Dobbs Ferry

Dobbs Ferry is a bustling village of approximately 11,000 residents located within the Town of Greenburgh. Its location on the Hudson shore and turn-of-the-century buildings and homes give the village a quaint, picturesque demeanor and make it a sought-after place to live. The village’s name honors the Dobbs family, early settlers who ran a ferry service on the river until 1759.

Dobbs Ferry has a great downtown area with many shopping options. There are small boutiques and shops and a great selection of restaurants. It also has the distinction of being home to the main campus of Mercy College, which offers over 90 graduate and undergraduate degree programs. The shopping area is popular with locals and residents, resulting in a not-insignificant amount of traffic. The river, while adding a great deal scenically, also plays a role in the traffic problem because its presence limits the routes in and out of the village. Commuters to the city fare better; the Dobbs Ferry Metro North station takes less than forty minutes.

There are many recreation options. The village recreation department maintains several parks and oversees programs; the programs for seniors are especially plentiful. The largest is Juhring Park, a 76-acre preserve with trails for walking, biking and birdwatching.

The schools in Dobbs Ferry get excellent results. They enroll approximately 1,500 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade in three schools: Springhurst Elementary, Dobbs Ferry Middle School and Dobbs Ferry High School. Results on state assessments are generally strong in all grades and subject areas. The district was the first in the county to offer the International Baccalaureate diploma, which is an academically rigorous program for eleventh and twelfth graders. Students who participate are able to earn college credit. Most graduating seniors continue their education at two-year or four-year colleges.

Dobbs Ferry has ridden out the housing downturn well; the median price is currently up. A large number of affordable cooperatives and condominiums make it possible for home buyers with smaller budgets to live in the village. The most inventory is above the half-million dollar range, but there are a small number of less expensive single family homes.

The library and the train station buildings in Dobbs Ferry are eye-catching – they seem like nice symbols for this small village in that they are frozen-in-time and yet so functional in today’s world. Dobbs Ferry has managed to retain a lot of old-world charm while being a very active modern-day community.
It is expensive, although that is a given in much of Westchester County. Dobbs Ferry offers gorgeous views of the Hudson River and an almost-idyllic looking business center in addition to the great homes and excellent schools that people expect when choosing suburban homes. The houses range from 3,500 sq ft condos with water views to two-family homes, small Capes on .10 acre to expansive estates. The homes closer to business district, at the heart of Dobbs Ferry, tend to be on smaller lots and as you move farther away, you’ll find the bigger homes.
Dobbs Ferry’s schools, like the rest of Greenburgh, come with an excellent reputation. Given that Dobbs Ferry is part of the larger town of Greenburgh, it also gets the benefit of the recreation facilities catering to the whole town.
There are many charming boutiques and cute shops in the two roads that make up the commercial part of Dobbs Ferry. The village folks are very conscious of wanting to retain this feeling of charm and are wary of further commercial expansion. Route 9 and Ashford Avenue are the main links to neighboring towns and there is a feeling that these roads cannot take much by way of additional traffic also. Given the residents’ commitment to preserving the village’s current ambience and cozy lifestyle, Dobbs Ferry is likely to continue as a village that retains its frozen-in-time quality.

Located next to the Hudson River, Dobbs Ferry is a quaint, quiet town with lovely homes, a great schools district, and a small business district that has all the staples. The neighbors here are great; this is the type of place where you stop to talk to your neighbors and let your kids play outside. It's safe and quiet. There are a lot of diverse housing options here; there are two-family homes, split-level homes, condos, and huge estates. While there is the business district, it doesn't have much diversity. There are some art galleries, upscale boutiques, some restaurants, and a number of cafes. This is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Westchester. There are plenty of very expensive homes that run well into the millions. There aren't too many rentals in Dobbs Ferry; most of the rental apartments are leased to friends or acquaintances. There are a lot of very nicely maintained parks in Dobbs Ferry. Nearly all of the parks have children's playgrounds and playing fields. Waterfront Park has picnic areas and Gould Park has a public swimming pool. Dobbs Ferry is very well known for its excellent school district. The high school offers courses through which students can earn college credit.