Peekskill (Union, Cortland, Depew: middle-class, for sale, city hall)

[newyork004]

I'm doing some research on Rockland and Westchester counties. I don't know much about Peekskill -- but enough to know people on the forums are very divided on if it's fantastic and arty or dumpy and dangerous. Either way, we want to visit the downtown and have a nice meal and look at a handful of homes on the market just to see what price gets us what kind of house. We're doing this in several areas and have no real opinion on Peekskill yet.

My question is -- what area in Peekskill is a safe place to live and possibly still walkable to the train? This is where we'd like to start looking at a few homes. If that's not possible, no big deal. Please name other areas you know of and like.

Thanks!

[dma1250]

Like most of NYC not so long ago, Peekskill is indeed "fantastic and arty" and "dumpy and dangerous" all at the same time. Which aspect is more prevalent depends on the beholder.

As for "nice" areas: The area south of Hudson Ave running from the highway up to Downing Park is nice. The area between Hudson Ave and Crompound Rd from about Union Ave all the way up the hill is very nice. Up the hill is the Mortgage Hill Area, which is very nice. North of Main Street, the area to the east of Fort Hill Park is the Fort Hill Historic District, which is very nice. Those areas are all attractive, safe, and worth a look.

Be sure to check out these must-see sites: The Peekskill Coffee House, Bean Runner Cafe, Paramount Center For the Arts, The Peekskill Brewery, and HVCCA: Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art. The Riverfront Green Park and Downing Park are also worth a look. Enjoy the trip.

[newyork004]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. We'll take a look. And I agree with your comment on it being dependent on the beholder. We would enjoy something grittier and edgier than what the rest of Westchester seems to offer. Not to mention cheaper.

But seeing the last threads, I figured I would get a lot of "Why does everyone love Peekskill so much?" comments...

[NJGirl12]

I would second all of dma's suggestions. In addition, you can also get a very tasty burger and sit outside for the lovely afternoon we are supposed to have at Kelly's, the bar that's in the train station. The Bean Runner Cafe has outdoor seating too. I also recommend stopping into Bruised Apple Books - New and Used Books, Records, CD's, and Movies, a great used book store in town.

We moved to Peekskill about 6 months ago for pretty much the same reasons you mentioned (looking for something a bit less suburban, more diverse and more affordable than the rest of Westchester). I think where we live is considered the edge of Mortgage Hill, a few blocks up the hill from the highschool near intersection of Hudson and Maple. I have walked to/from the train, but it takes me about 20 minutes or so (especially home since it's mostly uphill ) There is a nice Victorian (does need some work) for sale on Simpson that we went to see when we were looking. That would be a short walk to the train (only a few blocks), but I know less about that neighborhood.

There are definitely areas of town that are in need of some sprucing up (my own fixer of a house perhaps included in that), but since we've moved here, never found myself in circumstances where I haven't felt safe.

Good luck and happy exploring.

[Tia 914]

Originally Posted by newyork004

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. We'll take a look. And I agree with your comment on it being dependent on the beholder. We would enjoy something grittier and edgier than what the rest of Westchester seems to offer. Not to mention cheaper.

But seeing the last threads, I figured I would get a lot of "Why does everyone love Peekskill so much?" comments...

I love it because it's where I'm from... but I'm sorry I don't have any helpful info to contribute because I haven't been there in quite a few years

[Dave the H.]

The OP writes about people's attitudes about Peekskill being "very divided on if it's fantastic and arty or dumpy and dangerous."

I dunno, since I've lived here in Peekskill only two years now.

But I wouldn't call it fantastic or arty or dumpy or dangerous...at least most parts of it.

Hyperbole doesn't quite work.

That said, I wouldn't want to live on or near Main Street, west of the library and city hall. O'wise, there are a range of nice to very nice neighborhoods. More well-taken-care-of working-class and lower middle-class homes here than I've seen in most places in the northeast.

[retroglamor]

We have rented in Peekskill for the past 3 years and what looked charming and beautiful in the beginning has lost a lot of its luster. We are pretty much stuck here now because of the crappy job market and can't afford to move, but believe me, we are trying to get out.

There are some nice places in Peekskill, near Depew Park and closer to Cortlandt Manor (further away from the river), but go down the wrong block and you will be sorry. There are lots of dumpy houses crammed with illegal aliens and owned by greedy landlords who can't be bothered to make their properties look halfway decent... lots of loud, scary thugs at all hours of the night and God knows what else. A drive through town might give the illusion of a cute, artsy town - and I know they are trying - but it is simply a front. Their plans for developing the waterfront fell through and now who knows what the heck is going to happen down there. It's really sad because the town is so rich in history, right on the Hudson, but let me tell you, it is not going through the resurgance some people think it is. Not enough people care and there isn't enough money. Don't get me wrong - parts of Peekskill are great, particularly the parks, and some of the restaraunts. But I would not ever choose to buy a house there - the future of the city seems too uncertain.

Honestly, if you are looking at this area, I would suggest looking 12 miles north on Route 9 at Cold Spring. It's a beautiful, well-maintained town with a lot of character and history. Smaller than Peekskill in terms of the "town" part, but the "town" is nicer, and there's more variety. Beautiful houses and while more expensive than Peekskill in my opinion it's worth it. Also the taxes are less since it's in Putnam County.