Plainedge

House-hunters who wish to reside in Plainedge, a community of 8,800 people in the Town of Oyster Bay, may find themselves challenged in their searching, because there is no town or village with that name. It does not have its own post office. Technically, it is a census-designated place, consisting largely of parts of Massapequa, North Massapequa and Bethpage, with smaller part of Seaford and Farmingdale. The community, which occupies about a square mile and a half, was once called Turkeyville. Before the post-war building boom of the 1950s, it was largely open fields, where raising poultry was a profitable industry.

The Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, one of Nassau County’s larger highways, cuts through the area, providing access to the Northern and Southern States, and the LIE. Hempstead Turnpike serves as the primary commercial center, with numerous shops and dining establishments, along with St. Joseph Hospital. Bus routes run on other routes besides the Turnpike, including Hicksville Road and Boundary Avenue. Depending on where in the community commuters live, the Long Island Rail Road can be accessed at Bethpage, Farmingdale or Seaford.

Plainedge does not have any major parks within its borders, but it still enjoys close proximity to pools, parks and beaches. Allen Park, in Farmingdale, is currently being expanded from its 15-acre area, which includes a play area and sports fields. To the south, Massapequa State Preserve offers 423 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Its wetlands provide a habitat for a large variety of wildlife. Bethpage State Park receives recognition for its world-class golf courses, which have twice hosted U.S. Open Golf Championships. Bethpage Community Park and Marjorie Post Park, in Massapequa, have pools. The Town of Oyster Bay operates Tobay Beach, a small ocean beach for residents only.

Shopping options in the area are mainly located along the Turnpike and Hicksville Road. Westfield Sunrise, formerly the Sunrise Mall, provides a large shopping-mall experience, featuring many well-known large and small stores.

The Plainedge School District educates approximately 3,500 students in three K-5 elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district is generally regarded as strong, with test scores at all levels to prove it. Plainedge High School boasts an award-winning robotics team, and a strong athletics program. Its varsity baseball team won the County and Long Island championships this year; its varsity softball team won the County championship. College credits can be earned though a dozen Advanced Placement courses, as well as collaborations with area colleges.

Nearly all of Plainedge’s housing inventory was constructed during the 1950s and 1960s. Prices vary widely. The community is affordable, with many single-family options in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. One condominium community, Bethpage Landing, was built in 2011, with prices in the low $300,00s. The majority of homes are in Bethpage, Massapequa and North Massapequa, with a few homes located in Farmingdale and Seaford.