We set out to assess how true (or false) the definitions of Westchester towns are on urbandictionary.com. The results? Mixed indeed.
Ardsley: “Let’s just say that town consists of a Starbucks, CVS, and maybe six other stores.” [False—Ardsley has more than 30 retail stores and restaurants.] “90 percent of the people there are white, rich suburbanites.” [Somewhat true—76 percent of Ardsley’s population is Caucasian; the mean household income is more than $150,000.]
Bronxville: “It’s the kind of town where only those who can buy themselves in belong.” [True—Bronxville comes in at number 163 on Forbes’ list of America’s 500 Most Expensive ZIP Codes.]
Chappaqua: “An aging hamlet in Northern Westchester [True—the hamlet was first settled by the Quakers in the early 1700s], truly lacking in diversity.” [Somewhat false—while 75.5 percent of the population is white, 12.5 percent is Asian, and 7.8 percent is Hispanic.]
Harrison: “Mainly composed of burly, uneducated people.” [False—50 percent of Harrison residents age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, compared to just over 30 percent in the US.]
Pelham: “Known for having way too many general stores and pizza places.” [Somewhat true—an Internet search pulls up eight pizzerias in Pelham, about one for every 850 residents.]
Rye: “If you live in Rye, chances are you have at least three friends with a BMW.” [Somewhat true—there are three BMW dealers within 10 miles of Rye.] “Screw the OC, Rye is the place to party!” [Somewhat false—there are no nightclubs in the city; however, there are 15 restaurants and four bars.]
Somers: “The houses are too expensive and exclusive for anyone to afford.” [Somewhat false—the median value of a house or condo in Somers is $552,514.] “Its warmth and quaintness gives it a ‘cute, bedroom town’ appeal.” [True—Somers has numerous lake communities and town- and County-owned parks that lend a quaint feel.]
White Plains: “A boring, phony, sterile ‘city’ in Westchester” [False—White Plains was ranked in the 100 Best Places to Live by CNNMoney and has 60-plus restaurants and bars/lounges.] “Has…little culture, flavor, or character to it.” [Somewhat false—the Music Conservatory of Westchester, ArtsWestchester, the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and many ethnic restaurants can be found in the city.]