Montrose

Montrose is in the northwestern part of Westchester County, a part of the Town of Cortlandt. It offers that much-sought after combination of commute convenience and untrampled greenery that is the hallmark of the best parts of Westchester. Montrose is close to the Cortland Metro North station; some residents of Montrose choose to use Peekskill or Croton-Harmon depending on the parking considerations or for accessing the express trains. A 55 minute train ride will take you to Grand Central in Manhattan.

At the end of that commute what do you come home to? A town with two beautiful parks and plenty of greenery. A lifestyle that is a dream for anyone looking for fresh air and open spaces. And river views! Those who work in the city but would like a more country life style are drawn to Montrose because it is a tucked-away little town. Montrose is not about the cute downtown and the quaint coffee shop.

Having said that, it is important to clarify that Montrose is not far from those kinds of amenities. It is necessary to get into a car but within a 15-20 mins drive there are plenty of charming eating and shopping options and this includes everything from the functional to the fancy.

Montrose is particularly attractive to families with kids because this is a place to provide the kind of stable and secure environment that many parents want for their children. The reputation of the Henrick Hudson schools is a big draw. Montrose is served by the Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School and the children meet the kids from the other elementary schools at the middle school before moving on to the high school. Henrick Hudson appears to have a balanced emphasis on academic and extra-curricular excellence.

For a small hamlet, Montrose offers some surprising dining choices. The Indian restaurant and the Mexican-Italian cafe draw people from many neighboring communities as well as they add to the cuisine diversity of Northern Westchester.

Montrose is relatively affordable and offers a fair range in housing options. There is much to recommend it to those who are moving in to the area.

Montrose is a small hamlet in the Cortlandt. It is located west of Route 9, which is the main road leading to towns to the north and south. The hamlet is served by the Cortlandt Metro North Station. Travel time to Grand Central averages 55 minutes.

Despite its small size, Montrose offers quality leisure-time activities. The Premier Athletic Club, which has operated for 35 years, has an indoor and outdoor pool and facilities for racquetball and tennis. There are fitness classes as well as programs and camps for kids. Outdoor lovers will be drawn to the area’s parks. The Montrose Point State Forest is an undeveloped 51 acre space which was once a brick factory. It’s a great place to hike and observe nature. Westchester County runs Georges Island Park, which is a 208 acre waterfront space with wetlands, rugged trails and picnic areas. Kayaks, canoes and small watercraft can take to the river from the park’s boat launch.

Though there is minimal shopping, the Cortlandt Town Center, which is one of upper Westchester’s main retail sites, is close, with enough stores to meet most people’s needs. There is also a large multiplex cinema.

Montrose is part of the Hendrick Hudson School District, which has a total student population of 2,700 students who hail from Montrose and its surrounding areas. There are three elementary schools in the district. Frank G. Lindsey Elementary serves the children in Montrose. There are approximately 450 students in the school. On recent state exams, most of the students performed well with only 3-5% failing to meet standards. Students from all three elementary schools join each other at Blue Mountain Middle School, and go on to Hendrick Hudson High School, which is also located in Montrose. Both the district’s secondary schools have won recognition locally and nationally for excellence.

The hamlet offers many affordable housing options. There are many single family homes under $500,000, as well as condominiums. A limited number of new homes are also in progress.

Those looking for a small, pretty, quiet Northern Westchester river community surrounded by parkland would do well to consider Montrose, one of three hamlets in Cortlandt. Maps and directions to this area can be a little confusing; for instance, the lovely George’s Island Park is usually listed in Cortlandt Manor, a hamlet recently split off from Peekskill, even though it’s actually in Montrose. However, with the various hamlets of Cortlandt being as small and connected as they are, even being lost won’t take you far out of your way, and there are always friendly residents to put you on the right path.

For history buffs, the discovery of large deposits of clay and sand on Verplanck Point, in Montrose, started the brickmaking industry in Cortlandt. In 1855, there were 37 operating brickyards, employing over 1000 men, and Verplanck still has many old brick buildings harking back to that era.

Lovers of the outdoor life will feel right at home here, as Montrose has two parks of its own: Montrose State Park, with beautiful, well-marked trails leading to Hudson River vistas, and George’s Island, a mecca for local birdwatchers, who can view mergansers, buffleheads, the occasional least bittern, and, in the winter, bald eagles. The Annual Hudson River EagleFest, in February, is based in the nearby Croton Point Park, but sends shuttlebuses to George’s Island for guaranteed eagle viewing. There are thousands of acres of protected land along each side of the river both to the north and south of here, so these two parks are just the beginning for adventurous hikers.

