Cultural Life on North Shore-North Fork of Long Island (Ridge: how much, houses)

[jenbooks13]

Jr prof, thanks, I think you understand my worry. The convenience of having, nearby, some stimulating folks would be great. Even if I don't do it regularly, the idea I could take a quick drive to have lunch with someone in the arts or sciences, my two faves, would matter. Clamboy (who is a local treasure trove of good info) points out folks out there to get away from it all and that's true--I would be seeking some peace, quiet, the ocean nearby etc. When you say stay around the Stonybrook area is MP/SB/RP close enough? I remember some post on this site about it being about 15 minute drive by the "back way" whatever that way is. Because Stonybrook looks out of my price range for the effort of leaving the city (I.e. I don't want to leave a good situation in NYC and transport myself to a mediocre tiny house that needs TLC).

I don't know what "Old Field" is or "Poquott". I'll google. This thread and the others on this site have been VERY useful!

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

I know little of this Up-islander phenomenon, and would venture to guess that aside from a handful of posters on this board and a few older scientists from the Brookhaven hey days, you will most likely never be refused service at some local watering hole because you somehow exude a "west of Jamesport" aura.

For the OP, if you are heading this far out, stay around Stony Brook and the university community. There are a number of artist enclaves and areas of creativity throughout Old Field and Poquott and of course surrounding the university itself. I get your struggle. I went to NYU, and everything is an adjustment (yeah, I am one of those guys Clamboy). Also, the old LIU campus in Southhampton used to run great writer's programs year-round and I believe it is back on now that the Stony Brook transition is over. Good luck to you.

[jenbooks13]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Bouncing off ya, Clamboy to give something of a response to Jenbooks13.

Jenbooks13 -- Mr. CB has given you an idea as to some of the culture that is either within or a short hop from the SUNY SB area. I am not going to relist his list -- it was very good and comprehensive.

Many people within the community take advantage of the Arts facilities on campus; there are many professional music, dance and theatre groups as well as acrobatics and such fare as Cirque de Soleil (sp?), and an incredible film festival every summer.

Within the community there is Gallery North, which is a small local gallery that has been in existence for over 40 years. The main focus of the Gallery has been to provide Long Island based artists with a venue that highlights their talents. There are several festivals each year that are fantastic and involve closing down the streets.

I have friends and clients who are provosts, deans, admins and adjuncts at SUNYSB and others who are affiliated with Renaissance Technologies, surgeons, doctors and department heads at the local hospitals (UHSB, ST Charles, Mather, St Catherine.) To give you some idea as to what people do:

*Are active in the Three Village Historical Society. It is a very large chapter that has received an award from the History Channel for in depth research within the community. Our annual house tour is 11/30-12/1. It's worth checking out if you're in the area. Tickets/programs must be purchased in advance. homepage
*Take part in the local civics (very strong civic association)
*Enjoy the varied performing arts offerings and art displays at the University
*Head into Port Jeff to catch a play, dinner or to bar hop!
*Head into Huntington for the Cinema Arts Centre, dinner or to bar hop!
*Form book/reading clubs
*Enjoy the offerings of the local Neighborhood house (yoga classes, writing workshops, dance classes, etc.) The Setauket Neighborhood House
*Shoot darts at the Checkmate (yes, local folks, the Checkmate has become rather diverse!)
*Travel into NYC for Bway, the Met, etc.
*Are active in the local Ducks Unlimited Chapter
*There is an equestrian center that is in the process of being rebuilt and preserved. Are you hands on people?
* Join in on the Greening committees for the local parks and train station
* Protest the War in Iraq! Saturday mornings the North Country Peace Group protests the war -- the are at North Country Rd & Bennetts.
*Have dinner clubs where we meet at different restaurants.
*Belong to car clubs
*Belong to running clubs, cycling clubs

This area is great because there is a strong undercurrent of civic, historic & local pride -- and this feeling is not exclusive to the Stony Brook/Setauket area -- Mr. CB is a passionate cheerleader for Rocky Point, an area that is dear to me as I had lived there for a while and was happy as a clam (sorry Clamboy, couldn't help myself )

I am assuming that you're in your twenties. Once out here and on campus, you will discover a world of activities at your doorstep and new social networking outlets to discover. Many people go to check out live music and jazz in Port Jeff and there's a funky little coffee house in St James that has an open mic night with many fantastic local musicians. You can assure your significant other that the Three Village area is not a cultural morass.

