Are you outgrowing the city? Are you tired of feeling cramped in your small Manhattan apartment? Thinking of moving to Westchester County to start a family?
You are not alone! Many young couples move out of New York City when they are ready to start a family.
In fact, we interviewed a lot of local suburbanites who moved out of NYC to Westchester County when they wanted to settle down to start a family.
Based on our interviews with locals, we’ve come up with a list of the best places to raise a family in Westchester County.
Methodology on how we came up with our list of the best towns in Westchester County for families: The list is based on our interviews with local suburbanites. The median sale price of homes listed below is based on the 12 month period ending January 2023.
10 Best Westchester Towns for Families
Below are the 10 best Westchester County towns for families based on our interviews with locals.
Armonk, NY
Armonk is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. It is located in northern Westchester County, an hour away by car to midtown Manhattan.
Armonk is a beautiful town with a charming downtown, highly-rated schools, and lots of family-friendly events and activities. The median sales price of homes in Armonk is $1,626,000.
According to Armonk resident, Nikki Levinson, she moved to Armonk because of the schools.
“Armonk schools are amazing, that is one of the main reasons why we moved to Armonk. The after-school sports programs are also great.” She also loves Armonk for the family-friendly community, “Armonk is a very warm community with an amazing school system, great people, and a very family-oriented town.
Check out our interview with Armonk mom: Nikki Levinson’s Move to Armonk NY
How much does it cost to live in Armonk, NY? According to our Armonk Cost of Living Calculator is cost over $13,000 a month for a family of four to live in Armonk. Check out: How Much Does it Cost to Live in Armonk, NY? ($13,000+ a month!)
Learn more about Living in Armonk, NY
Bronxville, NY
Bronxville is a good Westchester County town to move to for families looking to be close to New York City. Bronxville is an easy 30 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan.
Many families move to Bronxville because of the highly rated schools and charming, walkable town (many residents live within walking distance of the train station).
The median sales price of homes in Bronxville is $1,316,000. Like other Westchester County towns, it’s not cheap to live in Bronxville. According to our Bronxville Cost of Living calculator, it cost over $17,000 a month for a family of four to live in Bronxville.
According to Bronxville resident, Maura Fitzgerald, she loves living in Bronxville because of the community.
“One of the reasons I love Bronxville so much is because of the people. Generally speaking, people are active and completely family-focused. It’s all about the kids and giving them the best education and experience we can. An example of that can be seen in how many Bronxville High School alumni have returned to raise their families here. There are a ton of us!”
Check out our interview with Bronxville residents: Maura Fitzgerald’s Life in Bronxville, NY
Learn more about Living in Bronxville, NY
Chappaqua, NY
Chappaqua is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. It is a Northern Westchester County town with highly rated schools and a close-knit community.
Chappaqua is a 1 hour train ride to midtown Manhattan.
The median sales price in Chappaqua is $1,217,000. According to our Chappaqua Cost of Living Calculator, it cost over $13,000 a month for a family of four to live in Chappaqua.
According to Chappaqua resident, Sarah Shapiro, she moved to Chappaqua because she loves the country feel and the home prices in Chappaqua are more affordable when compared to homes in Southern Westchester towns.
“We were drawn to the country feel in Chappaqua. Plus our budget stretched further in Northern Westchester vs. Southern Westchester. We fell in love in love with Chappaqua and decided to move to Chappaqua.
And according to Chappaqua mom, Katy Winter, she loves living in Chappaqua because of the tight-knit community.
“Chappaqua residents are very warm and approachable. You can always check out the Chappaqua Moms Facebook Group. It’s a lively community and everyone is quick to give advice or help a neighbor. We had an electrical fire in our attic last Spring. We had an outpouring of friends and neighbors offering us a place to stay. I felt so lucky to live in Chappaqua!”
Check out our interview with Chappaqua residents: Sarah Shapiro’s Move to Chappaqua, NY and Katy Winter: What it’s like to live in Chappaqua, NY
Learn more about Living in Chappaqua, NY
Irvington, NY
Irvington is one of the best Westchester County towns for families. Located along the Hudson River, Irvington is a popular Rivertown because of its highly rated schools, family-friendly activities, and small community feel.
Irvington is a 50 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan. The median sales price of homes in Irvington is $409,000.
According to Irvington resident, Jackie Ourman, she loves the tight-knit community in Irvington.
“ When the kids were young it was always nice to know other families were there looking out for them, especially when I was in school or working part-time and I wasn’t around. Other parents would text me and let me know they saw the boys at the playground or out and about, they met their new sitter, and that they were happy and in good hands.”
Check out our interview with Irvington resident: Jackie Ourman’s Life in Irvington, NY
Learn more about Living in Irvington, NY
Larchmont, NY
Larchmont is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. It’s a southern Westchester County town with highly rated schools, a charming downtown, waterfront homes, beaches, and an easy 40-minute train ride to midtown Manhattan.
