Northport, N.Y.: Old-Time Charm in a Waterfront Village

I miss my old town. I go back once a year and have breakfast at the Shipwreck Diner. I look forward to staying in that inn.

My single, child-free sister looked at homes in Northport two years ago and there was one reason she didn't buy - taxes. The article didn't have anything to say about how high they are and now you can't deduct anything beyond $10k. If people can afford $15k and up for property tax, I'm happy for them.

I moved to Northport temporarily 25 years ago. I'm still here.

I grew up in Northport, graduating from Northport HS in the late 70s. I am always weary of real estate articles touting how wonderful a small town is and how it's a great place to retire because the next thing you know, the town is ruined by out of town new comers who change the character of a place. I saw it happen in my adopted hometown of Prescott, Arizona; where once it was a small western town where everyone knew pretty much everyone else, or at least knew "their people" , now it's a town full of rich California retirees whose presence contributed to out of control real estate prices, a stupid amount traffic, and the depletion of water. I would hate to see a similar thing happen to Northport.

Like Mr. Dietrich, I spent my early years on Long Island's south shore, specifically Seaford. Like Mr. Dietrich, I am 70. But I've been fortunate enough to have lived in Northport Village for the past 32 years. There is nothing homogenous about this village. It's filled with culture, quirky and artsy shops, beautiful vistas, and enough eccentric personalities who keep the vibe interesting and full of surprises. While most of my Seaford classmates have left for warmer climates, I have no reason at all to leave my beautiful village of Northport. I suspect Mr. Dietrich feels the same already.

Northport is a beautiful, vibrant town which has really caught the eye of many friends, family and acquaintances. It continues to develop, adding in increasingly unique, posh places to eat and drink. There is a theater on Main Street which adds to the arts/culture vibe. The waterfront too, is wonderful. It's also one of those family towns whose children come back to the area to raise their own kids. I've often admired that and it certainly is a place I would consider living after New York City. As for the Cow Harbor run, it's worth it (as a race itself), but also as a way of viewing just how supportive and involving the community is.

I spent my teenage years small boat cruising among the waters on Northport, Centerport and Huntington Harbor, with my Dad in the 60's. On really big eventful Saturdays, we'd fill up out 85 HP Sea Ray runabout and travel west into Cold Spring Harbor leaving early from Eaton's Neck. Once into the vast Long Island Sound, even the sea gulls seemed to be ready for big water and wind gusts that would propel the big birds well past our 20mph. Dad would always stand at the wheel, hands at the 10 and 2. I would just watch and be seated, taking giant breaths of salt in into my lungs, like him. On the right side, I'd view the CT. coast and wondered what growing up is like on the other side of the water. And I probably thought how cool but scary it would be to steer north and find out. I always knew how beautiful this entire north shore is and over the 45 years since, the property values moving in, are for the wealthy. But Mr. Dietrich is lucky to spend his and mom's autumn years in such a beautiful place, And I'm equally lucky to have had a childhood so enriched.

I wish there was a service where unknown towns like this are identified for people who are looking to resettle away from the suburbs and big cities. We want to leave Seattle and hunger for a small town near a big city that does not have track houses and strip malls. Thanks for reminding me that these places do exist.

A lot of wonderful things can be said about NYC, where I spent my weekends growing up as kid. For me, I have many more wonderful things to say about Northport, Centerport, Huntington Bay and Greenlawn that make up the towns filtering into Harborfields Public School District, where I attended school my entire life and where my mom still lives. Sometimes NYC is that much better when you have perspective.