Please feel free to message me privately for more detailed info.

Good luck with everything.

I will PM you. I knew you would come through! This list plus clamboy's is great. I'll copy this into a word document.

No, I'm not in my 20's . You may think that because of the price range I'm looking at, but I'm actually a baby boomer. So it's the opposite of, starting life in a new place it's more like, have had a great run in NYC but the citylife is less and less appealing to me, the noise noise noise, the nightlife etc., and its kind of gone global-corporate. Tons of new construction. Its slicker, more international. Given that I'm a writer by profession I need to stay in the vicinity of NYC to stay in touch with my editors and colleagues...I have fantasized moving to the southwest but it would be a bad career move, people need to see you for lunch from time to time...but I can't stand "suburbs" per se, ie developments, or manicured lawns one after the other with sidewalks, the kind of thing I grew up in. There has to be a little bit of a town-y feel for me. The area clamboy directed me to definitely has that in many neighborhoods. I like a neighborhood that grew up organically over a long time, and each house is its own personality. I do adjunct at a university in the city so I should reach out to Stonybrook. I'll PM you later. Thanks.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by jenbooks13

Jr prof, thanks, I think you understand my worry. The convenience of having, nearby, some stimulating folks would be great. Even if I don't do it regularly, the idea I could take a quick drive to have lunch with someone in the arts or sciences, my two faves, would matter. Clamboy (who is a local treasure trove of good info) points out folks out there to get away from it all and that's true--I would be seeking some peace, quiet, the ocean nearby etc. When you say stay around the Stonybrook area is MP/SB/RP close enough? I remember some post on this site about it being about 15 minute drive by the "back way" whatever that way is. Because Stonybrook looks out of my price range for the effort of leaving the city (I.e. I don't want to leave a good situation in NYC and transport myself to a mediocre tiny house that needs TLC).

I don't know what "Old Field" is or "Poquott". I'll google. This thread and the others on this site have been VERY useful!

I dont think JrP understood your budget.

Old Field/Poquott would be completely out of reach.
(They are the weathier old money areas of Setauket)
Heres the cheapest in Old Field
MLSLI.com - Find a Home

You can probably get a cottage in Poquott in the 5s.
It may be a decent place to rent though.


SB is 15-20 mins away form the MP/SB/RP/Ridge area


C

[jenbooks13]

Originally Posted by clamboy

I dont think JrP understood your budget.

Old Field/Poquott would be completely out of reach.
(They are the weathier old money areas of Setauket)
Heres the cheapest in Old Field
MLSLI.com - Find a Home

You can probably get a cottage in Poquott in the 5s.
It may be a decent place to rent though.


SB is 15-20 mins away form the MP/SB/RP/Ridge area


C

Ay yay yay, definitely way beyond my budget
A 15 minute drive is okay by me (to SB)
Why are Poquott and Old Field considered artsy?

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by clamboy

I didnt know that the prices in 3v came down so much...I didnt mean to scare anyone ,its was just when I looked @ SB/N of 25a there wasnt a whole lot of options.

I grew up in Strathmore(The Devon Ranch...I think there was 3 choices of house there) and loved it but those neighborhoods are looking a little long in the tooth now, plus I have noticed quite a bit of illegal rentals. Its like everyones garage has suddenly become an apartment.

I just think that considering you can can be waterview in the 3s in Sound Beach/Rocky Point, its tough to beat whe you're only a short ride up North Country to SUNY.


That is sound advice on renting.
Maybe they could find something down by West Meadow or out here for a while until theyre ready to commit.


Trust me on Bliss,
Have the Pot Roast and Gorgonzola Salad.
The Chef used to come out and sing opera too.

