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I'll be able to shed more light on this topic once we actually move in later this month, but so far everyone we've come across in Chappaqua has been welcoming and friendly. Our sellers are a very nice family with elementary-aged kids (staying in Chap just moving to a bigger house), everyone at the school and school district office, town hall, etc. has been nice, and our new neighbors went out of their way to meet and chat with us when we were at the house the other day.
I do agree with Havoc that people tend to be more private in the residential areas. Not as many people milling around and visiting each other as in a "village" environment where the homes are close together and everyone hangs out on each other's porches. I actually prefer to have a bit more space and not have people stopping by constantly or knowing my business 24/7, so I'm fine with this. I do know that one of our neighbors has an annual holiday party for the block and there is a contingent of dog owners who get together regularly and walk their dogs. Most social interaction seems to occur around school and community events, at the pool clubs, etc. which I would say is not unlike other areas and towns that don't have many residential streets clustered around a village core (Briarcliff, Armonk, etc.).
If you really like being closely intertwined with your neighbors I would definitely recommend Pleasantville.
Cali describes it pretty accurately. As a dog walker, I'm on a "nod and smile" basis with the fellow dog walkers in the neighborhood. Some streets are a bit more social than others, especially if there is one neighbor who takes it upon themself to host activities. There are "community activities" -- such as a recent parade for the 100 Anniversary of the fire department, an annual Halloween parade/gathering for the kids, a summer music series at the fields. So there are opportunities to come together with other people. But, people will tend to get together with people they already know at these gatherings.
Not saying this is a bad thing or good thing. Largely, it may just be because it's a rather large town by Chappaqua standards. Cali mentioned Pleasantville -- where all the kids go to the same elementary school, same middle school. Yet, Chappaqua has 3 different elementary schools and 2 middle schools. In Pleasantville, people walk to school, and you can walk downtown to the movie theater, bars, restaurants, ice cream parlor, farmer's market. So there is more opportunity for everyone to cross paths with everyone else. On the other hand, to give you an idea, my sister-in-law and her family live in Chappaqua as well as us. But they live on the far other side of town. It's over a 10 minute drive just to get to them, their kids go to a different elementary school Outside of planned get-togethers, I've only "bumped" into them around town... maybe once in the last 8 years, and that was at a supermarket outside of Chappaqua.
thanks all for your responses. well, my wife is sort of this "snow white" type, where she just floats along with this very pretty face and friendly smile and very pleasant voice (classically trained vocalist, now just a hobby) and is always nice to people, so she should probably be able to make friends.
Is Dobbs Ferry on anyone's short list? Just wondering what everyone thinks of it as a community and also the schools. The train can be as short at 35 minutes. DH is hoping to get a much shorter train ride. Thanks for any input.
hi - are you still interested in purchasing a home in Croton on Hudson? Please let me know .. I live in Croton and my husband and I may be entertaining the idea of selling our home, which would be perfect for your needs -- we live in a very special area and the school district is great. I think this would be a nice fit for you. (we are thinking of retiring and moving out of NY). Let me know. many thanks. LL
If you are still interested in Croton on Hudson, I might be able to assist. My husband and I live in Croton in a very desirable area and are actually thinking about moving at this time -- our home sounds like it might be a perfect fit for you .. let us know. LL
People don't move to Chappaqua to be close to village there, from what I've hear, because you have less land. A plus for me but not for most. When people go to northern Westchester, they put a premium on land, not convenience.
Any physical problems with Chappaqua homes closer to/within the town? Are these houses more dilapedated? Rodents? More accident-prone (ie, from motor vehicles)? Etc.
Rodents in Chappaqua?! If you aren't counting the Clintons...no.
Downtown Chap is not like the Bronx or anything...it's basically being on less than half an acre, compared to an acre plus. You WILL not have cars crashing through your front window, and I really don't think that there is a bad part there.
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