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My husband and I are looking to move to Westchester and we are interested in looking at homes in Peekskill. What would be the best websites to find homes for sale in that area? We are really interested in Peekskill due to it's ethnic and cultural diversity and the artistic scene going on there. We currently live in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and are looking to escape the city. Rather than pay 300-400k for a small condo in the city, we want a 3-4 bedroom house with a nice size yard for our son to play in.
You can try any major Westchester realtor's site, or any of the national ones. Everything is on the WPMLS, so any realtor will have all the listings except for FSBOs. Those you have to seek out on FSBO sites.
We moved up to northern Westchester from Park Slope Brooklyn years ago and totally love it. The area offfers a great mix of natural beauty and cultural amenities that is hard to find anywhere else within commuting distance of th city. It offers a lot that you simply cannot get in the city--but also gives you all of the "city" things that you really need.
We go to Peekskill often for the great arts center, museum, galleries, restuarants, coffee house, parks, and arts events. Some suburbanites find it too "urban" and gritty, but if you're happy in Bed Stuy, Peekskill will feel totally tame.
Last edited by Viralmd; 01-27-2010 at 09:57 AM..
Reason: No comments on moderator acitons.
Hi dma1250! Thanks so much for your reply. We are happy in Bed-Stuy for now but we are looking for a happy medium between urban and suburban. We both value diversity and are looking for that outside of NYC. We want more space and natural beauty but we also value the culture amenities. Thanks so much for the sites. We aren't in a rush to buy; we are just exploring right now and hope to move within the next couple of years.
Watching Peekskill for over a decade, it has its ups and downs. Just be as informed about moving there as you can be. Some people love living there, and others do not. Hope you have a car.
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Friends who have lived in Peekskill over 20 years say this is “the worst we’ve seen it.” Currently, it is in a downturn for many a dweller, despite the upbeat reviews on this site. As with everything, there are two sides to every tale. Life and "feeling safe" in Peekskill really depends on where you live within the City, and what you are comfortable dealing with in your everyday life, and in what you are willing to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you have the money you talk about, look on the south end of the City within the Henry Hudson district or “Mortgage Hill”, near Hudson Ave. or DePew Park. Also check out the various gated communities, such as Chapel Hill or Riverbend. All have nice yardage on the property.
But, when truly considering Peekskill, do your homework. Peekskill is a city in which approximately 30% of the population lives in government subsidized housing and/or Section 8. Still more live in illegal, overcrowded homes. A large number of homes are currently in foreclosure in the City, and that will affect your home's value once you buy and if this downward trend continues. The rebound, if there is one, of your home's value will not be made as speedily as the rest of Westchester due to the income level of Peekskill and the desire by prospective homebuyers, to live there. Reselling should be part of your buying equation. Section 8 housing is still being added to Peekskill in the downtown area, although Peekskill purportedly has more than its share of low-income and Section housing. There is a lawsuit in Westchester contesting this. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/ny.../11settle.html
To get a better full understanding of the City and its neighborhoods, drive on Smith Street just off South St., or East on Lincoln Terrace. Also drive north of Main St into various neighborhoods. You should have a full understanding of the City. Most of those who think the city “wonderful and safe” live in certain areas where they avoid certain "unpleasantries" (them, not me). Some call this the “It all sounds great, as long as it’s not near MY house” syndrome.
The "arts" scene”, you should investigate personally, if that’s a reason for looking in Peekskill. If you're thinking SoHo, don't. If you're thinking DUMBO, don't. The River Cities climbed onto the arts bandwagon in order to attract NYC and Boroughs' residents during the heyday of home values years ago. Peekskill still has government subsidies for its artists’ work-lofts which brought some of the artists upriver. This is not to say that these artists are not important, but if you’re looking for SoHo and hipsters, don’t. DON'T.
There is less than a handful of major store chains in Peekskill, and none of the department variety, so many shop in Cortlandt, Yorktown and Croton-on-Hudson. There are many dollar stores in Peekskill. There is little interest currently in acquiring any big tax revenue ventures, such as Target or Loew’s or Trader Joe’s or Organic Foods. There is much intention to keep the Mom and Pop businesses already in Peekskill, despite the needs of a growing and diverse group of homeowners. Reminder: NYC people are not really embraced here.
Peekskill has a large population of immigrants, primarily Ecuadoran. Day laborers primarily hang out on South Street on weekdays (check it out). Flop houses and overcrowded houses are made of any house on any block despite local “single family” coding. Reminder: these kinds of housing are illegal and against Peekskill City code. However, should one present itself once you have purchased your home, there is little to be done except file grievances. Peekskill has a minute (and overworked) police force, and an even smaller Code Enforcement force. If you look in a “single-family” designated neighborhood”, be aware of the following on any home:
Multiple satellite dishes
Multiple mailboxes
Basement apartments
Attic apartments
Multiple cars in a driveway, or paved over yard areas to allow for multiple parking
Entirely paved back yards or front yards
Cars parked out front with out-of-state plates for months
Prior to moving to Peekskill, you should read the local papers.
