West Islip

West Islip is an unincorporated area whose borders spill into two larger Suffolk County Towns: Islip and Babylon. The area, where the Secatogue Indians once roamed, was sparsely populated and largely undeveloped until the demand for housing swept through Nassau County and into Suffolk. West Islip grew exponentially between the 1950s and 1970s to its current population of 30,000.

Sunrise Highway and Montauk Highway pass through West Islip. Most of its shopping opportunities are located here and along Union Boulevard. A short ride in either direction brings shoppers to two large malls, Sunrise Mall in Massapequa and South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. Both malls are anchored by major department stores and include many additional smaller retailers. The hamlet has an excellent library, with a large collection of items for lending. The West Islip Symphony, which puts on major concerts throughout the year, provides a great cultural opportunity for residents.

The hamlet’s location near the water makes boating and beach-going popular recreational activities. West Islip Beach, on Great South Bay, provides one option. The Robert Moses Causeway passes through West Islip, providing easy access to Robert Moses State Park, an ocean beach, and Captree State Park, which is popular with fisherman. Swimmers who prefer pools will enjoy Casamento Park, a 14 acre space which also has tennis, handball and basketball courts. Playgrounds can be found at Carnation Park, Keith Lane Park and Parkway Lawns. A community center provides a location for senior activities and town events.

The West Islip School District educates 5,600 students. There are four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The school district is generally well-regarded, with strong student performance on state exams. Graduation rates at the high school are around 98%. Students who are interested in Advanced Placement courses have a large variety to choose from. West Islip’s varsity lacrosse team has won the New York State Championships during four out of the last seven years. Parents who are interested in parochial school may be interested in St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, which has an excellent reputation, and draws students from all over the area.

House-hunters will find a wide range of prices. The most expensive homes tend to be located on or near the water, while more affordable homes can be found inland. Splits, ranches, capes and colonials comprise the bulk of West Islip’s inventory. In relative terms, the majority of homes are relatively new, constructed during the 1960s and 1970s.