Blueprint: Named for Chief Katonah, a native from whom the land of Bedford was purchased by a group of English Colonists, the village of Katonah was moved to its present site in 1897, when its former location was flooded to create the Cross River Reservoir.
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The historically preserved, picturesque village of Katonah, the unofficial cultural capital of Northern Westchester, is upscale but not uppity, offering a desirable combo of town and country, galleries, music and arts centers, and great schools.​Façade: A pristine, historically preserved village that has maintained its original character through the centuries. It’s upscale, bucolic, and culturally rich.
Foundation: Katonah features broad intersections, open green space, Victorian architecture, and a central business district adjacent to its railroad station. Katonah is home to the Katonah Museum of Art, the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and the John Jay Homestead. Amid independently owned department stores, coffee shops (Tazzo, The Reading Room, Noka Joes) serve locals in a quaint town that has lots of character. Says resident Chris Schaaf: “It’s that feeling of community here that I love.”
Recent Reno: None. “Bedford is strict on zoning,” says Coldwell Banker’s Randy Faust.
Trending: “It’s very popular,” says Faust. “Old renovated homes fly off the market.” With an average selling price of $998,335, the Katonah market has essentially returned to the pre-housing-bubble price points of 2008.
Selling Points: Setting, culture, walkability, great school district. Residents enjoy the Katonah Park with a swimming pool and playing fields, as well as the Bedford Hills and Bedford Village town parks.
Trade-off: The Metro-North commute to Manhattan is a little long, at just over an hour.
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Starting Point: $500,000
Topping Out: $1.3M
Best For: families, artists, art lovers
Need to Know: Older homes dominate the market; there is not a lot of new construction.
Fast Fact: The village of Katonah doesn’t have a single traffic light.
Assessment: Classic village living melds with a laid-back, quasi-bohemian vibe.
Best Thing About Living Here: “The shop owners know and remember you; you always run into someone you know.” —Chris Schaaf, longtime resident
