Elmsford

Elmsford is a small village in mid-Westchester, conveniently located near White Plains. It occupies just over a square mile of land, with just over 4,000 residents. Part of the town of Greenburgh, the village was incorporated in 1910, after thirty-four residents met and drew up a proposition to start the process. Although women did not yet have the right to vote, three of them participated in the drafting process and signed the document.

Interstate 287, also known as the Cross Westchester Expressway, cuts directly through the village. This makes for a convenient car commute, but also brings traffic and noise pollution through the area on a daily basis. As a result the area has a very industrial vibe. There are some stores and restaurants, but unlike many of the surrounding towns, there is no walkable downtown area. Elmsford is not served by its own Metro-North station, but White Plains and North White Plains are both nearby and have trains running frequently to and from the city.

Elmsford is diverse, with a mix of white, black, Hispanic and Asian residents. This diversity is reflected in the school district, which is very small. There are fewer than a thousand students. The schools generally perform adequately, though scores on state exams generally fall below the state median. One of the elementary schools, Alice E. Grady, has been named by the state as a school in need of improvement. However, this designation leads to additional support for the school and its students, with everyone working towards the goal of raising achievement.

One of Westchester’s more affordable areas, Elmsford has a wide selection of moderately priced homes. The median price in the village is up slightly, but there are still many options. Most of these houses are split levels and capes, built within the last fifty years or so, as well as some condominiums. There are some well-maintained older homes and a few higher-priced homes.

While Elmsford---part of the city of Greenburgh---is considered a “village”, it fees like a city. It’s somewhat congested, with lots of traffic, which makes sense---considering it’s linked to 9A, Rt. 100 and busier roads like Interstate 287 and Saw Mill River Parkway. In the heart of town, you’ll find a cluster of stores and business operations, as well as many executive parks. People come here from all over to work and live and shop. While there is no train station, you’re about ten minutes away from White Plains and Tarrytown, which is along the Metro-North railway.

A long time ago, the railway once ran through Elmsford---but that has now split into two bike paths for pedestrians to enjoy: the North County and South County Trailways, and both end at Elmsford. Housing here is fair as far as the rest of New York goes, as it’s less than the general state average, hovering around $578,271. There’s lots of condos here as well, and you can rent around $1,744 a month.

There’s lots of fun things to do in Elmsford as a family: you can visit the Elmsford Raceway (a lot closer than the Yonkers one for some folk), go ice skating or catch an ice hockey game at the large, indoor Westchester Skating Academy, or ride the bumper cars ($5 per ride) or play laser tag ($8 per game) at Sportstime USA.

Restaurants around here are mainly Italian (like Dom’s Pizza and Pasta, Alaroma or Casaletto. If you’re looking for more variety, you will find fine traditional Indian food at Malabar Hill. You can also try falafels and chicken kabob at the Middle Eastern restaurant, Shiraz. (Kids will be happy to know there’s a Burger King as well.) After dinner, take your family to see the latest groundbreaking film at the Greenburgh Cinema Multiplex, located at 320 Saw Mill River Road.

Shopping options include Staples, Sam’s Club, Bhavik (a unique Indian and Asian grocery store), the unique couples’ store called Romantic Depot. There’s also an animal shelter, Marinelli’s Village Pharmacy (as well as your local CVS), and great hotels like a regular Marriott (excellent for business conferences) and a courtyard Marriott. You’re near medical clinics like the Medical Center at 132 Central Ave or Lexington Center at 33 West Main Street, and you’re right near a walk-in emergency clinic called Westchester Urgent Care, located at 155 White Plains Road, Suite 101 (the location is Tarrytown). They’re open 7 days a week and will help you with any immediate medical needs.

The Elmsford School District is highly rated with mostly 4 or 5 stars by people who go there, and most students are expected to graduate and go on to higher learning. Elmsford has excellent transportation like buses and taxis. You can take the train in nearby White Plains if you wish to go to the city. For outdoor activities and nature lovers, stroll, bike or rollerblade on the Trailways, or visit the famous Rockefeller Park---very close by, right off Rt.117 and Sleepy Hollow Road. For a fun night out, visit Nat's Pub, Club Lane Inc., or the Lounge at the local Howard Johnson's for great drinks with friends.

Elmsford is a very diverse part of Westchester, with an almost equal population of White and Hispanic, some African American, as well as Asian. While the crime rate has gone down between 2009 and 2010, it’s still rather high for Westchester, and in relation to the rest of NY. You’ll want to have a car to get around, and keep an eye on your kids (definitely don’t let them go out after dark---even teens).

If it’s a diversely cultural and city atmosphere you are looking for, with less prices than say White Plains or NYC, then Elmsford is the place for you.

