Stony Brook

Offering a distinctive blend of history, culture and ambience, Stony Brook comprises two distinct areas: a Colonial-style village and a popular state university complex.

The community's centerpiece, its historic district north of Route 25A (known as Old Stony Brook), displays a quaint crescent-shaped village center with views of Stony Brook Harbor and winding pathways dotted with old-fashioned street lamps. Specialty shops and restaurants surround a Federalist-style post office, which has a mechanical eagle on its facade that flaps its wings on the hour.

Other attractions include the Hercules Pavilion, the working Stony Brook Grist Mill and Avalon Park. Stony Brook University and Stony Brook University Hospital, south of 25A, occupy more than 1,000 acres. The university offers public lectures and cultural events at the Staller Center for the Arts.

"It's a very desirable area," said Linda Hickey of Hickey & Smith Realtors.

Although Colonial-style homes dominate, a mix of ranches, farm ranches, capes and a smattering of new postmoderns and Victorians exist. New homes generally start at $800,000, says Anna Hom, a senior sales associate at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in East Setauket. Houses in the mid-price range include Strathmore homes, a development based on nine models built by William Levitt in the 1960s. The Three Village school district attracts many buyers.

To learn more, visit www.stonybrookvillage.com.

-Lisa Doll Bruno (11/4/2005)