Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow vs Riverdale for single 20 something? (Yonkers, Syracuse: rentals, coop)

[MacheteJames]

Hey everyone,

I posted a message on here a while back, you can see the thread I started called "Getting a handle on Westchester". I've been getting more used to the area but still want to move out of Ossining when my lease is up in a few months. It's just too family-oriented here for me and I can't take it any more.

I'm looking at a few places: my job is in Ossining so it needs to be within a reasonable distance/time, given Westchester's congestion and $4.50 gas. I've spent some time in Tarrytown and really like the vibe there, and Sleepy Hollow is similar although a bit more working class (and the two Village downtowns are literally side by side, anyway). Rents appear to be a good bit higher in Tarrytown than Ossining so there's a chance I'll need a roommate.

The other place I'm considering is Riverdale. I took a visit there and it seems pretty pleasant and tranquil, and the 1 train and Metro North are within walking distance. It isn't a hip neighborhood by any stretch, but it is within the city and the full range of transit options are there. It's 25 miles from Riverdale to the office and I'd probably drive some of the time, like when I need the car for work assignments, and just take the train the rest of the time. The plus for Riverdale is that most of my friends in the tri-state live in NYC and so I'd be closer to them (though I wonder if they'll still come visit me way up in the northwestern Bronx).

You may wonder why I haven't considered the other river towns, and this is because I've heard from talking to co-workers that Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, and Irvington tend to be a bit on the snobby side and are real "money towns". I don't want to feel like an outsider again like I do here. Correct me if you think this perception is wrong. Croton and Peekskill are too far from NYC, and Yonkers is so close to the city that I may as well live in the Bronx if I'm gonna be that far from work.

Thoughts?

[fyrisle]

Hi - I noted that you thought the ride to Croton was too long. An express from Croton takes between 42 and 46 minutes. The quickest trains from Ossining are actually a little longer.

[MacheteJames]

Hi, thanks.... Croton is a pretty town but it's off my list for two reasons... one, because it takes literally forever to get back to Croton on Metro North at night. On the 1:00 and 1:50 trains, all stops are local and it's over an hour to Croton. Second, it's a bit too suburban for my taste, though I love Croton Point Park.

[bmwguydc]

Parts of Tarrytown are pretty nice, and it has come a long way in recent years. Your perception of the other towns along the river, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, and especially Irvington as being wealthier towns is correct, and they do attract a higher proportion of families as opposed to singles. There are some (relatively few) multi-unit rentals in Irvington, but they would be significantly more expensive than Ossining and parts of Tarrytown. Irvington has been wealthy for generations, unlike some of the other river towns that have appreciated in the more recent past, yet were not as expensive when they were built. Sleepy Hollow, the new name since the mid 90s, is mixed, that's for sure since you have some exclusive areas and some that were traditionally blue collar. The closing of the GM Plant, however, and the proposed redevlopment as a mixed-use residential/commercial site has started to change this in parts of the town.

That said, I would really consider Riverdale as a single person. There are many families in this area as well, but it does have its share of singles and it's an easy Manhattan commute for entertainment, meeting friends, etc.

It's easy to get to and from Manhattan on Metro North, or the express busses operated by the MTA. You can take the subway from Broadway to Manhattan as well, though it can be a hike from parts of Riverdale and might necessitate taking the city bus first.

Riverdale does have a good number of restaurants in its shopping areas on Johnson and Riverdale Avenues. Plus, the proximity to the city, and availability of parking makes it an attractive option. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are further from the city, and can be a little more limited in terms of train schedules home if you are planning to be out late at night.

I would stay away from most of Yonkers, especially most of Yonkers on the water. While some new renovations and developments are taking shape, there are some negative aspects of the city that would impact on the quality of life. And, it's does not have the same conveniences of Riverdale, which does not necessarily have to cost that much more in terms of rent. Plus, you're more likely to get visitors to Riverdale than Yonkers.

