Seaford

Seaford is a hamlet of 15,000 in the Town of Hempstead. Located on Nassau County’s southern shore between Wantagh and Massapequa, it has 2.6 square miles.

The town was initially settled by the Marsapeaques, a Native American tribe. Later, settlers from England arrived, including Captain John Seaman, whose name was given to a school, a street and a park. No one is certain about the origin of the town’s name. During the town’s early days, vacationers retreated to Seaford to enjoy its proximity to the water. In 1929, Sunrise Highway was built, which led to more people moving to the area. After World War II, an especially large influx of new residents moved in, many from Brooklyn.

Though Seaford has no direct beach access, it’s very close to Jones Beach, in neighboring Wantagh. Seaman’s Neck Park is located on the water, and has a fishing pier, playing fields, a sprinkler park, and other amenities. Tackapausa Museum is a county-owned facility offering educational programs, with a wildlife sanctuary, walking trails, ponds, stream and swamps. Cedar Creek Park has 259 acres, located partially in Seaford. In 2006, its playground was voted “Long Island’s Best” by the Long Island Press. Along with playing fields and tennis and basketball courts, the park has a year-round roller rink and an archery range. In addition, Seaford residents can take advantage of any of the Town of Hempstead’s 90 parks. The Town’s Recreation Department also organizes the Children’s Summer Festival, which is held at parks throughout the town, putting on performances and educational programs.

The Seaford UFSD serves 2,600 students in four schools: Seaford Manor Elementary, Seaford Harbor Elementary, Seaford Middle School and Seaford High School. Student performance on state exams is generally strong. The high school offers Advanced Placement courses in 14 subjects, including computer science, art and foreign language.

Seaford’s location gives residents easy access to shopping, dining and mass transit. The town has a great selection of restaurants, located mainly on Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway, along with retail shops and other businesses. Sunrise Mall, in nearby Massapequa, has many national and chain retailers and restaurants. The Long Island Rail Road provides direct service to Seaford on the Babylon branch. Travel time to Penn Station is about fifty minutes. Its location is also convenient to Long Island’s major highways, primarily the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway.

Though home prices have decreased in recent years, homes are still relatively expensive. Because Seaford has minimal industry, the residents carry much of the tax burden. Homes located near canals and waterways tend to be more expensive, though there are house at a range of prices. In 2011, the median home price was $415,000.

Seaford is a popular choice for home-buyers looking for a friendly community, with excellent schools and a great location for commuters.