The Best “Secret” Neighborhoods in Westchester

By Melissa Colabella

While perhaps not a secret to the residents of these towns, out of towners and even local Westchester natives are intrigued to learn about the below neighborhoods. So often buyers come up north from NYC with preconceptions about neighborhoods and strict boundary rules about where they can and cannot live. It’s always a pleasure to show someone an area they may not have considered on their own, especially when they are pleasantly surprised to have found everything they’ve been searching for.

Waterfront Luxury: Orienta Point

Designed and inspired by renowned McKim, Mead and White, these waterfront homes overlook Mamaroneck Harbor and enjoy breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound from this magnificent point where homes boast stained glass windows, high ceilings, and unique architectural details throughout.

Mamaroneck is a vibrant town sprinkled with charming antique stores, culinary eateries and a scenic harbor that attracts both local and vacationing sunbathers in the summer. A popular home for commuters who can reach mid-town Manhattan in less than 40 minutes via Metro-North. Mamaroneck is also home to quite a few highly rated schools.

The town itself boasts roughly six miles of coastline, which opens up plenty of opportunity to enjoy the water for both locals and visitors. The beaches themselves are lined with marinas, yacht clubs, and shorefront parks, which are particularly beautiful in May when the hundreds of cherry trees that adorn the harbor’s park are in their full and outstanding bloom.

Centrally Located Bucolic Privacy: West Harrison/Purchase

Most people only know of the Silver Lake neighborhood in West Harrison but the area is saturated with hills of lush greenery and luxury homes that provide ample privacy and proximity to the city of White Plains and accessibility to Metro North. All residents are assigned to the Harrison school district with separate elementary schools for Purchase and West Harrison. Purchase has a day camp and free library walking distance from the elementary school.

Situated in the north western part of Harrison near Rye Lake and the Kensico Dam, this area is deep into the woods and therefore very popular with nature lovers. Buyers will find that they can afford more home and land for their money comparable to other Southern Westchester towns in the luxury home market.

There are neighborhoods of newer construction homes throughout Purchase near Brae Burn and Old Oaks country clubs as well as peppered along tree lined windy roads like Park Lane and Buckhout Rd – areas that most Westchester residents have never seen unless they’ve been personally invited. There is a good mixture of grand colonials, Italianate revival styles, farm and Georgian mansions.

The closest train station is North White Plains, adding a few minutes drive to your daily commute. Highly suggested for those seeking privacy yet proximity.

Affordable Riverfront Living: Kemey’s Cove in Briarcliff

Kemey’s Cove is an adorable private community that enjoys breathtaking Hudson River and Palisade views. Kemey’s Cove is a dog friendly condominium complex that has its own private pool, sauna, tennis court, garden and club house. They also have “Fire-pit Friday’s” by the lake and river. It is situated within walking distance to the Scarborough Metro North Train station, although residents can take the community’s shuttle to expedite their commute and enjoy a convenient 45 minute express train to Grand Central.

The complex is minutes away from the sought after village of Tarrytown which has a vibrant downtown including a number of fantastic restaurants, antique shops, galleries and cafes.

A two bedroom condo in Kemey’s Cove can cost under $400,000.*

Historic Bronxville Living with Affordable City Taxes: Cedar Knolls, Lawrence Park & the Bronxville P.O.

Famed architect William Van Duzer Lawrence had a critical role in the development of Bronxville, hence Lawrence Park, Lawrence Hospital, and Sarah Lawrence College, which he named aptly after his wife. William Lawrence’s developments were vastly popular so he continued to buy land and expand Bronxville’s boundaries.

For this reason, you can have a “Bronxville” address and not live within Bronxville proper. “Bronxville” covers the village of Bronxville proper, the only area within the Bronxville school district, plus Chester Heights and other sections of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe, and Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa, all neighborhoods in Yonkers. All areas are taxed according to their appropriate municipalities and school districts. Yonkers, the largest city in Westchester County, has a significantly lower tax rate than Bronxville proper, a village that is roughly a mile long.

Cedar Knolls is a gorgeous historic landmark within walking distance to the Bronxville train station and a 28 minute commute to Grand Central. Step back in time within the rolling hills of grand colonials, Tudors and other neo-classical style architecture. Most of the area is unchanged since it was built in the early 20^th Century. These stately homes can cost half of what they would command in Bronxville proper with discounted tax rates to match.

*List prices and inventory are always subject to change. Data as of 1/17/2017