There are several good restaurants here. Nightlife is not a selling point in Montrose itself, but Lucy’s Lounge in nearby Croton has a lively music scene, the Peekskill Brewery just to the north is a fun bar/restaurant with a great choice of on-tap and bottled beers, and there is a veritable restaurant row on Division Street in Peekskill, with live music at several locations.

This is a nice little community for those who like a slower pace but with quick access to New York City, for families with kids who want a small town atmosphere, or for those who’d like to retire to a closely-knit community surrounded by nature.

Montrose is a lovely little hamlet within the town of Cortlandt. It sits near the glorious Hudson River and is characterized by hills and dales, woodlands, wetlands and pretty streams. It is definitely a peaceful and idyllic place to call home and would be best for those who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Houses here are far more affordable than in other regions of normally expensive Westchester County with one to four bedroom homes ranging in price from 1around $190,000 to the mid $300,000's. It is a good place for young couples or new families to buy their first starter home.

Montrose is a dream for outdoor recreation with two stunning parks. George's Island Park is a 208-acre park right by the water which has glorious views of the majestic Hudson River and is laden with welands, wooded walking trails and a lovely pond. There is also a boat launch there so be sure to bring your kayaks! The park also has a playground, some playing fields and picnic areas. It is a wonderful way to pass a sunny afternoon with family and/or friends. Also in Montrose is Montrose State Park, a 100 acre park, with some well-marked walking trails and a pretty Hudson River lookout.

There are a few restaurants in town including Portobello, a combination of a Italian and Mexican cafe, Montrose Italian Deli, India House Restaurant, Fulgrum's Restaurant and Bar and Two Brothers Restaurant and Pizza. For more extensive shopping needs, most folks make the drive to neighbors Peekskill and Croton-On-Hudson.

A Montrose claim to fame is Cole Market, a family-owned market that has been in existence for 100 years and won the "Best of Westschester" award in 2007 for having the "Best Butcher." It is renowned for having 100% pure beef hamburgers and a wide selection of different sausages which are all preservative-free. The market also has a wonderful seafood and produce selection as well as some nice gourmet goods.

Montrose is quite safe and the crime rate is low.

Montrose is part of the Hendrick Hudson School District which is very good. The median SAT score for its high school studens is 1608.

The median household income is about $65,500 and the median home value is roughly $197,200.

The population of Montrose is approximately 3,487 and it is predominantly white.

Montrose is a hamlet of Cortlandt Manor, NY. It contains two primary ecosystems: wetland and woodland. It is positioned along the Hudson River, so there are plenty of beautiful views to choose from as you walk along its shores and parks. It's a great place to visit and live in if you’re the kind of person who enjoys the great outdoors. There are two major parks in Montrose: George’s Island County Park and Montrose Point State Park. George’s is a 208-acre park which contains a pond and expansive forests and wetlands. You can take out your rowboat, sailboat or go kayaking, and catch some fish (but first, get your license!). You have to call ahead to set a reservation, if you wish to use George’s boat ramp. Montrose State Park is a 51 acre State Park. It was once home to Montrose’s brick factory, and you can still find ancient blocks scattered all over the park. It’s along the Hudson River shores, so you can walk down to the water and take in the breathtaking view.

Montrose is a rural area, and you have plenty of homes to choose from. Most are within the 80,000+ range, which is not abnormal for Westchester County. You’ll find it’s worth it, for you can send your kids to a wonderful school system: Hendrick Hudson, which offers enrichment programs and advanced technology. There’s the Premier Athletic Club which---while somewhat pricey---might be affordable for those who can afford to live here. It’s definitely worth it, with its two pools, jacuzzi, state-of-the-art workout rooms, tennis courts and other amenities.

There’s not too many restaurants but there’s at least a couple gems: India House, which is a wonderful Indian restaurant with a great buffet, and Portabello Cafe: a Mexican and Italian dining experience.

Montrose is not for everyone. You’ll want a car to get around and it’s generally for people who like the natural stillness. Medical facilities (aside from the VA hospital) are offered in other towns, so you’ll have to drive there or dial 911 in an emergency. There’s not a lot of traffic. You’re along Rt 9A, which will take you to neighboring towns Buchanan and Croton and, beyond Buchanan, Verplank, NY. If you want public transport, cabs are your best bet (but they get expensive, depending on where you’re headed). Main drawback is that there’s not much to do at night, so you’ll have to find friends or keep yourself entertained at home. Overall it’s a very safe and peaceful Westchester town meant for middle class family and outdoorsy folk who can appreciate rural areas and lots of wilderness.