my hometown
Three Village
Stony Brook, Setauket, East Setauket, Old Field, Poquott, and the neighborhoods around them. I grew up here, so this is the guide I’d hand a friend who’s thinking about moving in.
The short version
SCHOOLS
One school district ties it together
When people say Three Village, they usually mean the Three Village Central School District. It covers Stony Brook, Setauket, East Setauket, Old Field, Poquott, and parts of a few neighboring areas, and Ward Melville is the high school. If schools matter to you, check the district for the exact address, because the lines don’t always follow the town names.
HISTORY
Washington’s spies lived here
During the Revolution, the Culper Spy Ring sent George Washington intelligence on the British in New York City. Abraham Woodhull ran his part of it from Setauket, and Caleb Brewster picked up messages at nearby coves.
THE WATER
Close to the water everywhere
Stony Brook Harbor, Setauket Harbor, and the Sound are all a short drive. West Meadow Beach is my favorite place to watch the sun go down.
COLLEGE TOWN
Stony Brook University is right here
The university and its hospital are a big part of the area, for jobs, events, and the local rental market.
GETTING AROUND
The train and the ferry
Stony Brook station is on the LIRR’s Port Jefferson Branch, and the Port Jefferson ferry to Bridgeport, Connecticut is next door.
before you buy here
What I’d tell a friend
Ask for the actual tax bill. Taxes vary a lot from one district to the next, and the seller’s bill can include exemptions that won’t carry over to you.
Ask about the cesspool or septic. A lot of homes here aren’t on a sewer. Find out which system the house has and when it was last pumped.
Near the water? Check the flood map. Look the address up on FEMA’s flood map before you get attached.
Marc’s picks
Where I’d take a visitor first
Port Jefferson
Great food, water views, and a real small-town Main Street you can walk at night.
Best sunset
West Meadow Beach
The thing people don’t expect about living here
George Washington’s spy ring ran out of Setauket during the Revolution.
Looking at a house here?
Send me the address. I’ll tell you what I know about the street, the area, and what similar homes nearby have sold for.
