Page 18 - Westchester - 2017 Relocation Guide

JIM HENDERSON
FRANK ROBERTS
PEEKSKILL: Though the British burned it twice during the Revolutionary War, you’d never know it today. Downtown, galleries, boutiques, and cafés add a decidedly artsy, urban air to a neighborhood that includes a mixture of new housing and turn-of-the- century Victorian homes, all bordered by the Hudson River. The Paramount Theater brings icons like Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Michael Feinstein, George Clinton & Parlia- ment Funkadelic, and Bob Newhart to its historic stage.
RYE: One of Westchester’s oldest commu- nities, Rye is an intimate area boasting 14 beautiful miles of coastline on Long Island Sound. The town is separate from the city of Rye, which is one of the smallest cities in New York. The town includes the villages of Rye Brook and Port Chester, as well as a portion of the Rye Neck section of the vil- lage of Mamaroneck. The city of Rye is home to the historic Rye Playland, known for its 100-year-old carousel and wooden roller coaster. In fact, the Dragon Coaster is one of the oldest wooden coasters in the North- east and listed on many roller-coaster blogs as one not to be missed.
WHITE PLAINS: With the largest walkable downtown center in the Westchester, White Plains has a residential population of some 60,000 and a business-day population of
Above: Against the backdrop of the Hudson Highlands, Peekskill’s Riverfront Green Park is the ideal place to stroll the riverbank while viewing great art; (right) the 1892 Civil War memorial at Yonkers’ Philipse Manor Hall commemorates
the sons of the city who were lost in the War Between the States.
nearly 250,000. The city caters to young pro- fessionals and empty-nesters, with all the amenities they require, including a variety of housing options, restaurants, business- es, and cultural events. As the county seat, White Plains is home to a number of courts and state and federal government offices. Its restaurants include Asian, Latin, Indian, and Mediterranean options, to name just a few.
YONKERS: This 18-square-mile, riverside city is the most densely populated in West- chester, supporting nearly 200,000 residents. Investing millions of dollars in the redevel- opment of its downtown and waterfront, Yonkers has spurred economic growth and a boom in residential housing that has kicked off an exciting urban renaissance. Residents enjoy the city atmosphere with bucolic pock- ets of suburbia and treasures like the Hud- son River Museum, the recently renovated Recreational Pier, and Andrus Planetarium. A collection of contrasts, with both modern shopping centers and neighborhood mom- and-pop shops, Yonkers has it all.
THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES
ARDSLEY: Located in Southern Westches- ter, the small, vibrant village of Ardsley
is part of the town of Greenburgh. It is becoming the epicenter of high-level sports training and competition in the region, with the largest indoor-sports complex in the metropolitan area. The House of Sports is home to world-class coaches who train thousands of athletes weekly.
BEDFORD: The bucolic, historic town of Bedford has an old-time allure, with its horse farms, walking trails, and Colonial properties. The parks of today provide a tranquil respite, as well as family fun. One quaint option for residents comes from the Bedford Recreation and Parks Department. When planning a picnic at the local parks, contact the department a week or more in advance and request a “picnic pack.” Then on your picnic day, you will enjoy outdoor game equipment, such as frisbees, whiffle balls and bats, jump ropes, and playground balls.
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