[Prof. Knitwit]

You should definitely check out Riverdale. My husband and I just bought a coop there and love it. It's definitely very peaceful but has a lot of amenities of nyc without the big price tag. Your friends still may balk at the prospect of coming up to the Bronx - but it certainly would be more convenient than westchester. I don't think that there are a ton of things to do for a single person, but manhattan is only a bus or subway away.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the area. We spent about a year researching the area before deciding to go for it.

[Elvi03]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Parts of Tarrytown are pretty nice, and it has come a long way in recent years. Your perception of the other towns along the river, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, and especially Irvington as being wealthier towns is correct, and they do attract a higher proportion of families as opposed to singles. There are some (relatively few) multi-unit rentals in Irvington, but they would be significantly more expensive than Ossining and parts of Tarrytown. Irvington has been wealthy for generations, unlike some of the other river towns that have appreciated in the more recent past, yet were not as expensive when they were built. Sleepy Hollow, the new name since the mid 90s, is mixed, that's for sure since you have some exclusive areas and some that were traditionally blue collar. The closing of the GM Plant, however, and the proposed redevlopment as a mixed-use residential/commercial site has started to change this in parts of the town.

That said, I would really consider Riverdale as a single person. There are many families in this area as well, but it does have its share of singles and it's an easy Manhattan commute for entertainment, meeting friends, etc.

It's easy to get to and from Manhattan on Metro North, or the express busses operated by the MTA. You can take the subway from Broadway to Manhattan as well, though it can be a hike from parts of Riverdale and might necessitate taking the city bus first.

Riverdale does have a good number of restaurants in its shopping areas on Johnson and Riverdale Avenues. Plus, the proximity to the city, and availability of parking makes it an attractive option. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are further from the city, and can be a little more limited in terms of train schedules home if you are planning to be out late at night.

I would stay away from most of Yonkers, especially most of Yonkers on the water. While some new renovations and developments are taking shape, there are some negative aspects of the city that would impact on the quality of life. And, it's does not have the same conveniences of Riverdale, which does not necessarily have to cost that much more in terms of rent. Plus, you're more likely to get visitors to Riverdale than Yonkers.

I completely agree with you about Riverdale. I lived there for 7 years and then moved to Westchester. I truly miss the accessibility to Manhattan! It is great to enjoy all the city has to offer and really only be 15 minutes down the West Side Highway (and the cab ride is within city limits to no "suburbs charge").

Do your Manhattan friends visit you now??? My city friends have referred to our house as being in "upstate" which is hillarious, considering I live in a Pleasantville P.O.!

[MacheteJames]

Originally Posted by Elvi03

I completely agree with you about Riverdale. I lived there for 7 years and then moved to Westchester. I truly miss the accessibility to Manhattan! It is great to enjoy all the city has to offer and really only be 15 minutes down the West Side Highway (and the cab ride is within city limits to no "suburbs charge").

Do your Manhattan friends visit you now??? My city friends have referred to our house as being in "upstate" which is hillarious, considering I live in a Pleasantville P.O.!

They've never come once. Westchester may as be Syracuse as far as they are concerned. It's funny how the distance is so short, but psychologically, they think of it as a far off place.

[doghead]

Machete James,
I live in Hastings and completely agree. It's snobby and overrated. Hastings could be an interesting town, but aside from the Hudson river, it has very little in the way of interesting shopping. I feel the same way about Dobbs. And I have heard good things about Riverdale. Good luck.

[dma1250]

Originally Posted by MacheteJames

They've never come once. Westchester may as be Syracuse as far as they are concerned. It's funny how the distance is so short, but psychologically, they think of it as a far off place.

In the summer my city friends come up all the time--one or two visitors each weekend, if we allow it. They're all desperate to get out of the city and walk in the woods. In the winter it is less frequent--about one a month. But we're a lot older than you, and so are most of our friends!