Mount Sinai is a picturesque resort community that has been home to a number of celebrities in the past, including actor Lionel Barrymore and playwright Arthur Miller.
Mount Sinai, New York, was once a famous farming community, but you'd never know it today. Once developers started building homes here in the 1960s, it seemed as if they couldn't stop meeting the demand. Today the farmlands have been completely replaced by vacation bungalows, condos, apartment complexes, and subdivisions. Why the rapid growth? For one thing, it's an outrageously picturesque place to live. Plus, it's only about 60 miles away from New York City and all its temptations and amenities. While it's a vacation hot spot for tourists who long to get away from it all, Mount Sinai is also home to a number of companies, including the graphic design firm Industrial Success and management consulting firm GreyStone Business Solutions. In spite of this nod to 21st-century reality, Mount Sinai manages to maintain its bucolic, small-town identity, thanks primarily to Mount Sinai Harbor, which stretches along 455 miles and is assuredly a good deal more tranquil and pristine than the waterways of Manhattan.
Moving to Mount Sinai
You won't find high-rise apartments in Mount Sinai, but you will find a variety of property rentals to suit your lifestyle. If you're traveling by car or van, moving to Mount Sinai is relatively easy, thanks to the extension of County Route 83 that leads directly into town. There's a certain demand for rentals here, especially among vacationers during the summer season, so the best time to look is during the fall and winter. Plus, landlords are usually eager to get long-term renters, so if you let your landlord know that you're planning to stay, you might luck into a deal.
Have your first and last month's rent ready, as well as a sizable security deposit. If you're lucky, your landlord might waive the last month's rent, but don't always count on it. Likewise, be prepared to pay a pet deposit for your canine or feline friends.
Mount Sinai Neighborhoods
Mount Sinai doesn't really have a town center, so stores, restaurants, and service providers are scattered throughout the area. On the upside, you're always within a short driving, biking or walking distance to everything the town has to offer. Mount Sinai is a pretty small area, so you won't find traditionally designated neighborhoods here, but if you're hunting for a rental apartment or a house rental, here are some areas to consider:
Crystal Brook Park: Mount Sinai's oldest private community, Crystal Brook Park is home to a large residential area that includes several subdivisions. It's also close to luxury apartments, condos, and rental homes, all centrally located near a number of popular restaurants, including Amici, Mount Sinai Heritage Diner and Paradiso Pizza.
Cedar Beach: Along the southern section of bike-friendly Cedar Beach, you'll find marinas and boat mooring areas, as well as lovely Cedar Beach Town Park and area shops, including Hallmark Gold Crown. You'll also find a number of luxury apartments, bungalows and duplexes for rent nearby.
Harbor Beach Road: Located at the upper tip of town near Mount Sinai Harbor, the Harbor Beach area is home to a number of beautiful multi-level homes for sale and rent. It's also close to stores such as Marshalls and eateries such as Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks.
Living in Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai enjoys a mild climate, with average highs in the mid-80s in July and hovering around 40 in January. You can expect around 21 inches of snow every year, just enough to provide you with some pretty snapshots for your Facebook page.
Thanks to Suffolk County Transit, you can get bus service throughout Mount Sinai, and this area is also great for bikes and scooters, so you can consider ditching the car if you really want to.
Since Mount Sinai does cater to a certain number of tourists each year, you'll find that there's plenty to do here. The biggest draw in town is spectacular Mount Sinai Harbor, an oasis for camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. In addition, there's beautiful Heritage Park, where you'll find biking trails and playing fields.
Mount Sinai has plenty of casual dining restaurants, including Mavi Grill and Deli, which has great paninis and kebabs. For superb Italian food, two area favorites are Savino's Hideaway and Amici, both offering delectable pastas and pizzas. If you're thirsty, head over to MJ Sullivan's Pub, where you'll find a convivial Irish-themed atmosphere and extensive beer list.
It may seem to be a sleepy harbor village, but Mount Sinai attracts people from all walks and stages of life, not just vacationers who want to escape the concrete jungles of suburbia. It's the kind of place where you can work and make a living, yet still feel like you're on a permanent vacation. Plus, there's always Mount Sinai Harbor to escape to after office hours -- and isn't it wonderful to have your vacation paradise right at your doorstep?