B
ay Shore’s waterfront and Main Street make it a lively hub. Councilman Michael McElwee notes the town’s theater, hospital proximity, and Fire Island access, calling it a “unique hamlet.” In the early 2000s Main Street was largely empty; today it hosts 31 restaurants. Redevelopment has replaced blighted buildings with apartments, including the 418‑unit Shoregate (opened May 2024) and a 156‑unit mixed‑use project slated for 2026. McElwee credits a 20‑year revitalization, highlighted by summer “Alive By The Bay” events and the Boulton Center’s reopening after a COVID‑induced closure. Fire Island ferries add local appeal.
History: In 1708 John Mowbray bought land from the Secatogue tribe, originally called Panothicut or Penataquit (“crooked creek”). By 1842 it was Mechanicsville, renamed Bay Shore in 1868 with the arrival of tourists. The hamlet hosted the American Vitagraph Movie Studio, where silent films were produced; actors stayed in nearby bungalows. Benjamin’s Memorial Beach offers a marina, pier, and spray park overlooking the Great South Bay. The Bay Shore Yacht Club has nurtured sailing traditions across generations.
Housing: Styles range from canal bungalows to waterfront estates. Between Oct 1 2024 and Sept 30 2025, 393 homes sold with a median price of $620,000 (up from $565,000 a year earlier). Three condos (prices $240k–$799k) and two co‑ops ($295k) are on the market. Population 31,275, median age 36, median home value $623k. Monthly LIRR fare $378. School districts: Bay Shore 91%, Brentwood 77%, Islip 96%. Libraries: Bay Shore‑Brightwaters, Brentwood, Islip. Transit: Suffolk County routes 2, 7, 11, 12.
Current listings: A $2 million 5,646‑sq‑ft Federal‑style home (1890) with nine bedrooms, 4½ baths, two‑story porch, woodwork, 1.4‑acre lot. A $1.3 million Victorian (1904) with five beds, 3½ baths, 3,859 sq‑ft, Great South Bay view, 0.6‑acre gated lot, eight boat slips. A $939k split‑level (2,400 sq‑ft) with four beds, 2½ baths, heated pool. Recently closed: $1.85 million (Post Lane, 4 beds, 3 baths, 1.32‑acre), $710k (Saint Louis Ave, 5 beds, 2 baths, 0.53‑acre), $645k (New Hampshire Ave, 3 beds, 3 baths, 0.19‑acre). OneKey MLS lists 73 homes priced $240k–$5 million, taxes $7,311–$73,735.
