New Hempstead

Now known as Ramapo (and by some as Hampstead), the formerly named New Hempstead is a town in Rockland County, NY with an impressive 126, 595 population and counting. Named after a Native American term meaning “sweet water”, Ramapo has wonderful ponds, parks and outdoor activitie for everyone to enjoy. With lots of parking, very low crime rates, and fantastic places to eat and more, Ramapo was hailed by Money Magazine in the year 2006 as being the 49th best place to live in NY!

Ramapo has a fascincating history. George Washington is rumored to have had a lookout here on Ramapo's Torne Mountain, to keep an eye out for British Ships coming into New Jersey's Sandy Hook bay area (Ramapo's southernmost end borders New Jersey near the town of Suffern). Aside from its own 18 parks, Harriman State Park is located in the town's western side, and offers its visitors 46,613 acres of land, complete with 31 lakes and great places for camping, as well as an unknown amount of streams that dot the beautiful landscape. It's a great place for hiking as well. Harriman State Park is right near Bear Mountain State Park, as well as bordering the beautiful, 18,000 acre Sterling Forest Preserve. There's also Spook Rock Golf Course, and the Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community, Health and Sports Complex, not to mention three pools, Camp Scuffy for the kids, and even an equestrian center for horseback riders, as well as Ramapo Challenger Learning Center to help develop young minds and improve their academic skills. Ramapo Central School District has great reviews across the board for different grade levels, and Ramapo High School has a 75% graduation rate.

Visitors and residents will have access to fantastic shops like Auntie El's Farm Market, David's Sport Shop, the local Starbucks, and Quiznos, among others. For great pizza and other fun lunch options, try Sunnyside's Bar and Grill in Ramapo's shopping and restaurant district and hamlet of Sloatsburg, NY right off the Orange Turnpike (you'll also find your neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts here as well).

No matter what your fancy, with its lovely surroundings and wonderful amenities, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for in Ramapo (New Hemstead), in beautiful Orange County, NY!