Coram, NY

As the oldest settlement in the central part of Brookhaven, Coram has a history that goes way back to the late 1600s. A man named William Satterly is thought to have been the first settler in the area in 1677. From 1784 through 1885, Coram functioned as the meeting place for the Brookhaven government, with the historic Davis Town Meeting House the gathering spot. Like Selden and other surrounding hamlets, the paving of Middle Country Road hastened suburban development in the area as the population multiplied.

Coram is a home for culture and the arts, with the Dance Sensation performing arts school teaching in the area since 1996. Dedicated to artistic growth in the community, the school has professional classes in many styles from age 3 to adulthood. Movieland Cinemas on Route 112 shows movies at great prices inside small, intimate theaters with homey service.

Coram restaurants and nightlife mirror the active nature of life around the area. The Burger Shack, a local independent burger joint on Route 112, has a strong reputation amongst residents for its exceptional burgers and fries. The small restaurant with its simple, clean decor serves as a pleasant place to grab a bite to eat. Classic offerings of milkshakes, burgers and French fries create a nostalgic, warm feeling. The burgers come large and juicy, with a massive amount of varieties continuously added to the menu. Come back time and time again, yet still have loads of burgers left to try. The Cajun fries draw special attention for their crispy exterior, yet warm, soft inside. Few things are better than having a quality local burger joint entrenched in your neighborhood.

JV Tequila on Route 112 has grown from a small, cramped little restaurant to a big, thriving establishment, preferred by Hispanic cuisine lovers in Coram and beyond. For incredibly reasonable prices, diners receive heaps of authentic Spanish food, with a large and varied selection on hand. Diners rave about the Cuban sandwich, one of the largest around. The succulent pork and warm bread get you singing its praises. The ribs and mofongo make for additional tasty choices. At a low price, the empanadas pack some serious value. The place posts frequent specials and discounts on its Facebook page, so check often for deals.

The nightlife mostly features additional eating and bar spots. Popei's Clam Bar is a go-to seafood and bar spot, with a happening ambiance and friendly service. The place serves a huge menu and large portion of assorted seafood favorites. The fried calamari, oysters and all-you-can-eat crab legs earn high regard from patrons. The crowded bar area is a great place to consume a variety of beers, shots or other drinks while spectating a sports game on one of the many televisions. For warmer weather, Popei's has a large outdoor patio, with a nice tiki bar and live music.

Transportation comes easy due to its favorable location to surrounding destinations. Coram's connectedness is one of its most valuable qualities, and it all starts on its main road, New York State Route 25 Middle Country Road. This road connects Coram to neighboring Middle Island to the east and to Selden, Centereach and beyond to the west. Coram's other main roadway is County Route 83, passing through the length of the hamlet and connecting south to the Long Island Expressway, a major commuter highway. By car, these roadways allow Coram residents ease of access to business and work locations; it is inadvisable to walk or bike around these roads due to safety risks. Taxis in Coram include Lindy's Taxi and Long Island Access Limo and Car Service, though your best bet may be to simply join the growing population utilizing Uber services.

Other popular modes of transportation in the Coram area include bus and train travel. Suffolk County Transit has several bus routes going through Coram, a great option for getting around locally for a small fee. The nearest train station to Coram lies in Medford, about a 10 to 15 minute car or bus ride away. The Medford Station of the Long Island Railroad takes commuters as far as New York Penn Station. For air travel needs, Long Island MacArthur Airport resides a few hamlets away, while JFK International Airport represents a farther option.

While Coram itself does not feature extensive parks in the immediate vicinity, its location grants convenient access to the more prominent parks east in Middle Island. Despite this, Coram has a few lesser-known park areas for residents to explore. Tanglewood Park on Hawkins Avenue has free parking, a jungle gym for children and a baseball field. Sequoia Park, while not as well-maintained as some of the others in the area, allows for hiking along a number of small trails free of charge. Finally, Diamond in the Pines Park on Route 112 in Coram has a number of sports fields, including a soccer field, football field, two baseball fields and a large playground with swings. The park has ample free parking next to the sports fields. Across the road from the park is the Pine Ridge Golf Club, an upscale daily fee golf course with a full 18 holes.

Each year the Coram Civic Association, an organization of over 100 dedicated community members, throws a Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting Event at the Old Coram Firehouse on Middle Country Road. Refreshments, entertainment, raffles and a visit from Santa all highlight the event. A chorus from the Coram school district brightens the event by singing festive holiday tunes. The beautiful tree lighting ceremony commences a short walk away at the historic Davis Town Meeting House.

Coram emerges as relatively more expensive than state and national averages, at 14 and 39% higher respectively. Coram ends up with a favorable cost of living as compared to the greater town of Brookhaven at 7 percent less expensive than surrounding areas. Generally, you should find a one-bedroom apartment for about $1,100 a month, with options to go cheaper or more expensive depending on the exact location and apartment complex.

Daily living expenses for goods, services, transportation and health care compare as slightly more costly than state and national averages and on par with the town of Brookhaven. Travel about the area by bus only costs $2 for full fare, with a discount of $1.25 for students ages 14 to 22 who have a valid school identification card. Gas prices in Coram are reasonable at just 11 percent greater than the national average. A night out at the local bars has you paying about $5 or $6 for a pint of beer.

A majority of shopping destinations are located on Middle Country Road, the hamlet's main road and a flourishing amalgamation of business and commerce. Your largest selection for clothing is from major chain retailers, though a short travel west into neighboring Selden leads to some more specialized boutiques.

A number of interesting specialty stores dot Middle Country Road. Aqua Hut Inc on Middle Country Road is a retailer of tropical fish for your home aquarium. A large selection of freshwater and saltwater fish ensures you find what you need to start or complete your aquarium. The knowledgeable staff helps inform your buying decisions and imparts valuable knowledge about caring for your fish. Aqua Hut Inc carries fish species you are unlikely to find elsewhere, and you can spend an hour or more just combing through the entire stock. Importantly, customers report that the fish they take home are consistently healthy and do well upon leaving the store.

One Stop Sleep Shop has been family owned and operated for over 50 years. Consistent values and an honest business allow the store to thrive in this competitive retail field. The store sells the finest products from established and recommended bed manufacturers such as Eclipse, Therapedic and Gold Bond. Discounted prices and an assortment of specialty mattresses, futons, headboards and more help make One Stop Sleep Shop the most established bedding retail store in Coram.

Grocery stores in Coram include chain stores such as Super Stop & Shop and Best Market. In addition, local niche food stores enhance the Coram food shopping experience. Stop by Kerri's Kandies for your chocolate fix; this chocolatier specializes in chocolate crafts, molds and holiday chocolate gifts. There are also many chocolate-covered items on sale, such as the locally adored chocolate-covered strawberries.