The Best Kept Secret of Westchester County: The Rivertowns

Are you thinking of moving to the New York suburbs of Westchester County? Looking to move to the Rivertowns in Westchester?

The Rivertowns of Westchester County is a collection of villages situated along the Hudson River. From stunning water views to bustling downtown areas and walkable neighborhoods, these Rivertowns have something for everyone.

In this guide, we will go over the basics of which towns are part of Westchester County’s Rivertowns, what’s so great about living in the Rivertowns, and a town-by town profile of each Rivertown.

What are the Rivertowns in Westchester County, NY?

The Rivertowns in Westchester County is a group of towns located along the Hudson River, including Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Ardsley. These towns enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson River and have walkable communities with vibrant downtown areas.

Home prices in the Rivertowns are more affordable than in other Westchester County towns, with a median sale price of around $750,000.

Residents of the Rivertowns can walk to their downtown areas, which have great restaurant scenes, and enjoy scenic river views from the many parks along the Hudson River.

The schools in the Rivertowns are highly rated, making it a desirable place to live for families.

List of the Rivertowns in Westchester County

The Rivertowns typically include Westchester County towns situated along the Hudson River such as Tarrytown, Dobbs Ferry, Sleepy Hollow, and Irvington. However, there are some adjacent inland towns such as Ardsley that are often referred to as part of the Rivertowns. (It really depends on who you ask!)

Briarcliff Manor
Cortlandt
Croton-on-Hudson
Dobbs Ferry
Hastings-on-Hudson
Irvington
Ossining
Peekskill
Sleepy Hollow
Tarrytown
Ardsley (some include Ardsley on the list)

Why Move to the Rivertowns?

Affordable

Home prices in the Rivertowns are more affordable than in other Westchester County towns. The median sale price of homes is a lot lower in the Rivertowns when compared to Westchester towns like Larchmont, Rye and Bronxville.

Rivertown homes have a median sale price of around $750,000 which is on the affordable end of lower Westchester County towns.

For example, the median sale price at Dobbs Ferry is $771,000 while the median sale price at Larchmont is $1,156,000.

Walkable Downtown

If you’re used to city living and want a walkable town, the Rivertowns can be an excellent option. Many Rivertown residents can walk to their downtown.

Rivertowns have vibrant downtowns known for their excellent restaurant scenes. Plus homes in the Rivertowns are more compact and closer together making them more walkable.

Riverview

The Rivertowns are nestled along the Hudson River, offering breathtaking water views. If your budget can afford it, buy a home with river views- you will wake up to the stunning Hudson River! Rivertown residents can also enjoy scenic river views from the many local parks along the Hudson River.

Low Key and Friendly Community

Rivertown residents are down-to-earth and low-key. According to Irvington resident, Jackie Ourman it was easy for her to make friends when she moved to Irvington.

“There was a happy hour organized for all of the women on our street the day we closed. I was introduced to everyone in the neighborhood that night. It was a warm welcome! It’s easy to make friends in Irvington. Irvington is a very low key community, I found it very easy to make friends when I moved here.”
Jackie Ourman, Irvington Resident

Check out our interview with a Rivertown mom, Jackie Ourman

Good Schools

Rivertown residents enjoy good schools. The Rivertowns offer schools that are consistently ranked among the best in Westchester County.

Aside from solid academics, the Rivertown schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities making it attractive for families seeking high-quality education.

Easy Commute to Manhattan

Rivertown residents enjoy an easy commute to Manhattan. Most of the Rivertowns have their own Metro North train station so it’s convenient for the residents. The commute to NYC from the Rivertowns is around 48 minutes.

Westchester County Rivertowns

Ardsley, NY

Although not directly located on the Hudson River, Ardsley is a town that is often included as a Rivertown due to its proximity to the water. Ardsley is known for its excellent schools and easy access to NYC.

Ardsley residents are affluent with a mean income of $247,275. Compared to neighboring Scarsdale, Ardsley is very affordable with a median sale price of $753,000.

Ardsley residents typically take the train from Dobbs Ferry or Scarsdale stations. The Metro North train ride from Dobbs Ferry to NYC is 38 minutes and from Scarsdale to NYC is 33 minutes.

It costs over $11,000 a month for a family of four to live in Ardsley, NY. Check out our Ardsley Cost of Living Calculator to find out how much it costs for you to live in Ardsley!

