East Massapequa

East Massapequa is a hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, and part of the greater area known as “The Massapequas.” Its population is approximately 20,000. It shares a zip code, library and fire district with Massapequa.

The Southern State Parkway forms the community’s northern border. Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road run parallel to the parkway, offering easy access to neighboring town, along with numerous shopping and dining option. Two LIRR stations provide service to Manhattan. Residents in the easternmost part of East Massapequa will find they are closer to the Amityville station, though permits through the Village of Amityville are required. Town of Oyster Bay permits are required to park at Massapequa.

Westfield Sunrise, formerly the Sunrise Mall, is located in East Massapequa, and draws shoppers from all over the surrounding areas. Shopping is abundant in the Massapequas, and situated primarily along Sunrise Highway. The area is also home to numerous restaurants, both franchise and independently owned.

East Massapequa has excellent recreational activities, within the hamlet and in surrounding areas. The Town of Oyster Bay operates facilities and programs for residents. Tobay Beach, located on the Massapequa shore, offers a smaller, cozier alternative to Jones Beach. Burns Park offers the only public boat launch, along with 52 acres with athletic facilities and a play area for children. Marjorie Post Park is a 42-acre facility with a playground, tennis, handball and basketball courts and a skating rink. East Massapequa is also home to the Peninsula Golf Club, a public 9-hole course.

Students in East Massapequa are split among three area school districts: Farmingdale, Massapequa and Amityville. Farmingdale serves a small number of students in the northernmost part of the hamlet, with four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. This year, the district was cited by the state as needing improvement in English Language Arts at all levels. The Massapequa School District is one of Nassau’s largest. The district’s size has led to some unique organizational strategies for its 8,000 students. Students remain in elementary school through sixth grade, then move on to Berner Middle School. Massapequa High School has two campuses, a ninth grade building and a 10-12 building. Academic performance is strong across the district, and 94% of graduating seniors continue to two- or four-year colleges. Students who live east of Carmans Road attend the Amityville Public Schools, which have approximately 3,000 students, three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Though academic performance pales in comparison to the other two districts, scores have been improving across the district. The high school has strong athletic programs, and offers college credit through Advanced Placement courses and collaboration with Syracuse University.

Most residents don’t specifically seek out East Massapequa, as real estate offices don’t distinguish between there and Massapequa. Generally, there is always a large amount of inventory in the entire greater Massapequa area, with a wide range of prices. Since 2008, home prices have dropped significantly, though taxes remain high. The least expensive homes are generally found in the Amityville school district, though prices there vary widely as well.