Mod cut: NO links to blogs.
Also, check out the NYTimes report on schools from 11/09 Peekskill School District - New York State Test Scores - The New York Times
Many city dwellers send their children to private (re: parochial) schools in the area. There are no Montessori over 2nd Grade in the area. The private schools are already overcrowded.
If you are from Bed-Stuy, then you understand the importance of neighborhood watch. As for crime in Peekskill, any house or apartment building or condo, in any neighborhood can be converted into a drug house, especially abandoned homes. The police dept. depends on residents to keep them informed. There was a sting in 11/09 by the FBI in Westchester Co.---43 people were indicted. 23 are from Peekskill. Federal Bureau of Investigation - The New York Division: Department of Justice Press Release
Drug dealers can be seen any day or evening, especially in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. Prostitutes too. There are also violent crimes, two stabbings last Saturday night, Peekskill man, 29, stabbed in heart in dispute, cops say | LoHud.com | The Journal News
Public urination is not uncommon. As with any major city, lock your car and home at night. Keep nothing of value in your car.
There is a CLEAN initiative in the City to keep litter off the streets.
Be aware, when driving, of pedestrians who walk across any street, regardless of traffic signals or crosswalks.
There are about two blocks of retail stores within the downtown area, which other writers have mentioned. Two coffee houses in one block. Most downtown bodegas are closed by 11:00 pm should you need something. There are a plethora of dollar stores in the downtown. Several diners. To date, there are no bars downtown that are open later than a performance at the Paramount Theatre. A new bar, the Birdsall House, is to open early in 2010 on Main St.
The parks on the waterfront and DePew parks are all pluses. The city has a new Middle School building. Peekskill has the lowest property tax in Westchester although the school taxes increase yearly. The library is also a plus. DPW services are good and dependable. When alerted, the police respond quickly.
As with a smaller city, it is reassuring that you can speak directly with any manager of any department about an issue.
As a Bed-Stuy res., you deal with the gritty and realistic views each and every day. Just thought you might want to hear the realities. Happy hunting. Really, it’s about what you like and dislike and can deal with.
I agree with your basic point--Peekskill has some "urban" issues, such as pockets of poverty and drug-related crime, and it varries a lot from neighborhood to neighborhood. I think anyone who enjoys the city will like Peekskill and will not be phased by it's issues, but it does indeed depend on the person and what they are used to.
The one thing in your post I find shocking is:
Quote:
Originally Posted by gabe83
[font=Arial]Friends who have lived in Peekskill over 20 years say this is “the worst we’ve seen it.”
In the 8 years I've lived in the area Peekskill has dramaticlly improved. It is far cleaner, nicer, safer, and more vibrant than it was 8 years ago. There are new parks, restaurants, museums, galleries, and coffee houses. The entire riverfront area is being revitaized, with a new brewery and lofts and two new parks. Whole blocks of victorians have been restored and brought back to life. Even in the current economic downturn, Peekskill is buzzing with buildings being restored and new busineses opening. The mayor and town board was just reelected in a landslide and are generally praised for being proactive and finding solutions to long-term problems. I find it really hard to believe that residents feel that things are worse than they were, say, five years ago.
There is a sunny side of the street effect in Peekskill. If you happen to live away from the downtown then drug dealing wouldn't concern you. Drug dealing in Peekskill is like the cousin that visits you when you have good company over. It reminds you that everything hasn't always been great. The newspapers generally write about drug dealing in Peekskill inspite of any good things that might happen. If you happen to live in the wrong neighborhood, or even block, it is much more obvious.
The schools are not great and as mentioned alot of people end up sending their kids to private and Catholic schools. The School District is good at PR but is in denial of its ranking amongst other districts in Westchester and generally it plays lip service but no real action.
Before moving to Peekskill I suggest that you walk around during the day and night. It can be an eye opener.
Is Peekskill like Mount Vernon in the respect that people will slander a whole city based on it's (admittedly real) flaws despite the fact that one can live a good, safe, happy life there provided one isn't smack in the middle of the projects?
Is Peekskill like Mount Vernon in the respect that people will slander a whole city based on it's (admittedly real) flaws despite the fact that one can live a good, safe, happy life there provided one isn't smack in the middle of the projects?
Is Peekskill like Mount Vernon in the respect that people will slander a whole city based on it's (admittedly real) flaws despite the fact that one can live a good, safe, happy life there provided one isn't smack in the middle of the projects?
Totally and completely. Peekskill certainly does have flaws (hence the low prices) but it also has a tremendous number of strengths and plusses. It has great housing stock of Victorians and early 1900's houses and it has a number of excellent parks. Lots of people who live in the area go to Peekskill regulalry for the great restaurants, art galleries, performing arts center, museum, coffee houses, and live music scene. There are plenty of people on this forum who are uncomfortable with Peekskill's urban side, but those of us who are comfortable with cities tend to like it.
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Buyer Beware