Elmsford is a small neighborhood in the town of Greenburgh. However, when you visit Elmsford you are likely left with a large impression because it has more to offer than the tree-lined residences typical of much of the area. There are broader streets and large stores making it look like a different landscape altogether!
The Greenburgh library is here and this recently constructed glass-front building is striking. It’s spacious, open and bright – just the way a library should be! Further down Route 119 there are other popular retail establishments such as Syms and Bed, Bath & Beyond. One of the few Indian grocery stores in Westchester County is also in Elmsford. This whole stretch of commercial establishments gives Elmsford a different feel, but it is essentially a residential suburb with good homes and a good public school system. It is well-placed in terms of highways with easy access to 287, Sprain Brook Parkway and Route 9A.
There is mixture of housing from apartments to nice sized homes on large lots. Rental is more an option here than in some of the other communities of Westchester County. Elmsford is also seen as slightly more affordable housing.
There are many interesting dining options in Elmsford for the foodies who like variety. Malabar Hill, Casaletto, Pete’s Saloon and Rini’s are among the well-reviewed restaurants in the Elmsford area.
Westchester Broadway Dinner Theater can be a great experience for adults and kids. It makes a nice change from other kinds of activities and a nice alternative to times when you cannot make it to one of those Broadway shows in the city.

Elmsford is not the most visually arresting area of Westchester County, but apartments and homes are definitely more affordable than some of its more affluent suburban neighbors. Elmsford is heavy on industry with truck rental venues, glass manufacturers and large-scale discount warehouses like Sams, Lumber Liquidators and Home Depot located there. It is also a main crossroads for several converging highways and byways including the Saw Mill River Parkways, Interstate 287 and Route 9A. The small size of the village coupled with these bustling thoroughfares and large industrial clients can make for some heavy traffic during the day.

There are a slew of well-known fast food chains in the area including Taco Bell/KFC, Subway, Wendy’s, Dunkin Donuts and Carvel. There are also several decent diners, a good pizzeria, a more mid-scale Italian restaurant, a popular Hibachi restaurant, a thriving local deli and a pretty fine bakery.

Despite Elmsford’s deceptively small one square mile size, there are quite a few entertaining outings for adults only and families alike. The Greenburg Multiplex is a large, comfortable movie complex showing all the big blockbuster hits. Elmsford Raceway is a great way to spend a family-friendly afternoon. The raceway has been touted “the East Coast’s premiere slot car track” by Auto Week. Right next door is Sportime USA, a large indoor entertainment center which proudly boasts something for everyone including billiard tables, air hockey, bumper cars, laser tag, batting cages, a rock climbing wall and a café laden with good American fare. The facility is a great place for birthday parties and corporate events.

For a bit of culture, one can head over to Westchester Broadway Theatre, which holds the distinct honor of being the longest running year round Equity theatre in the state of New York. This 37-year old continuously running cultural institution offers delicious three course dinners topped only by their incredible musical productions featuring Broadway stars and an impressive roster of entertainment greats including Tom Jones, Jackie Mason, George Carlin and Wayne Newton.

If you want to escape the industrial hub-bub of Elmsford, Tarrytown with its historical homes, beautiful walking trails and, of course, splendid Hudson River views are but a short ten minute drive away. Elmsford village doesn’t have its own train station, but a short drive, cab ride or bus ride will take you to either the Tarrytown or White Plains station where you can catch a 38-minute express into NYC.

Elmsford is approximately 54% white, 15% black and 12% Asian.

The school system is decent with a reported 80% graduation rate From Alexander Hamilton High School and a reported 90% of those graduates going on to attend college.

Median rent is $1,557 and the median house value is roughly $480,000. Median household income is $91,753.

Elmosford's population is approximately 5,000 people with the median age being 34.

Elmsford is a little town, only about one square mile, but it packs a lot of businesses into that small area. There is comprehensive shopping in town including a movie theater. There's also your traditional variety of fast food and chain restaurants as well as a few diners. Of course there are some local options as well.

There is no high school in Elmsford which may actually be a strength. Instead of being forced to go into one high school students and parents can choose between three of the local towns' schools: Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, or Briarcliff. All of them are very good and it enables the student to have a say in where they want to spend the next four years of their education.

Crime is low in Elmsford and property is affordable. It's in a good location in Westchester county; you can get to New York City in about 40 minutes and White Plains in about 30 minutes.

The community aspect of Elmsford is really what the village lacks. It's a very built up area and although it's convenient when you need to run errands it doesn't provide the neighborly atmosphere that many people want from their town. There are summer camps for children but that's basically the extent of community activity.