10 Best Towns in Westchester County (2024)
- Rye
- New Rochelle
- Bronxville
- Dobbs Ferry
- Irvington
- Edgemont
- Chappaqua
- Briarcliff Manor
- Scarsdale
- Tarrytown
1. Rye
Rye is the best place to live in Westchester thanks to its wonderful character, stellar safety record, and proximity to NYC. Rye is a small town on the coast near the Connecticut border that offers the quaint charm of a New England town with gorgeous architecture and a walkable downtown area. Plus, it’s less than an hour into Grand Central on Metro-North.
Rye offers all the benefits of a small town with easy access to urban amenities. It has excellent public schools, low crime, and plenty of golf courses, restaurants, and community centers. Plus, the city features over 454 acres of public green space that is open to everything from hiking to birdwatching. Rye has something to offer everyone with a good blend of serenity and excitement.
2. New Rochelle
Another one of the best towns in Westchester is New Rochelle. This town is located at the southern end of Westchester County, right outside New York City. It offers a nice blend of suburban atmosphere and urban excitement. Its downtown area is on the rise and features a burgeoning art scene, as well as an impressive selection of bars, restaurants, and shopping.
It also offers award-winning public schools and one of the lowest crime rates in New York. Plus, it’s only a 30-minute train ride into New York City, making it perfect for commuters. New Rochelle is ideal for those who enjoy the energy of a major city without all the hassles of living directly in Manhattan.
3. Bronxville
Another one of the best places to live in Westchester is Bronxville. This small village in southern Westchester County is located about 15 miles outside of Midtown Manhattan. It’s a small yet highly desirable area with some of the most expensive real estate in New York. It offers a quaint, small-town charm with an easy commute into Manhattan.
Bronxville High School is ranked among the best in the country and is well known for its competitive sports and academic programs. Plus, it features a bustling downtown area with plenty of great mom-and-pop shops, bookstores, and local restaurants. Bronxville features a picturesque atmosphere that looks like something out of a movie. But it’s also very expensive, and the average home in the village is over $1.4 million.
4. Dobbs Ferry
Dobb’s Ferry is also one of the best towns to live in Westchester County, as it offers beautiful nature in a tranquil setting and an easy commute to NYC. It’s a peaceful area with gorgeous tree-lined blocks and friendly neighbors. In 2014, it became the first city in New York State to be designated a Climate Smart Community for its dedication to sustainability.
It’s known to be a family-friendly village with excellent public schools and plenty of parks and community centers readily accessible. Waterfront Park, for instance, is located along the banks of the Hudson River and features playgrounds, sports fields, and plenty of open green space. Mercy College is also located in Dobbs Ferry, offering educational and employment opportunities. Dobb’s Ferry is ideal for those who want a safe place to raise a family with an easy commute into Manhattan.
5. Irvington
Irvington is another one of the best places to live in Westchester County. This small suburban village is located within the city of Greenburg, right next to Dobb’s Ferry along the Hudson. The village is known for its affluent residents and was ranked by Bloomberg as 54th on a list of America’s wealthiest places. Irvington features a half-mile-long main street area full of unique shops and restaurants.
Irvington has a relaxed atmosphere and friendly community with convenient access to Manhattan, only 40 minutes by car or Metro-North. It also features a variety of local attractions, such as the Irvington Theater, which regularly hosts live plays and films. Irvington is a lively yet laid-back village with charming energy that many residents love.
6. Edgemont
Edgemont, also known as Greenville, is another popular village within the city of Greenburg that is one of Westchester’s most coveted areas. Originally designed as a summer destination for wealthy Manhattan residents, Edgemont features some gorgeous homes in the antique colonial style. The village is also known for its great public schools, which US News and World Report ranked as the 14th best in the state and 87th best in the country. Edgemont is also a city for the affluent and was ranked number 22 on Bloomberg’s list of wealthiest places in America. But if you have the budget, the village offers fantastic schools, high quality of life, and easy access to Manhattan.
7. Chappaqua
Chappaqua is a hamlet in the town of New Castle, located in northern Westchester County. Located less than an hour outside of Manhattan, Chappaqua is a popular bedroom community with a Metro-North station that stops at Grand Central. The village has been home to various famous residents, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and actor Ben Stiller. It’s a small yet inviting town with plenty of parks, great schools, and a low crime rate. While Chappaqua is still fairly expensive compared to the national average, housing prices aren’t quite as high as some of the towns located directly outside Manhattan.
8. Briarcliff Manor
Briarcliff Manor is also one of the best towns Westchester County. It is located about 30 miles north of New York. It’s been nicknamed the village between two rivers for its position in between the Hudson and the Pocantico Rivers, and it offers a nice blend of nature and convenience.
The town was known as the home of wealthy New York families like the Rockefellers, the Astors, and the Vanderbilts, and there are several historic mansions in the village. Briarcliff Manor also has about 180 acres of public recreational facilities and parks, which are maintained by the Village’s Department of Public Works. Briarcliff Manor is still considered an affluent suburb, but for those with the budget, it’s a great place to raise a family and still commute to New York.
9. Scarsdale
Scarsdale is a peaceful village in Southern Westchester County. It’s known for its welcoming community, which hosts frequent volunteer programs and public events. Just 35 minutes from Manhattan, it’s a town full of commuters but offers the peaceful atmosphere of a suburb with tree-lined streets and open green space. Plus, it has a brand-new public library, well-regarded schools, and a Metro-North station that leads right into Manhattan. Scarsdale is also considered very affluent and was ranked by Bloomberg as one of the richest towns in the United States.
It’s easy to see why Scarsdale is considered one of the best towns in Westchester County, as it offers residents a high quality of life and easy access to urban amenities.
10. Tarrytown
Tarrytown is a village in the city of Greenburg located north of Irvington and Dobbs Ferry along the Hudson River. The village features a quaint main street with a great selection of local restaurants and boutiques. The Tarrytown Music Hall is at the heart of the downtown area and hosts performances by famous musicians and comedians.
The Hudson River Walk is another local attraction that features an esplanade along the water with green space filled with native plants. With a laidback atmosphere and direct access to Grand Central, Tarrytown is another popular destination for commuters in search of a quiet place to raise a family.