Nestled in the picturesque Hudson Valley, Westchester County is 450 square miles and home to 45 cities, towns and villages. Ranging from bustling downtowns to suburban landscapes, there is truly something for everyone. If you’re considering a move to Westchester County, here are just a few of the reasons why you should decide to call Westchester home.
7 Reasons to Move to Westchester County
Something for Everyone
Westchester County offers a diverse mix of suburban living options ranging from single family homes on spacious lots to residential developments with numerous amenities. Whether you’re looking for a multi-family unit in walking distance of restaurants, entertainment or work, or a house near nationally-recognized public schools, Westchester has a place for you to call home.
In addition to the existing inventory of housing options, Westchester County continues to welcome new developments within walking distance of train stations, restaurants, arts & entertainment, and more in these vibrant communities. These transit-oriented options are great for individuals commuting into New York City for work as well as those who prefer the convenience of living in the heart of the action.
Close Proximity to New York City
And speaking of commuting, you can’t get much better than Westchester. Each of the cities, towns and villages within the borders of Westchester County are in close to proximity to NYC…some with a drive or train ride of less than 30 minutes. Whether you are looking for a home within walking distance of work or for direct access to I-287, I-87, I-684 and the Saw Mill River Parkway, living in Westchester means commuting to your destinations for business and pleasure with ease.
Second to None Schools
Westchester is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report and Niche.com as home to some of the top high schools in the U.S. In 2020 alone, U.S. News and World Report ranked 13 of Westchester County’s public high schools among the top 50 nationwide. In addition to a highly competitive public school system, Westchester is also home to several prestigious private schools serving grades K-12.
Westchester’s exemplary educational offerings span beyond high school and include 28 higher education institutions that are actively building the local talent pipeline.
The strength of Westchester schools and success of its scholars can be attributed to the inspiring educators and supportive community who rally behind them from the early days of preschool through post-secondary education. Speaking of preschool, Westchester has countless options throughout the County to set your little scholar off on the right foot, too. Public, private, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, STEAM –we have them all.
Room to Run, Play and Relax
Westchester offers an expansive list of outdoor amenities for residents to enjoy, such as trails for hiking and biking, lakes for kayaking, parks for kids and dogs to play and vibrant, walkable downtowns to explore. With more than 18,000 acres of parkland to experience, there is always an opportunity to explore a new outdoor space and make your own adventure.
Beyond trails for walking and hiking and spacious parks, Westchester is also home to 10 communities with a Walk Score over 50. Living in these vibrant communities puts residents only steps away from coveted dining and entertainment experiences for all ages.
Access to Arts
From outdoor sculptures and murals to conservatories and performing arts centers, Westchester has a diverse mix of arts and culture assets.
Westchester is home to a dozen museums and art galleries, and nearly two dozen (23) performing arts venues. The vibrant, diverse arts and culture landscape enhances quality of life for residents and also strengthens the local economy. Arts and culture are key economic drivers in Westchester County, generating $172.3 million in total economic activity and creating more than 5,000 jobs.
We’re in Business
Over 170 companies are headquartered in Westchester, employing more than 400,000 people. You’ve probably heard of a few of them, like IBM, Pepsi, Mastercard, Heineken USA, Regeneron and Danone North America. Westchester County is also home to nearly 34,000 firms. Together, Westchester businesses generate more than $1 billion in annual payroll.
In addition to its attractive location just north of New York City, Westchester County is rich with talent. The high percentage of alumni from prestigious universities and institutions make Westchester County one of the best educated workforces in the country.
Supporting Our Neighbors
In addition to our businesses, Westchester also has a deep nonprofit community. In fact, the nonprofit sector is the largest employer among all industries in the county, employing nearly 54,000 people.* Nonprofits contribute greatly to quality of life in Westchester County- supporting arts, education, health care, the environment and more. Whether you’re looking for support or services, a cause to donate to or a place to volunteer, there are numerous non-profit organizations to choose from in Weschester County.
With all the above and more, its clear why so many new residents choose to move to Westchester County each year. See for yourself at https://westchestercatalyst.com/live/.
*Source: Nonprofit Westchester
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