5 Merlin Lane, East Setauket — Home Profile
There’s a version of Setauket that shows up in real estate searches — and then there’s the version people discover once they’ve been here a while. Merlin Lane is the second kind. Tucked into the Storybrook neighborhood, it’s a quiet residential pocket where the homes are well-kept, the lots breathe, and the Three Village schools are the reason half the block moved here in the first place.
5 Merlin Lane is a meticulously maintained colonial that’s been thoughtfully updated without losing its bones. A proper backyard retreat, an 18-foot family room extension, an updated kitchen — this is a home someone actually lived in carefully, and it shows. The profile below covers everything the listing page won’t: verified data, school details, neighborhood context, and what this house actually competes against in the current market.
Property Details
The Basics
- StyleColonial
- ConstructionFrame
- Bedrooms4
- Full Baths2
- Half Baths1
- Living Area2,573 sq ft
- Total Structure3,125 sq ft
- Lot Size0.35 acres
- Year Built1970
- Garage2-Car Attached
- ParkingDriveway (updated pavers)
- BasementPartial, Half-Finished
- FireplaceYes (1) — Gas, Living Room
- FlooringCarpet, Tile
Systems & Utilities
- CoolingCentral Air
- HeatOil, Baseboard
- WaterPublic
- SewerCesspool
- UtilitiesElectricity, Propane, Public Trash
- PoolFreeform Heated In-Ground (new liner, new filter, Loop-Loc cover)
- HOANone
- LaundryIn Basement
Key Interior Features
- Family Room18-ft rear extension — cathedral ceiling, open to main living areas
- KitchenUpdated, high-end stainless appliances, pot filler, island, breakfast bar, custom finishes
- Primary SuiteOversized, large walk-in closet, updated bath
- Interior DetailsCrown moulding, custom woodwork, Andersen windows, ceiling fans, entrance foyer, formal dining
- BasementHome office space, Milliken carpeting, custom closets
- OutdoorBi-level deck, heated freeform pool, beautifully landscaped, fenced
- ExclusionsAll chandeliers
Tax & Financial Data
Tax figure sourced from OneKey MLS. Verify current bill via the Town of Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes portal before relying on for budgeting purposes.
Parcel ID: 0200201000700013000 | Suffolk County, Town of Brookhaven | MLS# 999948
School District
Three Village is among the most recognized public school districts on Long Island — and one of the primary reasons buyers make the move to this part of the North Shore. Ward Melville ranks in the top tier of New York State high schools, with 83% math proficiency and 72% reading proficiency against state averages of 52% and 49% respectively. Nassakeag Elementary, the assigned school for this address, is consistently ranked among the top elementary schools in the state. The district was founded through the vision of philanthropist Ward Melville, who donated land to unify the Setauket and Stony Brook communities — and that founding ethos of investment in education still shows.
The Neighborhood
Historic Setauket
East Setauket is one of Long Island’s oldest settled communities, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. The Village Green, the Caroline Church, and the surrounding streets carry that history without feeling like a museum — it’s lived-in and genuine.
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University sits about 3 miles away — a world-class research institution that gives this corridor a cultural and economic weight that most Long Island suburbs simply don’t have. The proximity brings programming, employment, and consistent demand.
Harbor & Water Access
Setauket Harbor, West Meadow Beach, and the broader Port Jefferson Harbor area are minutes away. This is Long Island Sound country — calm water, kayaking, fishing, and sunsets that make the commute worth it.
Commuter Access
Port Jefferson Station is the closest LIRR stop, with service to Penn Station and Grand Central. The LIE and Route 347 offer direct highway access. This is a genuinely commutable location — not just technically, but practically.
What Makes This Home Stand Out
The 18-Foot Family Room Addition
A rear extension of this scale transforms how a home actually lives. Cathedral ceilings, open flow to kitchen and dining — this isn’t a bump-out, it’s the kind of space that makes a 2,573 sq ft house feel significantly larger. It’s the first thing people notice and the last thing they forget.
A Backyard That Actually Delivers
The freeform heated inground pool with a new liner, new filter, and Loop-Loc cover, paired with a bi-level deck on a beautifully landscaped, fenced lot — this is a backyard that earns its listing description. In East Setauket’s sub-half-acre inventory, outdoor space this well-executed is a genuine differentiator.
A Kitchen With Professional DNA
A pot filler, high-end stainless appliances, a kitchen island, custom finishes — the hallmarks of a kitchen that was updated by someone who actually cooks, not someone staging for resale. The open layout into the extended family room makes it the undeniable center of this home.
Three Village Schools Without the Premium Zip Code Price
At $899,999 in one of Long Island’s most respected school districts, this is a meaningful value equation. Comparable access to Three Village — and Ward Melville in particular — often comes at a higher price of entry. The location on Merlin Lane keeps you squarely in the district without the premium commanded by closer-to-the-water addresses.
