Port Jefferson, NY

117 Apartments for Rent

Port Jefferson has a long tradition as a seafaring town. Keeping that tradition alive, two recent America's Cup winners hail from Port Jefferson. In 1987 Scott Vogel won the race and in 1992 it was local favorite Wally Henry's turn.

Port Jefferson is a village in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. It's about 60 miles east of New York City and local legend has it that the famed pirate Captain Kidd paid Port Jefferson a visit on his way to bury treasure. Keep your eyes open! The port was a pretty important shipbuilding center in the mid-1800s and has now turned to tourism for its economic base. You may have guessed already that the town was named for Thomas Jefferson to honor him for his financial support in creating and upgrading the harbor. Port Jeff, as it's known, serves as a cultural and commercial center for the area.

Moving to Port Jefferson

So, you want to move to Long Island? If you are already living in New York, you'll know just what to expect when trying to rent an apartment. If not, brace yourself. New Yorkers have seen it all, and they've got it all covered. Be prepared!

Especially if you are renting from an apartment complex, but often even if you are renting privately, you will have to fill out an application and will be charged a fee for this privilege! It can be as much as a couple of hundred dollars so don't go around filling out apps unless you mean it! If you are accepted, the fee will be used to offset your first month's rent though.

In addition, there will likely be a credit check and associated fee. This one is usually non-refundable though. Of course there will be a security deposit that is generally one month of rent if you have excellent credit and financial history, otherwise it might be even more! There's no rent control out here so you will often see a yearly increase written right into the leasing documents.

And one more sort of unique thing for complexes in the area. Many don't allow dogs but will allow cats. You'll pay at least an extra twenty dollars a month to have a cat and an additional security deposit for a pet-friendly apartment. Wow! This sure is adding up!

Neighborhoods of Port Jefferson

There are about three square miles of land in Port Jefferson and less than 8,000 people. At one point, the town became a whaling center so there are also many historic homes with apartment rentals that once belonged to whaling captains. Here is the general lay of the land.

The Village: This is the main port area of Port Jeff and the place to look for a unique apartment or condos for rent in an old historic mansion. You'll have easy access to shops and restaurants and to the ferry over to Connecticut and you will be right near Harborfront Park, where all the action happens!

Eastern Port Jefferson: Once you get outside of the village center and the port, and head east, you come to some of the most beautiful land on Long Island. You'll mostly find homes for rent out here, or apartment homes. It will take a little longer to get out to Route 112 or the Nesconset Highway but this might be what you prefer! There is one newer complex here and the famous Lombardi's On The Sound for family-style Italian dining.

Upper Port Jefferson: Once you move away from the water you get into what is known as Upper Port Jeff. This area borders up to the neighboring town of Port Jefferson Station, where you can pick up the Long Island Rail Road into the city or get on the Nesconset Highway. There are a couple of Asian options for dining in this area with Hana Japanese restaurant and Little Hong Kong for Chinese food.

Apartments in Port Jefferson

Fairfield At Port Jefferson: This complex offers a great deal for the area. It is not all bills paid, but some are, including gas heat and hot water. This could save a bundle come winter.

Maple Crest Garden Apartments: This complex offers one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments in a beautifully landscaped atmosphere. You're only five minutes from the train too, so commuting is a breeze.

Living in Port Jefferson

You really are in the heart of it all in Port Jefferson. Here are just a few of the many, many things to know about the area.

Transportation

The port is an active port with private watercraft and is the terminus of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry. This is one of only two commercial ferry services to the mainland of New England in Connecticut. In addition to ferries, you can catch the Long Island Railroad just down the road in Port Jefferson Station. There are also plenty of buses provided by the Suffolk County Transit Bus system.

If there is one negative things to say about living in Port Jeff, it's access to a major airport. There is a smaller airport in Islip, about 20 miles away, but to get anywhere faster you will need to go to JFK or LaGuardia, both about 50 miles away. This might not seem like much but you always have to factor in traffic when heading into the city, and this can be brutal. You could also take the ferry over to Bridgeport and leave out of New Haven or even Hartford.

Entertainment

The city has done lots of upgrading and restoring in recent years to take over the waterfront from the old shipbuilding factories and give the public more access to much of the waterfront area. There are a couple of standouts, like the Chandler Square area that is lined with shops and serves as a waterfront promenade. The Danfords Hotel is a local landmark that has a commercial marina for those who want to tie up and spend the day in town. This is a great place for a walk on the pier after dinner.

Another centerpiece of the port is Harborfront Park. This public park has picnic areas and, in the winter, has a rink for ice skating. Also at the waterfront is the Summertime Farmer's Market with all kinds of baked goods, local produce and of course, seafood! In summer there are movies held in the park.

There is always something going on at the Port Jefferson Village Center. This public space holds all kinds of events and recreation such as concerts and exhibits. The building has great character because it is preserved shipyard building.

The annual Charles Dickens Festival is held each December and offers tons of free events and attractions. Costumed Dickens characters roam the streets and the town takes on a decidedly Victorian flair during the festival.

Whew! That's just the start of things to do in Port Jefferson. It's nice that New York City is so close, but on the other hand, who needs it? If your apartment search takes you to Port Jeff, it's probably the last stop!