If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning wandering through the "Heights" section of Port Washington, you know the vibe. It’s quiet. Not "ghost town" quiet, but that specific kind of Gold Coast suburban hush where the only thing breaking the silence is a leaf blower or a distant dog bark. Tucked away in this pocket of Nassau County sits 24 Derby Road Port Washington New York, a property that basically summarizes why people are still fighting tooth and nail to get into this zip code.
Port Washington isn't just another Long Island town. It’s a peninsula. That matters. Being surrounded by Manhasset Bay and the Long Island Sound changes the air, the light, and—honestly—the property taxes.
What Makes 24 Derby Road Port Washington New York Stand Out?
The "Heights" neighborhood is legendary for its proximity to the train. For most people looking at a house like this, the commute is the deciding factor. You’re looking at a roughly 35-to-45-minute ride into Penn Station or Grand Central Madison on the LIRR. That is gold. It’s the difference between seeing your kids before bedtime or eating a sad deli sandwich on a cold train platform at 8:00 PM.
This specific property at 24 Derby Road sits on a lot that reflects the era it was built in. We’re talking about a Colonial-style footprint that feels intentional. It’s not one of those modern "McMansions" where the house swallows the entire yard until there’s only a sliver of grass left for a single lawn chair.
Walking up to the place, you get that classic North Shore feel. Shingle or siding, well-manicured hedges, and that sense of permanence. Houses here don't turn over every two years. People move in, raise three kids, get a golden retriever, and stay until they retire to Florida or the Carolinas.
Life in the Port Washington Heights
Living here isn't just about the four walls of the house. It's about the fact that you can basically walk to Main Street. You’ve got Ayhan’s Shish Kebab for a quick dinner or Sully’s Provisions if you want to feel fancy about your morning coffee.
Most people don't realize how hilly this part of town is. Derby Road has these slight elevations that give the neighborhood some character. It’s not a flat, boring grid. You’ve got curves. You’ve got old-growth trees. The canopy in the summer is thick enough to keep the pavement cool, which is a weirdly specific detail you only appreciate when you're pushing a stroller in July.
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The schools are a massive draw. The Port Washington Union Free School District—specifically Paul D. Schreiber High School—consistently ranks high. Parents move to 24 Derby Road Port Washington New York specifically so their kids can walk to the local elementary schools. It creates this very tight-knit, almost cinematic suburban experience.
The Real Estate Reality Check
Let’s be real for a second. Buying into Port Washington right now is a contact sport. Inventory is tight. Like, "blink and you missed the open house" tight.
When a property like 24 Derby Road hits the market, it’s not just competing with other houses in Port. It’s competing with Manhasset, Roslyn, and Great Neck. But Port has a "down-to-earth" vibe that those other towns sometimes lack. It’s wealthy, yeah, but it’s "sperry top-siders and a faded t-shirt" wealthy, not "valet park my Ferrari" wealthy.
The house itself usually features the hallmarks of mid-century suburban architecture refined for modern living. You’re likely looking at hardwood floors, a formal dining room that actually gets used during Thanksgiving, and a basement that has probably transitioned from a playroom to a home office about three different times in the last decade.
Taxes and The "North Shore Tax"
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the property taxes. Nassau County isn't cheap. Between the school taxes and the general county levy, you’re looking at a significant monthly "membership fee" to live in this zip code.
But here’s what you get for that:
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- The Yacht Clubs: Knickerbocker, Manhasset Bay, Port Washington. If you sail, this is your mecca.
- Manorhaven Beach Park: A massive pool complex and athletic fields that are actually well-maintained.
- The Library: The Port Washington Public Library is legit one of the best in the state. It overlooks the water. It has an incredible art gallery. It’s a community hub.
Why Location Still Wins
24 Derby Road Port Washington New York is positioned in a way that avoids the heavy traffic of Shore Road but keeps you close enough to smell the salt air when the wind blows from the West.
The lot sizes in the Heights are typically generous enough for a patio and some privacy, but small enough that you aren't spending your entire Sunday on a riding mower. It’s the "Goldilocks" zone of suburban land.
If you look at the historical sales data for this area, the appreciation is steady. It doesn't have the wild, volatile swings of some of the newer developments further east. It’s a blue-chip investment. Even when the broader market gets shaky, the proximity to the city and the quality of the schools provide a pretty solid floor for property values.
The Commuter's Secret
Here is something only locals really talk about: the Port Washington branch of the LIRR is one of the only ones that doesn't require a transfer at Jamaica for many trains. That is a massive quality-of-life win. You get on the train, you put on your headphones, and the next time you look up, you’re in Manhattan.
Living at 24 Derby Road means you're just a few blocks from the station. You can skip the nightmare of the station parking lot—which, honestly, is its own circle of hell with a years-long waiting list for permits. Being able to walk to the train is basically like giving yourself a $500-a-month raise and ten hours of your life back.
What to Look for During a Walkthrough
If you’re actually touring 24 Derby Road Port Washington New York, or any similar house on the block, look at the bones.
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These houses were built to last, but they often have "quirks." Check the electrical panels. See if the windows have been updated to double-pane, because that North Shore wind off the bay can be biting in January.
Look at the drainage. Since the area is hilly, you want to make sure the water is moving away from the foundation. Most of these homes have been meticulously maintained, but it’s always worth checking the age of the boiler. Replacing a steam heat system in a classic Colonial isn't exactly a cheap weekend project.
The Backyard Culture
In this part of New York, the backyard is an extension of the living room. People take their landscaping seriously. It’s common to see outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and high-end lighting.
At 24 Derby Road, the outdoor space is a canvas. Whether it’s a simple deck or a full-blown English garden, the privacy provided by the mature trees in the Heights neighborhood makes the yard feel like a sanctuary. You’re in one of the most densely populated regions of the country, but in that backyard, you’d never know it.
Final Verdict on the Area
Is it worth the hype? Honestly, yeah.
Port Washington offers a balance that is hard to find. You get the waterfront lifestyle without the isolated feel of the Hamptons. You get the elite schools without the stifling formality of some of the other North Shore enclaves.
24 Derby Road Port Washington New York represents the quintessential suburban dream for a certain type of New Yorker. It’s for the person who wants to be able to catch a Broadway show on a Tuesday night but wants to wake up to the sound of birds and the smell of the bay on Wednesday morning.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
- Get Your Pre-Approval Ready: Properties in the Heights move fast. If you aren't ready to trigger an offer within 24 hours of a viewing, you’re likely going to lose out.
- Walk the Neighborhood at Night: Derby Road is peaceful, but go see it for yourself at 8:00 PM on a Tuesday. See how the street lighting looks and how quiet it actually is.
- Check the Flood Zones: Even though Derby Road is elevated, always pull the FEMA maps for any property on a peninsula. It’s just smart due diligence.
- Visit the Train Station: Do the walk from the front door to the platform. Time it. See if it’s a walk you’re willing to do in the rain or snow.
- Talk to a Local Specialist: Don't just use a generic app. Talk to a realtor who actually lives in Port. They’ll know the history of the house, who lived there before, and if there are any planned "improvements" to the nearby parks or roads.
Buying a home here isn't just a transaction; it's a lifestyle play. You're buying into a community that values its history, its waterfront, and its ease of access to the greatest city in the world. 24 Derby Road is right in the heart of that narrative.