Massapequa

Massapequa is a four-square mile unincorporated area in the Town of Oyster Bay. Technically a hamlet, its 22,000 residents usually refer to it as a town. Sunrise Highway, one of Long Island’s busiest roads, cuts across the middle of Massapequa. However, its residential areas reflect none of the busyness found on the town’s multiple major roads. Homebuyers gravitate to Massapequa for its quiet, residential streets, solid school district and access to parks and recreation. The Long Island Railroad offers an approximately 50-minute commute to Penn Station.
Shopping is plentiful. Westfield Sunrise, formerly known as the Sunrise Mall, is anchored by Sears, Macys’, Wal-Mart and JC Penney, and has over a hundred additional stores and eateries. Additional shopping and dining opportunities are located along Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road. Massapequa is a major shopping destination for southeastern Nassau and southwestern Suffolk residents.

The Massapequa School District is well-regarded, as well as one of the largest in Nassau County with 8,000 students. Overall, student performance on state exams is excellent. Three of the district’s six elementary schools are in Massapequa, and the other three are in the Village of Massapequa Park. Students remain in the elementary schools until the completion of sixth grade; Berner Middle School houses seventh and eighth graders. The district created a unique solution to working with its high school-aged population by creating a campus for ninth graders only. The Ames Campus of Massapequa High School is intended to provide freshman with an easier transition to high school. Approximately 300 students take Advanced Placement exams, and 94% of graduating seniors go on to two-year or four-year colleges.

Residents can take advantage of several parks and recreational activities. The Massapequa State Preserve sits between Massapequa and Massapequa Park, with 423 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Its wetlands provide a habitat for a large variety of wildlife. The Town of Oyster Bay operates parks within and beyond Massapequa, including Tobay Beach, which is for residents only and offers a smaller 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. Oyster Bay Town also organizes recreational activities for residents throughout the year, including baseball, softball, hockey, and races.

Homes can be found at all prices, from $200,000 to $2,000,000. The 2008 financial crisis and its impact on the housing market brought down prices significantly in Massapequa. Though the less expensive homes tend to be smaller or in need of work, there is a large amount of inventory. The larger, pricier homes tend to be located south of Merrick Road, along the canals or on the bay. There is one condominium complex, Seasons, with limited availability. Though it is located in Massapequa, it is located in the neighboring Amityville School District.