A Revolutionary War “hill” district close to a bustling city downtown, an amenity-filled development in Rye Brook, a scenic education-centric section of Greenburgh, and more:
Battle Hill, White Plains
Once the site of the Battle of White Plains during the Revolutionary War, today the roughly two-square-mile Battle Hill neighborhood is home to a diverse population and an array of pre-war, Colonial-style homes. Many of its 5,000 residents call the neighborhood “the Hill,” and tout its tight-knit feel and active neighborhood association, with bake sales and block parties as common occurrences. Made up of mostly private homes, with a few scattered condos and apartment buildings, the neighborhood gives residents easy access to bustling downtown White Plains—without having to be right in the heart of it all. Also close by is a recreation area on Chatterton Avenue, and Whitney Park, which is the site of outdoor concerts in the summer and an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
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Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains |
BelleFair, Rye Brook
Though it is part of Rye Brook, the home development of BelleFair acts like a little self-contained city, with its own recreational facilities, a meeting house, a village green, a small country market, its own child care facility (operated by Bright Horizons), an independent living senior residence (Atria Rye Brook), and shuttle service to the Metro-North station in Port Chester. The community’s 261 homes were designed and built by luxury homebuilder Spectrum Skanska, and come in a variety of styles. Located about a mile from the King Street/Anderson Hill Road intersection, BelleFair opened in 1999, and was completed in 2001. It lacks the history of many of Westchester’s unique neighborhoods, but it offers many amenities those neighborhoods lack.
Edgemont, Greenburgh
Sometimes referred to as “Scarsdale lite,” the Edgemont neighborhood—a 2.76-square-mile unincorporated section of Greenburgh—is nestled between Central Avenue and the Bronx River Parkway. The high-end homes (historic Tudors are plentiful, and many claim a Scarsdale PO) and stellar school system are the biggest draw, but residents also enjoy easy access to the Hartsdale Metro-North station as well as nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment options in Hartsdale, Scarsdale, and on Central Avenue. All this plus pretty, hilly scenery and winding, tree-lined streets mean pricey mortgages are standard, but residents say it’s worth the price—and it’s still less pricey than Scarsdale.
Fleetwood, Mount Vernon
A commuter’s heaven (just 30 minutes to Grand Central Station via Metro-North), the Fleetwood section of Mount Vernon offers co-ops in pre- and post-war buildings as well as a good selection of large, elegant older homes. Located right off of Exit 8 on the Cross County and just one mile from the Hutch, the neighborhood’s convenience attracts a diverse mix—from singles who work in the City to seniors who enjoy the area’s walkability, and young families looking for starter homes. A thriving business district on Gramatan Avenue adds to the appeal.
Poets Corner, Hartsdale
Fans of the romantic poems of John Keats or the historical work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow will love the Hartsdale neighborhood of Poets Corner: Its 26 streets are all named for famed poets. Sitting just off the intersection of Dobbs Ferry Road and
Hartsdale Avenue, the cheery streets boast a mix of home styles, with everything from Cape Cods to ranches, Tudors, and Colonials. The neighborhood is home to Ridge Road Park (picnic areas, playground, athletic fields, and wooded trails), and also encompasses two working farms on Secor Road, operated by Westchester Greenhouses and Farms, a local company that sells produce and flowers from a roadside stand. The residential enclave also has easy access to the bustling shopping centers on Central Avenue.
Star Sightings: Which notables live in your town?
Purchase
Kenneth Cole, fashion designer
Joe Girardi, New York Yankees manager
Chris Madden, interior designer
Mount Vernon
LaChanze, actress
Bronxville
​Roger S Goodell, NFL commissioner
Harrison
Joe Torre, former New York Yankees manager
Pelham
Janine Rose, news anchor for News 12 Westchester
Scarsdale
​Rupert Holmes, composer/producer/writer
