Holbrook, NY

Originally occupied by Native Americans, the area of Holbrook was purchased from the Secatogue tribe in 1697 by William Nicoll. Going mostly unused for years after, the mid-19th century saw the purchase of an additional 5,000 acres of land; soon, a schoolhouse, church and firehouse were constructed. Commencing with a new section of the Long Island Expressway in 1969, suburban development hastened Holbrook's population growth. Model homes sprung up around the highway service roads and modern businesses began to bloom.

While Holbrook has no museums of its own, its position allows for convenient access by car to locations such as the East Islip Art Museum, a popular exhibition space for contemporary art in Long Island. Holbrook's Inspiration Performing Arts Centre proliferates the arts and cultivates local talent with its music, dance and drama programs. Annual events such as the Carnival and Craft Festival add fun and excitement to the community.

Nearly all of the restaurants in Holbrook cluster along Main Street, offering various ethnic food spots with flexible prices. Greek Islands Restaurant on Main Street serves up Greek-American cuisine from its friendly, family-owned location. Patrons receive complimentary warm pita with chickpeas the minute they sit down at the restaurant. A favorite appetizer of frequent visitors, the charcoal octopus is cooked light and to perfection. The Greek salad, gyros and falafel platters make great meals, but a vast menu means there's plenty to try. Best of all, the restaurant has great prices and the large portion sizes might have you headed home with yummy leftovers.

A good local diner makes eating at any time of the day a wise decision, and the Holbrook Diner on Main Street certainly fits the bill. At any time of the day, this landmark village diner accommodates with quality dishes that have helped it thrive in Holbrook for decades. Start your day right with the hearty breakfast specials, or come in around lunch time for generous sandwiches. The diner tends to get crowded around dinner, so make a night of it with a robust feast of soups, burgers, seafood and more at this popular slice of Holbrook.

The modest nightlife in Holbrook features a number of local bars and pubs. Punctuating the night experience, the Irish Times Pub contributes a laid back atmosphere with good food and plenty of amenities. Most visitors come for the drinks, with local craft beers flowing freely. The trendy spot has over 20 televisions and an outdoor patio and bar complete with heater for particularly cold nights. The place transforms into a dynamic club-like atmosphere on Saturdays, with a live DJ and open dance floor.

Getting around in Holbrook is as easy as driving along the numerous important roads. State Route 495 Long Island Expressway, the main commuter highway for residents in the village, passes through the area at the northern part of Holbrook. At the far south of the village, Sunrise Highway stands as another major route. Small local roads like Main Street accommodate neighborhood businesses and houses, additionally providing safe areas for walking and biking about the village. Free public parking spaces also populate these local roads.

Grab a taxi in the Holbrook area by calling up Village Taxi or using the Uber app on your smartphone. Make sure to take advantage of public transportation in the village, including Suffolk County Transit buses and the nearby Ronkonkoma Train Station of the Long Island Railroad. The adjacent village of Ronkonkoma is also where the Long Island MacArthur Airport is located, servicing air travel demands in central Long Island.

As a mostly residential area Holbrook cannot be described as teeming with parks; however, there are still plenty of spaces within the village to enjoy outdoor activity. Numerous baseball fields scatter about the village, many with adjacent free public parking lots with dog-friendly areas. One of the baseball fields towards the center of the village also has a large running track for useful cardio exercise.

The Holbrook Country Club has a huge parking lot, sports fields, a tennis court and of course a full 18-hole golf course. The course/driving range and any equipment rented out all come reasonably priced. The Sans Souci County Park is a free nature preserve on the southern border of Holbrook and into Sayville. The park has many hiking and biking trails, and locals praise it for its friendliness to man's best friend. Expect to find many residents walking their dogs along the beautiful trails at Sans Souci.

Holbrook's annual events treat residents to community enhancing opportunities throughout the year. During the holiday season, the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce decorates the village with seasonal adornments, then hosts a joyous Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting event at the Irish Times Pub shopping center.

Central and south Long Island tends to be an expensive place to live, and Holbrook overall aligns with these prices. With similar housing costs but cheaper goods, services, transportation and utilities, Holbrook sits at a useful 9 percent lower cost of living as compared to the rest of the town of Islip. Choosing among the considerable amount of living complexes in Holbrook, prospective residents can expect to pay about $1612.98 a month to rent a one bedroom home.

Daily costs in the village include a simple $2 full fare for the local bus routes to surrounding neighborhoods. Gas prices in Holbrook are a reasonable 9 percent above the national average, and a bit less expensive than Long Island averages. Refreshing drinks at the local bars will cost you about $6 a beer.

Stores in the Holbrook area spread throughout the village, but most shopping locations are located north around Main Street and in the southern portion along Sunrise Highway. Holbrook residents get to shop at a great selection of clothing stores in the neighborhood. Shop the latest women's fashions at Mandee then dress your children at the Kid City on Sunrise Highway.

Outfit every room in your home at Furn-A-Kit on Broadway Avenue, a lasting independent furniture store in the neighborhood with friendly service and a great selection. The Musician's Place on Furrow's Road in Holbrook is your one stop shop for established or aspiring musicians. Buy or rent an instrument and sign up for private music lessons at this well-regarded village music store.

Grocery stores in Holbrook include popular chains such as Super Stop & Shop, Pathmark and Costco. While there is no farmer's market in the village, specialty food stores such as Lombardi's Market on Main Street provide more nuanced fresh goods. Lombardi's selection of meats and cheeses are lauded, and many regard this store as the best place to buy unique oils and vinegars.