Purdys (Bedford, Mount Kisco, Chappaqua: buying a house, buying, live in)

[Dewdrop93]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are looking into buying a house and we found one that we like in Purdys. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what the area is like. I know it's going to be a bit of a commute for us into the city but the house is right near the train station.
I was looking on the map and it doesn't look like there is much of a downtown area - where is the nearest downtown area? Where are the closest grocery stores, restaurants, etc. I'm a bit of a city girl and I'm worried about moving somewhere that isn't close to some nice grocery stores, sushi restaurants, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[Scorby]

I grew up in Purdys, (a hamlet of the town of North Salem), and am sad to report that the nearest downtown area is several towns away.

If proximity to a train station is important, I'd consider one of the towns further south on the Harlem Line.

Croton Falls/Purdys/Goldens Bridge are all too rural for someone looking for anything that could be considered downtown (and I know you don't need SoHo, just a part of town that has sidewalks, a coffee shop, dry cleaner, bar or two, restaurant or three, etc).

Katonah has a nice little village feel, and homes within walking distance of the train and retail, but it's one of (if not the - depending on who you ask) most expensive places in the country.

Any house within walking distance of the Bedford Hills train station is going to feel too disconnected from the surrounding area. There's a mini village at the train station, and my old sadistic pediatrician had his dungeon, er, office right there, but when you say "I live in Bedford... Hills" you lose points with the snobs who live in Beeeeeeeedfuuuud.

Mount Kisco is the most city-like town in the northern half of Westchester, and while the main drag is kind of dreary, there are some darn nice homes to be had. Remember the exterior shots of Fatal Attraction? Mt. Kisco.

Chappaqua is a darling little town, and the area near the train station has some retail, and you'll bump into Bill Clinton and my ex-girlfriend at Starbucks (tell Bill I said hi, ignore "her"), but it's kinda small.

Anything further south than that and you're getting into a different way of life (smaller homes, higher prices, higher density, etc, etc). Northern Westchester is radically different from southern Westchester... it depends on what you're looking for.

Mod cut: not necessary

[dma1250]

Purdys is lovely and really not that far from the needed amenities. For village life and things like sushi you'll have to drive about 10 minutes to Katonah or 15 minutes to Mt. Kisco. Between those 2 towns and within a 20 minute drive of Purdys you'll be able to find enough stores and restaurants to keep most people happy (speaking as an ex-city person myself). If you want to be in more of a developed village, or if you want to lessen the commute, I agree you can look at Katonah or Mt Kisco. Houses outside of Katonah village can be pricey, but in the village itself there are plenty of more affordable homes. I suggest excploring the enire area.

[jdhall1]

A lot of people go up to Danbury/Brookfield for their shopping from Purdy's.