Awesome

C

Re-reading my post after a cup of java, you've made me aware that I wasn't very clear and you're right -- N of 25A it's slim pickens in the 400 range but there is an occasional fixer-upper to be had. S of 25A there is more available -- the S section still commands a bit of a premium, but in the rest of the alphabet soup, yes, homes have started to slip into the 400s. An interested buyer would be looking at dated kitchens and baths, but a serviceable home.

The ride up North Country isn't bad, but some folks prefer 'immediate gratification' as opposed to a nice, scenic ride. (BTW I use NCRd all the time to go between SB & RP, it's my ride of choice.) Again the OP is coming from the city, she will know which category she and her SO fall into.

The rentals, for the most part, are SUNY rentals. (N of 25A you'll find fewer SUNY rentals and more whole house or cottage rentals.) They are all over the 3Vs, it's just in the alphabet sections they are more prevalent, apparent (properties close to the street) and desirable (close proximity.) It's a combo of a few things: having SUNY as a neighbor, SUNY not having enough dorm space or grad housing and people who bought houses they couldn't afford with ridiculous mortgages.

Honestly -- how many areas out there don't have rental apartments? We can tick off maybe a few $$$$ areas -- but what's not to say that a pool house on an estate has been converted to living space? . The areas from SB to RP all have rental (legal or illegal) apartments. It's a fact of life out here as there is a lack of affordable housing.

Which brings us back to $400K -- having purchased my home for a lot less a long while ago (after much scrimping and saving) I don't know how people are pulling it off today without a big $ career or else tenants.

[jenbooks13]

Hi--what are the "alphabet sections"?
I probably don't want to move south of 25A. If I'm going to compromise because of price, I'd be okay driving 15 minutes to SU...I also want to be close to the beach. Daily life might include a walk or quick drive to the beach. Weekly, I might want to enjoy the university environs...
This thread has been GREAT and has so much good info.
Renting is wise but I don't want to....don't want to move more than once...

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by jenbooks13

Hi--what are the "alphabet sections"?
I probably don't want to move south of 25A. If I'm going to compromise because of price, I'd be okay driving 15 minutes to SU...I also want to be close to the beach. Daily life might include a walk or quick drive to the beach. Weekly, I might want to enjoy the university environs...
This thread has been GREAT and has so much good info.
Renting is wise but I don't want to....don't want to move more than once...

Thats the Strathmore area I referred to above.

If memory serves its the B,H,M,S,O,P Sections
(Where the roads all begin with one of the Letters above)
Some consider A,Fox Run and University Heights in the mix too.

Basically slab homes.
Its nice ...but its the hears tof the burbs.

Youll find accessory apartments in the garages there etc.
Cant say I blame em since they are being taxed out of their homes.
Its really the last piece of working class SB left.

I dont think its what youre looking for but of them all I prefer the H since its closest to SUNY and the furthest North.

I lived in the M/H and O as a kid
It was nice.

Best

C

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by jenbooks13

Ay yay yay, definitely way beyond my budget
A 15 minute drive is okay by me (to SB)
Why are Poquott and Old Field considered artsy?

Fartsy yes...artsy no.

Its not like its East Hampton or Woodstock.

It just has money.



C

[clamboy]

Wish I had extra money.
THis is an absolute steal.

MLSLI.com - Find a Home


This will be a 4000 sft post modern waterfront shortly.
They'll leave one wall up so its tecnically an "extension"and not new contruction to beat the taxes.
Gotta love Crookhaven


Not too many left like this on a dead end near the water.

C

[jenbooks13]

Right near the water & your fave beach...
You could go take a look and report back to us for the heck of it...
How much would taxes go up if you left up a wall and rebuilt, as opposed to tearing down and building brand new?

FYI, thread folks, clamboy found this one:

MLSLI.com - Find a Home

Wish I could buy it.

Originally Posted by clamboy

Wish I had extra money.
THis is an absolute steal.

MLSLI.com - Find a Home


This will be a 4000 sft post modern waterfront shortly.
They'll leave one wall up so its tecnically an "extension"and not new contruction to beat the taxes.
Gotta love Crookhaven


Not too many left like this on a dead end near the water.

C