Katy Winter: What it's like to live in Chappaqua, NY

Katy Winter lived in NYC with her husband and daughter but when toys started taking over their New York City apartment, they decided it was time to move to the suburbs. She moved to Chappaqua 11 years ago, has three children and runs a home organization business. Here is what’s it’s like to live in Chappaqua, NY.

Describe your Move to Chappaqua, NY

My husband and I had our first child while living in NYC. When my daughter turned one and toys began invading our living space I began to get the itch to move to the suburbs. I grew up in Miami and my husband grew in Long Island. We wanted to settle somewhere new.

A friend recommended Chappaqua. We started house hunting and toured Chappaqua. We liked it so much that we put a bid on our house that same day!

Did you know anyone when you moved to Chappaqua? Any advice for newcomers on the best way to meet people?

We only knew one family when we first moved to Chappaqua, but I found it really easy to meet other moms at local parks and mommy and me classes. I met moms through classes at Jodi’s Gym and World Cup’s Romperee. I also met local Chappaqua moms through the town’s classes and programs.

If you are a newcomer, I recommend signing up for classes through the Chappaqua town website. When our daughter started preschool, it became easier to meet other moms. The more involved you become with your town, the easier it is to meet people.

I think it’s so important to make an effort to get yourself out there so you can make new friends (especially in the winter months when it is so easy to just stay home). We participated in as many family activities as possible and even joined a Pool club for our first couple of years.

Can you describe your social life?

We’ve lived in Chappaqua for eleven years now and have met a wonderful group of friends through our three children. Most of my friends are working moms and we do not have the luxury of sitting around chatting while our toddlers play, but we make an effort to have BBQs on Sundays or meet up on Saturday nights.

How old are your kids? What do you like to do with your kids in the Chappaqua area?

My daughter is 12 years old, my son is 10 and my baby boy is 3 years old. There are so many wonderful local activities. My kids love the arcade at Grand Prix in Mt. Kisco. My little guy loves Muscoot Farm.

We all enjoy the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market. We love to go on hikes in the summer and fish at Gedney Park.

How would you describe Chappaqua residents?

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 was touched by all the emails and offers for help. I felt so lucky to live in Chappaqua!

What are your favorite restaurants in Chappaqua or in the area?

I enjoy eating outside at Le Jardin during the summer. Farmer and the Fish in Purdy’s is one of our favorite Saturday night restaurants. We also like L’Inizio in Arsdley and Ocean House Oyster Bar and Grill in Croton on Hudson.

What are your go-to places in Chappaqua or in the area?

Pour is our favorite wine bar. Mt Kisco Diner is a go-to restaurant with our kids.

What are some things you don’t like about Chappaqua?

I wish there were more stores and restaurants in Chappaqua.

Are you a member of a country club/beach club/yacht club?

We are not currently members, but a lot of our friends belong to Birchwood Pool Club and we enjoy going as guests.

What has your experience been with Chappaqua schools?

Chappaqua has a wonderful public school district and we have been very happy with the system so far. Chappaqua has a very strong PTA and parents have a strong voice in the school system.

Do you or your spouse commute to New York City? What has your experience been with the commute from Chappaqua?

I drive into New York City 1-2x a week. My husband works from home, but takes the train from Chappaqua 1-2x a week into New York City. He parks at the Chappaqua Train Station and the train takes 55 minutes to Grand Central.

You can always find a spot at the Chappaqua Train Station. There is no waitlist to get a parking spot. As soon as you close on your home you can get a parking spot at the train.

Any advice you can give to someone looking to move to Chappaqua or Westchester?

We lived in our house for five years before we did any renovation. If you are planning to renovate your house, I would live in it for a while before you pull the plug. We made changes that I would not have planned initially and it made all the difference.

Tell me more about Katy’s Organized Home

I started Katy’s Organized Home six and ½ years ago and have been organizing for families in Westchester ever since. I help clients streamline their homes, whether they are downsizing or moving into a new home. I always try to put in place a successful system to manage the clutter.

My passion is teaching kids to organize their rooms. Parents who were frustrated and exhausted from nagging their children to clean their rooms started hiring me. I realized that the only way to create lifelong habits for our children is to engage them in the process.

Kids can learn to own and organize their space- how to make their bed properly, the quickest fold, how to preserve their treasures and how to create and use drawer dividers.

Any book recommendations for the beach or pool?

I recommend Becoming by Michele Obama & Born a Crime by Trever Noah

About Katy Winter

Katy Winter is a professional organizer and pantry stylist extraordinaire based in Chappaqua, NY. She has a degree in fashion marketing from The University of Texas. Believing in a practical and minimalistic approach, she helps clients streamline their homes and simplify their lives through successful home editing. Website: Katy’s Organized Home. Instagram: @katys_organized_home

Buy our E-Book: House Hunting Like a Pro

Looking for the perfect home in the New York suburbs can be overwhelming, but don’t worry! With Househunting like a Pro, you can avoid the costly mistake of buying the wrong house!

Written by a real estate professional and local suburbanite, this easy to read E-Book provides valuable advice on how to choose the right towns and find the perfect home.

Plus, with our House Hunting Checklist and Town by Town Tracker printables, you’ll be armed with the tools you need to navigate the home buying process like a pro. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your house hunting journey a success – download Househunting like a Pro today!