The median sales price of homes in Larchmont is $1,156,000. According to our Larchmont Cost of Living Calculator, it costs over $14,000 a month for a family of four to live in Larchmont.
Here is why Jen Aloisi Ham loved living in Larchmont.
“I love Larchmont for the charm, the history, the town, the people, the Manor, and the proximity to the water. To me, Larchmont is the closest town to Gilmore Girls you can find! Most mornings we would take family walks to the french bakery, pick up some croissants, and stroll to the water and take in the beautiful view and fresh air.”
Check out our interview: Why Jen Aloisi Ham loves living in Mamaroneck and Larchmont
Learn more about Living in Larchmont, NY
Mount Vernon, NY
Mount Vernon is a great Westchester town to move to for families who commute to NYC. Mount Vernon is an easy 35 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan.
It’s also one of the more affordable towns in Westchester with a median sale price of $362,000.
According to Mount Vernon resident, Nicole Roque, Mount Vernon is a popular town for young families looking to move out of the city.
She said, “I was welcomed warmly and it didn’t take long before I called Mount Vernon “home.” We are lucky to have great neighbors. The neighborhood is also attracting a few young families who are tired of living in New York City and want to raise their families in the suburbs.
Check out our interview with Mount Vernon resident: Nicole Roque’s Move to Mount Vernon, NY
Learn more about Living in Mount Vernon, NY
Pleasantville, NY
Pleasantville is a great town in Westchester County to raise a family. It’s a charming small town with excellent schools and lots of family-friendly activities.
Pleasantville is a 1 hour train ride to midtown Manhattan. The median sales price of homes in Pleasantville is $806,000.
In fact, according to Pleasantville resident, Maya Sheinberg, she moved to Pleasantville because of the amazing school district.
“The Byram Hills School District is an excellent school district in Westchester. My girls are so lucky to have all the extra opportunities that are available to them. We live in a lovely area with supportive neighbors, which is always helpful, especially when the kids were young. I also love this location for its convenience to the nearby towns and highways.”
Check out our interview with Pleasantville resident: Life in Pleasantville, NY: Maya Sheinberg of Beneboon
Learn more about Living in Pleasantville, NY
Rye Brook, NY
Rye Brook is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. It’s a great place in Westchester County to live with children because of the highly rated-schools, close proximity to Rye Beach, beautiful Crawford Park, and a strong sense of community.
Rye Brook is a 55 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan (from the Port Chester station). The median sales price of homes in Rye Brook is $964,000.
In fact, Rye Brook resident, Marla Beth Enowitz, moved to Rye Brook to raise a family.
She said, “I live in Rye Brook BECAUSE I have kids. Rye Brook is just a safe, friendly place. With all the craziness in the world right now, it gives me extra piece of mind when they are out riding bikes or taking a walk by themselves.”
She also raves about the tight-knit community in Rye Brook, “Without fail, if you call Rye Brook home, you will know someone that someone else knows. We often play the “name game” or “6 degrees of separation.” Everyone is familiar in some way. I continually meet new people in Rye Brook, but no one ever feels like a “stranger” to me. There is an unspoken bond here and a shared love for community, education, and friendship.”
Check out our interview with Rye Brook residents: Marla Beth Enowitz: Art and Life In Rye Brook NY
Learn More About Living in Rye Brook, NY
Rye, NY
Rye is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. Families move to Rye for its highly-rated schools, waterfront homes, town beach and charming downtown. Plus Rye is an easy 50 minute commute by train to midtown Manhattan.
The median home price in Rye is $1,751,000. According to our Rye Cost of Living Calculator, it costs over $16,000 a month for a family of four to live in Rye, NY.
According to Rye resident, Zineb, she loves living in Rye because of the close proximity to beaches, shops, and restaurants.
“I really love being so close to the water! Being a few minutes walk to the sound and a few minutes drive to the beach is such a blessing! I also love pretty Purchase Street with its shops and restaurants and all the beautiful parks in the area!”
Check out our interview with Rye resident: Stylish Westchester’s Move from New York City to Rye, NY
Learn More About Living in Rye, NY
Scarsdale, NY
Scarsdale is one of the best towns in Westchester County for families. Known for exceptional schools, Scarsdale schools consistently rank among the best schools in Westchester County.
Scarsdale also has a charming downtown and is an easy 35 minute train ride to midtown Manhattan.
The median home price in Scarsdale is $1,329,000. It costs over $14,000 a month for a family of four to live in Scarsdale (based on our Scarsdale Cost of Living Calculator).
According to Scarsdale resident, Jamie Robinson, she moved to Scarsdale for the schools and the short commute to NYC.
“We looked at houses in Westchester County. We looked at New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and even up into Connecticut, but ultimately decided to move here for the commute, schools, and the house we found.”
Check out our interview with Scarsdale resident: Mom-to-Be Jamie Robinson’s Move to Scarsdale, NY
Learn More About Living in Scarsdale, NY