Central Islip, NY

The history of the Central Islip area traces back to when the Secatogue tribe of Native Americans first lived there. Later settled by Europeans, the Long Island Railroad's eastern expansion reached the village by 1842. Central Islip constructed a famous mental hospital in 1889, which treated over 10,000 patients at its peak in 1955 before closing a few decades later. The mid-1990s brought about a resurgence in the village, with an influx of new housing and commercial and government complexes.

In close proximity to Central Islip is the Islip Art Museum in East Islip, which displays and exhibits contemporary art. The Islip Arts Council has a school that teaches art, music and theater programs to children and adults, and hosts many free concerts for the public. The Long Island Language Advocates Coalition holds an annual workshop in Central Islip to benefit those with limited English proficiency.

Central Islip residents enjoy a great selection of ethnic foods and varied restaurants in the neighborhood. The Tango Argentinian Steakhouse on West Suffolk Avenue has made a name for itself with its unique, high-quality cuisine without hurting the wallet too badly. The comfortable ambiance and attentive staff convey a positive first impression. The calamari makes a great appetizer, and the headlining steaks come large and perfectly cooked to your particular liking. The restaurant even has some rarely found menu items, such as the tasty morcilla (blood sausage). Many regulars love to complete their meals with a refreshing glass of sangria to wash it all down.

For a more casual comfort-food location, Out of the Park Burgers on South Research Place delivers in spades. At this independent burger joint, the specialty ground steak burgers steal the spotlight, but the chicken and fish sandwiches also earn praise. Each juicy burger or sandwich allows for endless customization with a variety of free toppings, and the excellent sides include fries, mozzarella sticks and fried shrimp. Make sure to grab a milkshake while you enjoy the good food and company.

The limited nightlife options in Central Islip encourage many residents to travel into bordering neighborhoods such as Brentwood and Hauppage for the bars and pubs. The Grafton Street Pub in Hauppage has tasty food, great drinks, a DJ and karaoke opportunities. Central Islip does have Dave and Buster's, a popular watering hole for drinks, food, bowling and a wide selection of video games.

Travel in Central Islip is convenient, thanks to easy highway access and public transportation. Major roadways envelop the village, such as Veteran's Memorial Highway to the east and the Long Island Expressway directly north. Free public parking is available along some of the local streets, such as Wheeler Road, and the residential areas provide relatively safe roadways for walking and biking. Taxi options in the immediate area include Andre's Taxi Service or the Uber car service.

Central Islip residents have plentiful public transportation services, such as a large number of bus routes through the village courtesy of Suffolk County Transit. The village has the Central Islip station of the Long Island Railroad, located on Suffolk Avenue. Heading east into Ronkonkoma takes you to the Long Island MacArthur Airport for air-travel purposes.

Central Islip has a number of parks and other outdoor spaces for recreation. Head to the Central Islip Recreation Village Park for open fields, two basketball courts and a few tennis courts with free parking on the premises. Town ballfields on Eastview Drive and other locations let children play for leisure or in organized little leagues. In neighboring Hauppage, Blyndenburgh Dog Park lets you take your pet to a huge leashing path and running area.

Central Islip has been the home of the Long Island Ducks, an independent professional baseball team, since the construction of their Bethpage Ballpark in 2000. The 6,000-seat ballpark has been a popular outdoor entertainment attraction in the village ever since, with a picnic area that offers a view of the field and an inflatable jump house for kids.

In addition, Central Islip is home to many annual events that strengthen and add to the community, such a the Annual 5K Run for Lupus that benefits those afflicted by the disease.

Normally, this area of Long Island comes with a higher cost of living. While Central Islip certainly has above-average costs, the area benefits from significantly lower prices for services, goods and housing, Central Islip is approximately 19 percent more affordable in comparison to the rest of the town of Islip. Prospective residents have plenty of affordable housing options, with an average cost of $1,401.15 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

Central Islip residents can travel to surrounding villages for $2 on Suffolk County Transit buses. Gas prices in Central Islip are about 10 percent above the national average and less expensive than Long Island averages. A beer at one of the local bars in the area typically costs about $5 to $6.

Most of the stores in Central Islip are bunched along local streets such as Wheeler Road. Residents can shop for clothing at a variety of destinations, including chains such as Target and Rainbow Shops, which sells trendy female clothing and accessories.

While Central Islip has a lot of franchise stores, there are also a few independent businesses that have served the area for a long time. W.H. Frank Wine & Liquor has been in the village since 1949, remaining popular for its staggering selection of discount, niche and vintage wines. Kaufman Allied Patio and Fireplace has been a family-owned business in Central Islip for a whopping 75 years, supplying locals with all of their patio furniture and fireplace needs.

Grocery shopping in the neighborhood can be accomplished at C-Town Supermarket on Wheeler Road or Compare Foods Supermarket on East Suffolk Avenue. Residents can head into East Islip to visit Organics Today, a well-regarded farmers market. The small farm only grows organic fruits and vegetables, ensuring high-quality produce. It also sell organic chicken, grass-fed beef, organic breads and raw honey.