two Regents courses are offered at the middle school level, allowing qualified students to begin working towards high school diplomas. Students can choose from a wide range of after-school sports and clubs. The high school participates in the International Baccalaureate program, a rigorous, well-regarded college preparatory program. Twenty-three Advanced Placement courses are taught, so students can begin earning college credits.

Arts and culture are also important to the community. The Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library, operating for about a hundred years, organizes film series, exhibits, and children’s programs. The Boulton Performing Arts Centers is a popular venue for concerts, with many well-known folk and alternative musicians on the roster. The renovated Dr. George S. King Park features a band shell, where concerts are held during the warmer months. Sagtikos Manor, built in 1697, hosted George Washington during his tour of Long Island, and is one of the area’s most treasured landmarks.

Bay Shore offers great affordability, with a large range of prices. At the low end, mobile homes and small capes and ranches help homebuyers with smaller budgets get a foothold into the town. Currently there is a lot of inventory under $200,000. At the high end, waterfront homes and luxury condos dominate, with numerous options in between.