Fairfield at St. James

Independent Assessment

Fairfield at St. James is confirmed as a genuine, long-established, large 55+ condominium community with consistent multi-source agreement on its 653-unit count, 1972-1989 construction span, and multi-pool/clubhouse amenity base. Critically, Fairfield at St. James is also confirmed as a distinct, for-sale condominium community and is NOT the same as "Fairfield Estates at St. James," a Fairfield Properties-branded rental apartment complex located nearby at 206 Jefferson Avenue in Saint James -- the two share a similar name and general area but are unrelated entities with different ownership models. Reported HOA fees vary notably by source and by section (roughly $400 to $845 per month), which is attributed to the community's unusual four-section governance structure rather than a data conflict; buyers should confirm the specific fee for the exact section under consideration. The original developer's identity was not independently confirmed.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers drawn to one of Smithtown's largest and most established 55+ condo communities, who want a wide range of unit sizes and price points across its four sections, and who value multiple pools (including an indoor pool) plus tennis and pickleball, are a strong fit for Fairfield at St. James. Its North Shore location near the Smith Haven Mall and beaches also suits buyers who want a well-located, amenity-rich resale community without new-construction pricing.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Fairfield at St. James was built in phases between 1972 and 1989, ultimately comprising 653 homes -- predominantly condominium units ranging from approximately 1,100 to 1,600 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and a one-car garage or driveway, plus a smaller number of three-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhomes with an attached garage or driveway. Most units include a private balcony or patio. Nothing in the sources reviewed independently confirmed the identity of the original developer. The community is fully built out, and current purchases are resale.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

Recent sales data for Fairfield at St. James reported a median sale price in the roughly $500,000-$510,000 range, with condo pricing in the broader St. James market spanning approximately $429,000 to $649,000. Because pricing and fees can vary meaningfully by section, buyers should request current closed comparables specific to the section, model, and unit type under consideration from a local agent familiar with St. James.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Fairfield at St. James was built out between 1972 and 1989 and has been fully built out for decades, so all current purchases are resale. Given the community's age and multi-section governance, buyers should budget for a full independent inspection and should request the specific section's current financials, reserve study, and governing-document package before purchasing.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes at Fairfield at St. James are subject to Town of Smithtown and Suffolk County property tax at the current municipal and county rate; sources note the community carries comparatively low property taxes for the area. Buyers should confirm current tax figures directly with the Suffolk County Tax Assessor's office and request the applicable section's current financials and reserve study before purchasing.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Fairfield at St. James offers an established, amenity-rich 55+ lifestyle spread across its four sections, with an indoor pool for year-round swimming, two outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball, and a full clubhouse. Its green, pond-studded grounds and resident bus service support a self-contained, low-maintenance lifestyle for buyers who want variety in unit size and price point within a single well-established community.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Fairfield at St. James is located in the St. James hamlet of the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, accessible via Route 347 and Moriches Road on Long Island's North Shore. The community is near the Smith Haven Mall, movies, restaurants, cultural activities, and beaches, with resident bus service supplementing car access to nearby shopping.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Fairfield at St. James is marketed as a 55+ active adult community, consistent with the federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) framework requiring at least one resident 55 or older in at least 80% of occupied units. Because the community is divided into four separately governed sections, buyers should confirm the exact current standard and verification procedures directly with the specific section's board before purchasing, as each section's own recorded governing-document age-restriction language was not independently reviewed.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Because Fairfield at St. James is divided into four separately governed sections with different management structures (two professional, two self-managed) and different reported fee levels, buyers should carefully confirm which section a given listing belongs to and that section's specific governance, fee history, and reserve funding before purchasing. Buyers should also take care to distinguish this for-sale condo community from the similarly named, unrelated "Fairfield Estates at St. James" rental apartment complex nearby, and confirm directly with the relevant section's board whether any current age-restriction, occupancy, or rental-policy differences exist between sections.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Fairfield at St. James has 653 homes and is located in the Town of Smithtown, offering more unit-type variety (condos plus some townhomes) and a wider amenity base (indoor pool, tennis, pickleball) than the smaller Stony Brook condo communities (Strathmore Gate, The Oaks, The Knolls) in nearby Brookhaven. Buyers should take care not to confuse it with the unrelated "Fairfield Estates at St. James" rental apartment complex nearby, or with other Fairfield Properties-branded rental communities elsewhere on Long Island (Fairfield Knolls, Fairfield Greens at Holbrook, Fairfield Centereach Gardens, Fairfield Hills at Farmingville, Fairfield Townhouses at Selden).

Current Listings

A connected local agent can provide current available resale inventory, recent closed comparables by section and model, and current fee information at Fairfield at St. James.

Is Fairfield at St. James the same as Fairfield Properties' rental communities?

No. Fairfield at St. James is an independent, for-sale 55+ condominium community. It is unrelated to the Fairfield Properties-branded rental apartment communities elsewhere on Long Island (including the similarly named "Fairfield Estates at St. James" rental complex nearby), despite the shared brand-adjacent name.

Why do HOA fees vary so much at Fairfield at St. James?

The community is divided into four separately governed sections, two professionally managed and two self-managed by residents, each with its own fee structure. Confirm the specific fee for the section a given listing belongs to.

Is Fairfield at St. James legally age-restricted?

It is marketed as a 55+ community consistent with the federal HOPA framework. Each section's recorded governing-document language was not independently reviewed; confirm directly with the specific section's board.

Does Fairfield at St. James have an indoor pool?

Yes. In addition to two outdoor pools, the community's clubhouse includes an indoor pool, along with a fitness center and billiards room.