Residents refer to the Village of Malverne as the Mayberry of Long Island for its small town appeal and friendly, open way of life.
Located in the town of Hempstead in Nassau County, the Village of Malverne is home to 8,593 residents living within a single square mile area. Those are pretty close quarters for almost 9,000 residents, but somehow claustrophobia isn't an issue! Acting, for all intents and purposes, as a village since October of 1920, Malverne finally incorporated on April 13, 1921 and has celebrated its anniversary on the 25th, 50th and 75th years. Because of its size, many of Malverne's residents commute each day to New York for work, via the two Long Island Railroad Stations within the Village. Although there is still no weekend service, the Malverne and Westwood stations, located on the Hempstead Branch, run Monday through Friday like clockwork!
Moving to Malverne
When you know for certain that you will be moving to Malverne, the first thing you should do is locate a local real estate agent to immediately begin your house hunt! Seriously, the competition can be brutal in this popular little village, so the quicker you get into the game, the faster you will see results.
If you can afford the planning time, begin your search about six weeks prior to actually having to pack up and move. This should give you ample time to find, negotiate over and fall in love with your new home! Bring the basics typically required when you lease a property. Personal references, work references, legal identification and of course, enough money to cover all applicable fees and deposits!
Malverne Neighborhoods
Malverne might be small, only one square mile to be exact, but there are actually two distinct neighborhoods that are very much worth investigating as potential new homes. Below are some details about both neighborhoods, but it takes eyes on the ground (a local realtor) to really move things along.
Village Center: If you are searching for rental homes in the Village Center, you need to give yourself some extra time to find a vacancy and then be ready to snatch it up when one comes available! Rental properties are available in this area, but vacancies are not commonplace and the competition can get pretty fierce. If you are lucky enough to find your dream property, you will be choosing from medium to large sized apartments (think 2-6 roomy bedrooms). Most of the places for rent are single family homes or small apartment communities that are extremely well cared for and gorgeously landscaped by their tenants or owners. Southern State Parkway runs along the north end of this neighborhood, so if you need to get somewhere fast by car, you are in luck!
Ocean Ave/ Rider Ave: If you are looking for a condo for rent in Malverne, this is the area to begin your search first. Ocean Avenue and Rider Avenue largely consist of medium to large places for rent, similar to the Village Center. The difference in this neighborhood has to do with the slightly higher vacancy rates, although they are still relatively low compared to the rest of the United States, and the age of the properties. This is a very well preserved area of the village, historically speaking. The bulk of rental homes in this neighborhood were built prior to the 1940s, although a good few were built afterwards, as recently as the 1970s. A popular place to relax and enjoy time with friends is in the southeastern area of the neighborhood, at the Tanglewood Preserve. This park is a stunning retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, the perfect one hour escape into the woods for a bit of peace anytime you need it!
Living in Malverne
Living in the village of Malverne is an experience unlike most in the area. If you are from the New York area or from the northern portion of the U.S. in general, you might be surprised at the decidedly southern hospitality that seems to be a part of what makes this place so special. If you happen to be from the south, you will feel right at home!
If you want a fun evening out with friends or a special date night, you've got to head over to Uva Rossa, a Wine Bar located on Hempstead Ave. that features a delicious array of Tapas paired with your choice of exquisite wine, beer or cocktail. Another favorite option that is absolutely worth mentioning is Connolly Station, also located on Hempstead Avenue, but near the train station. The Shepherd's Pie is outstanding and their Eggs Benedict are perfect for a Sunday brunch. You will surely sample both, as most residents will urge you towards their favorite places once you've settled into your new home!