Selden, NY

Moving to an area originally occupied by Algonquian Native Americans, the first farmers moved into the area of Selden, then called Westfield, in the mid-18th century. Captain Daniel Roe, who fought in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, is one of Selden's most notable early residents and has a highway in his namesake.

Selden remained a rural community for decades, but during the 20th century, it experienced rapid suburban growth. The paving of Middle Country Road accelerated this growth, and by the 1970s, Selden transitioned to a fully suburban space. Businesses sprung up along this main road, and commercial development proceeded in haste. Today's Selden is a clear product of its complex past, with Middle Country Road remaining as its most important and connected thoroughfare.

Indeed, one of the most attractive aspects of Selden manifests in its connectedness. Just a short drive leads to the Pennysaver Ampitheater, located off South Bicycle Path. An outdoor venue, the Pennysaver Ampitheater regularly attracts top talent and large crowds. Do not miss a chance to get there on July 4th to witness a magnificent spectacle worthy of the date. A classical orchestra performs first, a relaxed prelude to the eventual fireworks bonanza. While the venue is particularly crowded on this day, the beautiful fireworks display certainly makes it worth your while.

In addition, Selden has easy access to historical sites and museums such as the Long Island Maritime Museum and the BNL Science Museum.

Due to its close proximity to Middle Country Road, Selden features a lively stretch of restaurant options. Selden has an abundance of eateries sure to appeal to a variety of preferences.

For a pleasant midday delight, head to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe. A favorite of local smoothie lovers, the cafe also serves healthy wraps and sandwiches. Made with real fruit and ice, the smoothies consistently rate as the best in the area. Enjoy the Blue Lagoon, a flavorful combo of blueberries, strawberries and bananas, or indulge in the (admittedly less healthy but oh so tasty) Chocolate Chiller. This place even serves nutritious smoothies that include ingredients such as kale and spinach, or try options designed to provide an energy boost, with your choice of protein mixed into the drink.

If the occasion calls for something special, Nishiki Hibachi & Sushi makes an ideal choice. Located in the Independence Plaza Shopping Center off of Middle Country Road, the hibachi house features trendy, modern furnishing with the food and service to match. Step inside to experience a city-like environment, with flashing lights and a hip ambiance. The sushi area sits to the left of the room, with the hibachi to the right. You can't go wrong with either choice as both draw wide praise from local inhabitants. Notably, the presentation of food attracts all eyes as the arrangement on the plate fancifully recalls the popular show "Iron Chef."

The nightlife in Selden proves similarly robust, with an active bar and pub scene. Relax with a beer and game of pool at Goodfella's Billiards and Bar on Middle Country Road. Goodfella's offers big-screen TVs, 17 Diamond pool tables and an extensive beer and liquor selection. Take advantage of specials such as Ladies Night on Thursday, or join the co-ed pool leagues.

Selden residents frequently travel over State Route 25, Middle Country Road, which connects the neighboring areas of Smithtown, Centereach and Coram. Ample public parking exists across the length of this road and in the surrounding shopping centers. Interstate 495, the Long Island Expressway, sits a short distance south of Selden. The LIE runs from eastern Suffolk County to the western portal of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel in Manhattan.

In addition, Suffolk County Transportation runs several bus routes through Selden and the surrounding area. Last Minute Taxi provides a local taxi option, with Uber available as well. Selden does feature bike lanes along Middle Country Road, but the generally busy road makes this a less safe and ideal option. The nearest airport is Long Island MacArthur Airport which is in Ronkonkoma, a convenient option for eastern Long Islanders and a short drive away for those in Selden.

In Selden, you can visit the nearby parks such as the Cathedral Pines County Park and the Country Fair Entertainment Park. The former, located east of Selden in Middle Island, provides ample space for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and mountain biking-the park is dog friendly as long as your buddy is leashed. Cathedral Pines County Park has free entry for the majority of the year, with a green key pass needed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Enjoy, but be careful not to lose your way while riding the long and twisting bicycle paths.

The Country Fair Entertainment Park presents fun and entertainment for the whole family. The outdoor go-karts and track invite kids to race around and feel the wind on their faces. Golf enthusiasts have a driving range and mini-golf course to tackle, and there's also an indoor entertainment center with more games and activities such as laser tag.

As Selden and eastern Suffolk County have exploded in popularity and growth, the cost of living has increased to moderately above the national average. According to one metric, Selden's cost of living sits 12 percent greater than the New York average — this slightly higher average holds true for goods, groceries and health care.

Selden's attractive and connected location puts prices at a premium, and this is certainly reflected in housing: Rent runs higher than the national average, and a one-bedroom apartment typically goes for about $1300 to 1500 a month. On the bright side, apartment complexes tend to have specials and discounts on rent to help mitigate some of the cost.

Shopping in Selden often means going to the busy Middle Country Road, which teems with shopping centers and retail stores, providing an endless sea of potential shopping goodness. These main shopping centers include College Plaza, Westfield Shopping Center, Selden Plaza and Independence Plaza.

Selden features the mainstay options like ShopRite for food shopping. In addition, there are more specified food stores, such as the New Selden House of Spice, which sells a selection of curries, spices and sauces. Several popular and mainstream retail stores maintain visible popularity, but plenty of hidden gems beg to be discovered. Garments of Praise, a local boutique, has a sizable selection of bridal gowns, handbags and jewelry at reasonable prices. A good thrift store can be tough to find, but Selden's local option draws favorable opinions. Island Thrift provides affordable goods and has a remarkable volume of stuff to comb through and discover. The store has flexibility in the sheer amount and variety of items on hand and can turn out to be a solid option for those seeking all kinds of oddities.

For a more niche specialty store, Brothers Grim Games and Collectibles will delight those who favor card, board and tabletop games. The popular card game of choice in this hobby shop is Magic The Gathering, which comes as no surprise due to Magic's rich history and popularity in the trading card game circle. In addition, Brothers Grim Games hosts tournaments for these games, so you can go in, meet and compete against like-minded players. They stay open late, so don't be afraid to partake in a lengthy card game with some friends into the late hours of the night.