Shoreham touts private beaches, accessibility, Tesla connectivity

SCOOP Secluded and exclusive, where all homes are not excessively priced, Shoreham (aka Shoreham Village) and East Shoreham (aka Shoreham) are rare North Shore affordable properties.

With homes starting in the $460,000s and many asking below $700,000, each of these Brookhaven communities still offers amenities like a private, residents-only beach on Long Island Sound. The streets are mostly thoroughfares, with houses set back by deep lawns and trees.

Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, whose respective constituencies include Shoreham, explained that the small incorporated Shoreham of about 600 people is commonly referred to as Shoreham Village. The larger unincorporated hamlet of East Shoreham, with a population of about 7,400, is simply called Shoreham.

Also, while one nearby area south of Route 25A is, on some maps, part of Ridge Village, its homes and school actually have Shoreham addresses.

Residents “have done a great job of combining preservation and development,” Bonner said, adding that Shoreham has preserved its historic character while “advocating for the acquisition of open space to prevent massive suburban sprawl.” It is aided by the bordering Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest and Brookhaven State Park. There is no commercial area, but Shoreham Plaza has groceries, a pharmacy, dry cleaners, etc. Grocery stores are a short drive away in Wading River and Rocky Point.

Each community has a residents-only beach, both with the somewhat confusing name of Shoreham Beach. Open to anyone is the 10-mile North Shore Rail Trail, an abandoned rail trail that was restored 2 1/2 years ago as a greenway.

Other recreational facilities include village-only tennis and paddle tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and a multi-purpose sports court, as well as Jomar Park with a village playground.

Local celebrations include the annual Oktoberfest at St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church. Plus, “every July 4th we have a parade and people come back from all over the country,” said Village Mayor Thomas Spear, whose great-grandfather was the first mayor and who himself knows “five generations of families.” Labor Day brings the annual tennis tournament, which turns 100 this year, against players from Wading River.

One of the historic centers is the only remaining laboratory of the legendary inventor Nikola Tesla. The non-profit Tesla Science Center in Wardencliffe, which has been undergoing renovations over the years, plans to turn it into a museum and educational facility. In the meantime, says Lennon, one of the project’s boosters, “they’re doing some programs with schools to help bring science, technology and engineering to students in the region.”

According to Bonner, Shoreham is “a very close-knit community that is proud of its school district and its connection to Tesla.”

SALE PRICES According to OneKey MLS data, there were 49 home sales from November 5, 2023 to November 4, 2024 with an average sale price of $649,000. During this period a year earlier, there were 57 home sales with an average sale price of $604,000.

APARTMENTS AND CO-OPATS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.

OTHER STATISTICS

Population 7,958

Average age 51.6 (Shorem) 31.7 (East Shorem)

Average house price $635,000

LIRR Monthly Pass from Port Jefferson $378

School districts, graduation rates Shoreham-Wading River (99.5%), Longwood (87.8%)

Library North Shore Public Library

Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 62

Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov

ON THE MARKET

1.055 million dollars

The gated grounds of this colonial estate boast a heated saltwater pool with two waterfalls and a pool house with a half bath. Three gazebos, including one with a fireplace. There are four bedrooms, three full and two half bathrooms, a two-car garage, an eat-in kitchen and a formal dining room. Annual taxes are $17,877. Jessica Tenney, Realty Connect USA LI, 631-255-3234.

$859,000

This five bed, 3 1/2 bath home features a wrap around porch and back porch. The kitchen has granite counter tops and the family room has a fireplace. There are lawn sprinklers, an attached two-car garage and a finished basement with exterior access. Annual taxes are $17,920. Gloria and Daniel Gallagher, Signature Premier Properties, 516-507-7159, 631-885-3079.

610,000 USD

With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this 1912 Arts & Crafts bungalow in Shoreham Village has been upgraded with Energy Star-compliant central air conditioning, appliances and a water heater. There is a detached shed/garage, in-ground pool, fireplace, formal dining room and home office. Taxes are $16,114 per year. Dawn R. Madigan, Realty Connect USA LI, 631-553-0087.

HARD SOLD

$925,000

Beatty Road

Style Two-story

bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 3

Built 1906 year

Lot size 0.5 acre

taxes 16,752 USD

+/- Price list +$45,001

Days on the market 111

$785,000

Circle Drive

Style Ranch experience

bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 3

Built 1973 year

Lot size 0.97 acres

taxes 18,304 USD

+/- Price list +$86,000

Days on the market 117

720,000 USD

Upham Down

Style Colonial

bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 2½

Built 1966 year

Lot size 0.85 acres

taxes 25,300 USD

+/- Price list -59,000 USD

Days on the market 86

ON ONEKEY MLS

Number of listings 7

Price range From $519,000 to $1.25 million

Tax range from $8,449 to $33,855