Riverdale

I have lived in Riverdale for over 14 years, moving here in 2000 with my middle school aged children. For those with families who work 34th street and above in Manhattan, it is a dream commute of 25 minutes on Metro North to Grand Central. You get the best of both worlds here. You can be walking in the woods in 5 minutes or can be on the Upper West Side in 15 minutes. While you don't have the same restaurant choice as Manhattan, there are still plenty of good restaurants in the area to choose from and many you can walk to. For those lucky enough to have a Hudson River view (I do), it is like living on a lake and yet you are so close to Manhattan. A short 20 minute drive north gets you to the Cross County Mall or the newer Ridge Hill Mall. Fresh Direct delivers to Riverdale, but there are also lots of stores for food shopping (Garden Gourmet Market, Stu Leonard). Van Cortlandt Park is nearby and there are many hiking trails there. The New York Philharmonic does an annual summer concert there, with fireworks, and it's a much more enjoyable experience than Central Park's crowds. House/co-op/condo prices are far cheaper than Manhattan and Brooklyn. I am amazed that so few people seem to know about this hidden gem.

All facts: Lowest crime rate in all the Bronx and one of the safest neighborhoods in the entire city. Wealthiest residents in all the Bronx and one of the most affluent in entire city but its not flaunted like in some Manhattan & Brooklyn neighborhoods. Most higher educated residents in the Bronx and entire city. Highest percentage of homeowners in the Bronx & one of the highest in the city. Best public & private schools in the country.

Riverdale is the quintessential Urban Burb with the best of both worlds. Tree lined streets with beautiful single family homes and luxury condo/coop buildings. Most people own and dont rent so there is high community involvement to keep the neighborhood awesome and amazing. Politicians very involved. State & national representatives actually live in Riverdale (says a lot). Suburban streets with urban amenities within walking distance. Near highways, 15 minute drive or taxi to Times Square. 2 Metro North stops (22 minutes to Grand Central). Express buses to Manhattan. Near #1 subway train but it does go local. Four well maintained public parks with dog runs, tennis courts & public golf courses. Great view of palisades & Hudson River. Riverdale has three commercial districts with all amenities within walking distance. Riverdale has a small town USA feel to it. Walking through Riverdale makes you feel proud to be an American and Riverdalian. Please come visit us. We welcome everyone. You may find after a visit, you'll never leave and will move here. Trust me, that's what happened to me.

The neighborhood of Riverdale which is located at the northernmost tip of the Bronx is a community which has a suburban feel though it is located within close proximity to Manhattan. The boundaries of Riverdale are largely defined by the city of Yonkers which lies to its north, the Harlem River which flows on its southern border and the Hudson River which frames it to the west and the expansive Van Cortlandt Park which forms its eastern border. (Riverdale extends roughly from W240 Street to W262 Street). This largely middle class neighborhood has within its folds three elite New York private schools, Horace Mann, Riverdale Country and Fieldston though also located within Riverdale is the renowned NYC public school, the Bronx High School of Science.
The main shopping districts in Riverdale are located along Mosholu, Riverdale and Johnson Avenues which are dominated by small mom and pop stores, Irish bars, and Italian and Japanese restaurants like Beccofino, Palace of Japan, and Salvatore’s of Soho. Though other popular eateries located here include dinner spots like the Riverdale Steak House and the Riverdale City Grill.
Riverdale is also known for its green lung for the neighborhood has within it the gorgeous Wave Hill public gardens which are located on 252nd Street and provide stunning vistas of the Hudson River and the Palisades. These historic gardens offer flower and aquatic gardens as well as a woodland trail as their main attractions. The eastern front of Riverdale is occupied by the large Van Cortlandt Park which offers organized sports and horseback riding as well as hiking trails and an oak forest. The Riverdale Park is smaller piece of heaven in the neighborhood which overlooks the Hudson River and is located on 254th Street. Riverdale is connected to Manhattan via the Metro-North Hudson Line and the No. 1 train that travels along Broadway and terminates at the 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park Station

Riverdale is a rather upper middle class neighborhood in the Bronx. I went to school in Riverdale and its an easy area to access from Manhattan. Fieldston just to the east is the nicest part of the area. Its close to several major highways like the Henry Hudson Parkway, I-87 and Broadway. Several major private schools like Horace Mann, Ethical Culture, and Riverdale Country are all located in the area as well as Manhattan College. The best place to shop is at the Riverdale Shopping Center and there are a couple of good Thai and Italian restaurants, but for most shopping and dining you will have to go into Manhattan.