I have lived in the Hen Hud area most of my life (and a graduate of the school). On a whole, I think it is a great area. There is a small portion of Peekskill that resides in the Hen Hud district and since it sits on the border of the Town of Cortlandt, there isn't too much difference between that area and the neighboring towns of Montrose and Buchanan. While Peekskill, in the past, has rightfully not had the best reputation, it really has made a huge transformation in the last 10 years. There has been a lot of reviltalization to the area including lots of new condos, townhouse and single family home developments. There are lots of plans to build up the city in a commercial sense such as plans (not approved yet) to bring Target and other like retailers. In addition there are plans to rebuild the riverfront. I think Westchester Magazine mentioned that Peekskill was one of the towns in Westchester that will have a lot growth in the value of real estate over the next 7 years.
The area you are looking has two train stations- Peekskill and Cortlandt - which are located on the Hudson Line, so that wouldn't work for your wife.
As for the high school, it's a good school, but probably does not have the same reputation it had 10 years ago. It still wouldn't stop me from sending my kids. In the area, Croton is probably regarded as the best, then you have Yorktown, Hen Hud, Lakeland, and Ossining (in no particular order).
I hope this helps a little.
|