Mean Income	$247,275
Median Sale Price of Homes	$753,000
Train Ride to NYC	40 minutes

Ardsley, NY Profile

Briarcliff Manor, NY

Briarcliff Manor is a Rivertown known for its rich history. Notable families such as the Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts have residences in the area.

Briarcliff Manor residents are well-to-do with a mean income of $274,155 and a median sale price of $881,000.

Briarcliff Manor residents typically take the train from the Scarborough station. The Metro North train ride from Briarcliff Manor to NYC is 45 minutes.

Mean Income	$274,155
Median Sale Price of Homes	$881,000
Train Ride to NYC	45 minutes

Briarcliff Manor, NY Profile

Cortlandt, NY

Cortlandt is a town in Westchester County that offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Home to many parks, perfect for those looking for outdoor recreation.

Cortlandt has a mean income of $160,243 which is lower than Westchester County’s mean income. It’s an affordable town to live in with a median sale price of $541,000.

Cortlandt residents typically take the train from the Cortlandt station. The Metro North train ride from Cortlandt to NYC is 59 minutes.

Mean Income	$160,243
Median Sale Price of Homes	$541,000
Train Ride to NYC	59 minutes

Cortlandt, NY Profile

Dobbs Ferry, NY

Dobbs Ferry is a Rivertown with a charming downtown. It has a walkable village with beautiful river views and parks.

Dobbs Ferry has a mean income of $143,462 and a median sale price of $771,000.

Dobbs Ferry residents typically take the train from Dobbs Ferry station. The Metro North train ride from Dobbs Ferry to NYC is 38 minutes.

It costs over $12,000 a month for a family of four to live in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Check out our Dobbs Ferry Cost of Living Calculator to find out how much it costs for you to live in Dobbs Ferry!

Mean Income	$143,462
Median Sale Price of Homes	$771,000
Train Ride to NYC	38 minutes

Dobbs Ferry, NY Profile

Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

Hastings-on-Hudson is a small Rivertown with a walkable downtown. If you’re looking for a small-town feel and easy access to NYC, this is a great place to live in!

Hastings-on-Hudson has a mean income of $244,339 and a median sale price of $885,000.

Hastings-on-Hudson residents typically take the train from Hastings-on-Hudson station. The Metro North train ride from Hastings-on-Hudson to NYC is 36 minutes.

Mean Income	$244,339
Median Sale Price of Homes	$885,000
Train Ride to NYC	36 minutes

Hastings-on-Hudson, NY Profile

Irvington, NY

Irvington is a Rivertown with a vibrant downtown and beautiful parks with stunning Hudson River views.

Irvington has a mean income of $270,823 and a median sale price of $745,000.

Irvington residents typically take the train from the Irvington station. The Metro North train ride from Irvington to NYC is 43 minutes.

Mean Income	$270,823
Median Sale Price of Homes	$745,000
Train Ride to NYC	43 minutes

Irvington, NY Profile

Ossining, NY

Ossining is a Rivertown with a walkable downtown and beautiful parks. It’s also more affordable attracting first-time homebuyers.

Ossining has a mean income of $119,904 and a median sale price of $459,000.

Ossining residents typically take the train from the Ossining station. The Metro North train ride from Ossining to NYC is 47 minutes.

Mean Income	$119,904
Median Sale Price of Homes	$459,000
Train Ride to NYC	47 minutes

Ossining, NY Profile

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Sleepy Hollow is a Westchester County village with a small-town feel. Known for its rich history, particularly the legend of the Headless Horseman made famous by Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The village is home to various landmarks, including Philipsburg Manor.

Sleepy Hollow has a mean income of $139,304 and a median sale price of $1,090,000.

Sleepy Hollow residents typically take the train from Philipse Manor station. The Metro North train ride from Philipse Manor to NYC is 41 minutes.

Mean Income	$139,304
Median Sale Price of Homes	$1,090,000
Train Ride to NYC	41 minutes

Sleepy Hollow, NY Profile

Tarrytown, NY

Tarrytown is a charming village known for its rich history, scenic Hudson River views, and vibrant downtown.

Tarrytown has a mean income of $166,045 and a median sale price of $714,000.

Tarrytown residents typically take the train from Tarrytown station. The Metro North train ride from Tarrytown to NYC is 38 minutes.

Mean Income	$166,045
Median Sale Price of Homes	$714,000
Train Ride to NYC	38 minutes

Tarrytown, NY Profile

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