Melville

About Melville

Melville is a thriving hamlet in the town of Huntington, located in New York's Suffolk County. Part of Greater Nassau-Suffolk, Melville lies 7 miles north-east of Levittown and 29 miles east of New York City.

Though the community was originally called Sweet Hollow, many say that it was renamedin honor of the celebrated American writer Herman Melville. Others believe it was named after the Latin word for honey ("mel"), as a nod to the large population of honeybees in the region.

The History of Melville

The land where Melville now stands was first home to Native Americans, as land was in many parts of the country. It was purchased by Oyster Bay in 1653 as part of the First Purchase. Growth was slow but fairly steady throughout the area's early years.

In 1909, the community was connected to Huntington by a trolley line, which reached south to Amityville and provided a convenient connection to Babylon. The trolley helped contribute to minor growth in Melville, but it was shut down after about 10 years because local farmers complained their animals were frightened by the noise.

Living and Working in Melville

Melville has grown considerably over the past few decades as more people discover its strong economy, convenient location and attractive surroundings. Easily accessible amenities, a tight-knit community and several local attractions also contribute to the community's growing desirability. One of the most popular features of Melville is the West Hills County Park. It features dog-friendly areas, which aren't common in this part of the state. White Post Farms is another favorite among locals and visitors. It features rainbow lorikeets that will feed from your hand, as well as lemurs, zebras and farm animals that are in a large petting zoo.

Melville's economy is also thriving and has attracted a number of major businesses and organizations. It's home to the U.S. headquarters of many national and international corporations, including Canon U.S.A., Nikon, Arrow Electronics and MSC Industrial Supply Co. These large companies and other smaller businesses help keep Melville's unemployment rate below the national average.

Melville Schools

Students in Melville attend schools overseen by one of two public school districts, Half Hollow Hills Central School District or South Huntington Union Free School District. Both districts are located in Huntington Station.

Resources for Moving to Melville

As you get ready to move to Melville, the following information will be useful:

• Utilities: PSEG Long Island and the South Huntington Water District are Melville's primary utilityproviders.
• Garbage and Recycling: You can expect trash collection twice a week and recyclables pick-up once a week.
• Transportation: There are a number of public transportation options, including bus and rail, in and around Melville.

Melville Housing

The Melville housing market is far more expensive than the national average, but prices are actually fairly reasonable for properties so close to the booming New York City market. Most of the homes in Melville are fairly large, ideal for growing families.