Commack, NY

Native Americans from the Secatogue tribe originally inhabited the area, naming it Winnecomac which translates to "pleasant land." Europeans began to arrive and settle into the village in the 17th century, building the first church in 1665. Commack's early years were spent as a rich agricultural community, and the railroad came to the village by the 1860s. Commack was known internationally for the Burr family, who trained and bred famous race horses. By the 1950s, suburban and commercial development transformed the village.

The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is in Commack, honoring distinguished American Jewish sports figures. Visit the Telephone Pioneers of America Museum on Commack Road to trace the history of the telephone through hands-on exhibits, all the way back to 1876 with Bell's attic workshop. The Commack Coalition of Caring raises awareness towards drug prevention, and hosts an annual 5K race at Commack High School.

Residents in Commack choose from several casual or upscale restaurants, with different ethnic cuisine spots but a clear focus on Italian food. Combining the upscale and the Italian qualifications, Andrea's 25 on Jericho Turnpike in Commack easily draws patrons to its professional restaurant. Locals recommend the calamari or baked clams as an appetizer, and the entrees such as the veal Valdostana or salmon in lime and lemon sauce come generously portioned and cooked with care. Managers will often check in on tables and make a personal effort to get to know the diners.

A Japanese-owned sushi joint in Commack, Takumi Japanese Restaurant provides a slice of authentic Japanese cuisine you can't often find on Long Island. Hailing from Japan, master sushi chef Yuki has decades of experience, shining through in the virtuosity of his food preparation. Patrons gush over the sushi and other Japanese specialties such as the donburi, prompting repeat visits and a loyal consumer base. Go there once and the husband and wife duo running the restaurant will subsequently treat you like family.

Commack has a relatively tame and laid-back nightlife scene, with just a few local bars and pubs on Jericho Turnpike. Conolly's Pub has a chill vibe and courteous staff, making it a popular hangout spot to indulge in the selection of local craft beers and watch a sports game. For a nearby nightclub residents travel into Hauppage, where the Wall Street entertainment venue caters towards crowds of young professionals, with live music, dancing and flashing neon lights. The venue even hosts concerts on its outdoor patio during the summer.

Commack's four main thoroughfares are the Long Island Expressway, the Northern State Parkway, the Sunken Meadow State Parkway and the Jericho Turnpike. Tucked behind the major roadways are calmer local roads with plenty of free parking and safe spaces for walking and biking around the residential complexes. No biking lanes exist in the village.

Taxi services in Commack include local businesses like 516 Car Service and the ever-growing Uber company. For public transportation, the Suffolk County Transit buses come with a low cost and four different routes through the village. Residents often ride the Long Island Railroad to and from work, with the nearest stations in Kings Park or Northport. The nearest airport to Commack is in Ronkonkoma, the reliable Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Residents play and hike at Commack's stretch of appealing parks. Valmont Village Park towards the south of the village has a well-sized parking lot and a playground for children; it fills the sports void with a baseball field, two tennis courts and a basketball court. Cedar Road Park in northern Commack and Burr-Winkle Park serve similar purposes with fields and courts. Sunshine Acres Park on Town Line Road has a playground and paved walking trails where you can bring the family and the dog. Hit the irons at the Hamlet Golf & Country Club, featuring a challenging full 18-hole course.

Open free for the Smithtown portion of Commack residents with a fee for outsiders, the Hoyt Farm Park on New Highway in Commack is a nature preserve plus much more. In addition to great hiking trails, the park has a large playground, lovely picnic area and even a farm section where you can feed carrots and vegetables to the animals. Throughout the summer, numerous concerts and free movies entertain residents at the family-friendly park.

The annual fall festival in Commack arrives with pumpkin picking and a petting zoo. The Asian-American Cultural Circle of Unity organization holds a multinational cultural festival in Commack with free admission during the day and a small fee at night. The event boasts live performances, multicultural displays, children's workshops, art demonstrations and food vendors.

While Commack has many clear advantages, these result in a cost of living that sits firmly above average when compared to the national and state mean, though it's nearly even to the greater town. Commack also compares favorably to New York City at a negligible 3 percent more expensive than the city. Renting a one-bedroom residence in Commack will cost on average $1603.84 per month.

Traveling into New York City by train from Commack may cost upwards of $30, particularly when factoring in paid parking at the nearby stations. The Suffolk County Transit buses cost a mere $2 for the full fare. Gas prices in Commack are about 10 percent more expensive than national averages. A beer at one of the local bars in Commack will cost you about $6.

The shopping experience in Commack is sure to please discerning consumers, with an excellent selection of useful retail stores along most of the major roads. Clothes shoppers can swing on over to Macy's for the women or children's clothing and accessories, or head to the Justice store on East Jericho Turnpike for the latest girls 'tween' fashions. For further options, there is also an Old Navy, Gap and more in the village.

Over the Edge Apparel is a Commack boutique bridging New York and West Coast contemporary fashion. Located on Commack Road, the owner has pioneered a unique clothing style of refined, yet edgy by seeking top designers from both coasts. Shoppers should find plenty of appealing outfits at the boutique, as well as jewelry, bags and shoes. A family-owned business with a sterling reputation for decades, Mr Cheapo CD & Record Exchange on the Jericho Turnpike in Commack remains a rich resource for used CDs, vinyls and DVDs; come prepared to spend some time here browsing the huge inventory, and you'll surely leave with a few purchases in hand.

Supermarkets in the village of Commack include franchises such as the local ShopRite and Waldbaum's. During the winter and lasting through March, a winter farmers market runs at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack, with regional producers setting out fresh produce, fruit, honey, jams and more.