LIRR 'just a bonus' for some Station Yards, Fairfield residents

The potential for a Long Island Rail Road worker strike loomed over Long Islanders this week, particularly those who live in transit-oriented developments.

Long Island has a growing number of these complexes, which offer amenities such as gyms, pools and proximity to a host of businesses, along with the main selling point: The developments are built near LIRR stations, in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Although the strike was delayed on Monday, some residents of these complexes were not too concerned to begin with, empathizing with the workers and preparing to make alternate travel plans.

According to the Station Yards website, base rents for a 15-month lease on available units range from 

$2,806 per month

for a one-bed, one bath unit to

$5,063 per month

for a two-bed, two-bath unit.

It just comes with the territory.

— Joel Ortiz, who lives in Station Yards in Ronkonkoma

A shutdown of the trains doesn't take away from his love of his home, said Joel Ortiz, of Ronkonkoma. He's been living in the Station Yards complex for over a year.

"The train doesn't make me like where I live," said Ortiz, 39. He commutes to Brooklyn every day, working for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "It's just a bonus. I like the area, and I like living on Long Island."

Ortiz moved here from Carle Place, and grew up in Brooklyn. Although the train was a big reason for the move, the complex offers other perks that suit him, like pet-friendly units to accommodate his dogs, Mocha and Keiko.

In the event of a strike, Ortiz said he would have used the shuttle bus service provided by the MTA or drive himself to work. "Probably a combination of both," he said.

"Being a New Yorker, you have to plan and you have to come up with different scenarios, and obstacles to get around," Ortiz added. "And that's just every day, with a strike or without a strike. It just comes with the territory."

I liked how close it was to the center of the Island, and the LIE.

— Greg Matheson, who lives in Station Yards in Ronkonkoma

Greg Matheson has been living in Station Yards for just over a year. The main selling point of the complex for him: "I liked how close it was to the center of the Island, and the LIE," he said.

The veterinarian works locally, and only relies on the LIRR for recreational activities — for example, the strike would have impacted his travel plans to go to Manhattan to see the Broadway play "Oh, Mary!" this weekend.

"I've lived in big cities," said Matheson, who resided in the Florida panhandle and Washington, D.C., before moving to Ronkonkoma. Referring to the strike, "things happen, and people stand up for what they need," he said.

On a recent weekday afternoon, Matheson browsed Cornucopia, a health food store that just opened below the Station Yards apartments. Other businesses there, like the fruit bowl and smoothie shop Playa Bowls, offer 10% off discounts to residents and regularly send out coupons.

According to the Fairfield Metro At Farmingdale Village website, rents on available units range from 

$3,340 per month

for a one-bed, one bath unit to

$4,435 per month

for a two-bed, two-bath unit.

If I can't go to the city, I go to Main Street... It's not the end of the world.

—Delilah Harris, who lives at Fairfield Metro At Farmingdale Village

Delilah Harris, 28, works for a program that houses international students attending St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington at the Fairfield Metro At Farmingdale Village complex. Harris also lives there, and moved from Chicago for her job.

Some of the apartments that are located next to the tracks shake whenever a train passes by, Harris said. But "it's not too bad" from what she called the "train-facing" apartments, which overlook the tracks from more of a distance.

"It's nice living here because we have Main Street, so if I can't go to the city, I go to Main Street," Harris said. "It's not the end of the world."

Harris doesn't have a car, and although she wishes there were more public transportation options on Long Island, her living situation works for her. Her boyfriend lives upstate and they rely on the train to see each other, Harris said.

"I'm lucky I live so close to the Farmingdale metro, so I can take the train into the city on the weekends," she said.