7 Reasons Why Westchester County is a Great Place to Live

Thinking of moving from NYC to Westchester?

Dreaming of verdant parks? a backyard? sandy beaches? your very own laundry room? And great schools that don’t require a months-long application process? If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and upgrading from your apartment to a home, consider Westchester County!

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Take it from one of my clients, Dorothy P., who moved to Rye from upper Manhattan after the birth of her second child:

“Every time a firetruck drove by our building, my colicky baby would wake up from his nap,” Dorothy recalls. “The noised and crowds in New York City were awfully intense for my kids. When we left the city for a getaway, I noticed they loved the freedom to run around and play in the dirt. Now, we’re across the street from nature; we can see the stars.”

There are so many reasons to choose Westchester. I’ve included some of my favorites — and some of my clients’ favorites — right here. Have a look:

1. Top notch schools
Often a primary motivator for people to move to Westchester County, our public schools deserve their excellent reputation! Westchester’s schools offer high quality teaching, robust academic courses, and enriching activities—plus there’s no interview to get in! In fact, in its most recent rankings, the ratings website Niche included four Westchester districts in its top 20 list.

2. Great food
We’ll admit: the 24-hour cycle of food delivery may not be widely available in Westchester, but you don’t need to go into New York City for gourmet food or a high-end experience! Westchester is home to fine dining establishments with world-renowned chefs — Jean-George, the Inn at Pound Ridge; Dan Barber of Blue Hill; and Peter Kelley, X2O Xaviars on the Hudson, are just a few of the notables!

3. Scenic waterfront
Want to splash in the Long Island Sound? Kayak on the Hudson? Swim in a lake? Westchester residents have access to a several public beaches including Playland Beach in Rye (home to the Rye Playland amusement park made famous by the movie Big starring Tom Hanks!); Glen Island and Harbor Island Park Beach in New Rochelle, and Croton Point Park Beach in Croton-on-Hudson. There are also several private beach clubs throughout the county.

4. Arts and culture
Westchester boasts world-class museums (The Neuberger Museum of Art); performance spaces with first-rate shows (Westchester Broadway Theatre, The Capitol Theatre, Tarrytown Music Hall); one-of-a-kind arts centers (Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts); historical homes and mansions (Kykuit; John Hay Homestead); and dozens of community arts centers, galleries, and venues for cultural exchange.

5. Beautiful homes
There’s a home to suit any preference or price point in Westchester! We have classic and custom Colonials, contemporary estates, waterfront luxury villas, historic and antique houses, and brand-new construction. Sizes, styles, and prices vary.

6. Proximity to NYC
With commutes averaging 30 minutes by train from Lower Westchester, getting into midtown from Westchester for work or play is a breeze!

7. Fabulous lifestyle
If you’re frustrated by squeezing your double-stroller into an elevator, waiting for your grocery delivery, or straining to hear your kids above the screech of a subway train, you know what I’m talking about. Lifestyle. In Westchester, you can load the kids into the car, drive to the beach, stop at the grocery store, and pull right into your garage. But it’s so much more than convenience!

Dorothy sums it up best:

“Now, we have access to space. Calm. We make piles of leaves, play in the snow, and go to the shore. My property value in Rye remain steady; our school is great. It’s a good feeling to know we’ve made a solid investment in a desirable community.”

Need help finding a home that’s right for your family? Fiona Dogan is a Licensed Realtor in the Rye office of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty. She was named among ‘America’s Best Real Estate Professionals’ by Real Trends, and is a Westchester Five Star Real Estate Agent, a Platinum Award Winner, and an Accredited Buyer Representative. Call 914-414-5147 to schedule a consultation.