East End Living Is a Beautiful Thing

The South Fork of Long Island is famous for sprawling mansions, pristine beaches, restaurants and boutique shopping. The North Fork, though it has plenty of glorious mansions, tree-lined roads and access to non-ocean beaches, is quite different, with its own charm and topography that make it a wonderful place to call home.

“The North Fork with its wide open vistas, great sunsets, field-to-table dining, and vineyards offers a true country living experience,” says Judi Desiderio, Chief Executive Officer of Town & Country.

“The North Fork is incredibly different than the Hamptons,” says Enzo Morabito, Associate Broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “It’s more quiet, more subdued. You can go to farm stands and buy fruit and vegetables or take a 10-minute drive to
a vineyard.”

The North Fork begins after Riverhead, where Route 25, “Main Road” to locals, condenses itself down to a single lane as it runs through Aquebogue, where vineyards, farm stands and nurseries line the side of the road. The town of Riverhead is a 78-square-mile township made up of hamlets, including Aquebogue, interspersed with potato and cauliflower fields, vineyards, sod farms, orchards, horse farms, nurseries and, increasingly, new housing and commercial buildings.

A little further out begins the township of Southold, where the fork becomes more secluded as the land dwindles by the sea. These eastern hamlets have many amenities such as, quiet beaches, vineyards, beautiful state parks, and restaurants, not to mention a revival for maritime culture.

House prices range anywhere from $300,000 to $7 million, much lower than the high end on the South Fork. In fact, there are numerous historic homes, filled with country charm on the North Fork that are described by real estate agents as “well-maintained,” that can be purchased anywhere between $500,000 to $700,000.

HIGHER

A waterfront estate of 7.8 Acres in maritime Greenport, the ideal secluded family compound is what realtors call an “architecturally amazing home.” Along with access to a pristine beach, the estate also has a tennis court, a built-in BBQ, fire pit, two spa rooms, pool table, trails and a natural pond. The house is listed for $7 million by Colony Reality.

Or, an elegant North Fork home that has spectacular vistas and sunsets, not to mention 200 feet of waterfront. This house offers five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, three fireplaces, an in-ground pool, putting green, elevator and its own boat basin. Surrounded by approximately 100 acres of protected land and only a short drive from the vineyards—did I mention the incredible views from every room?
This home is listed at $6,750,000 by Corcoran.

MEDIAN

The perfect North Fork getaway house located in quiet Aquebogue is set in a picturesque marine backdrop with panoramic views. The house comes with a private deep-water dock with water that will accommodate two 50-foot boats with easy access to the open bay. A great house with open, modern floor plan, a living room fireplace and a kitchen with a granite center island. This house is listed at $649,000 by Douglas Elliman.

Try a fabulous investment opportunity to own a gorgeous waterfront hideaway with open vistas in tranquil Jamesport. A darling country cottage that’s the perfect family getaway by the beach, with an enormous waterside deck for dining al fresco in any season. This home is listed at $599,000 by Town & Country.

Then there’s the waterfront retreat that sprawls 50 feet along Hashamomoque Pond. The townhouse-like home is spacious with a light-filled single bedroom and waterfront deck to watch the sunset, plus a deed to a private beach. This home is listed at $479,000 by Town & Country.