Eastchester

Eastchester is a large town occupying five square miles in lower Westchester. Within its boundaries are the incorporated village of Bronxville, the incorporated village of Tuckahoe, and a large unincorporated area referred to as Eastchester. As incorporated areas, the two villages govern themselves, but share some services, such as the recreation department, with the town.

The town’s first settlers came from Fairfield, Connecticut, in the 1600s, and created a farming community. During the Revolutionary War, the area was deemed “neutral ground” between British troops occupying New York City and American-held territory in upper Westchester, and so no major fighting happened there. The rise of the railroad during the 1800s began to shift the area from its rural beginnings, as did the discovery of marble quarries in Eastchester and Tuckahoe. Marble found in the quarries was transported all over, including New York and Washington D.C., to be used in construction. Meanwhile, Bronxville’s founder, William Van Duzer Lawrence, envisioned the village as an artists’ colony and built homes equipped with art studios.

Today, Eastchester is a sought-after town, especially by families with children. There are three excellent school districts, each named for the area it serves. Residents who work in Manhattan have four nearby Metro North stations to choose from: Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Crestwood and Scarsdale. The trip to Grand Central takes thirty to forty minutes.

Bronxville is the most exclusive of the three areas, with very few choices for buyers with smaller budgets. Tuckahoe and Eastchester have some pricey properties as well, but both have a wider selection of less expensive single family homes. There are also more co-op and condominium complexes in Tuckahoe and Eastchester.

There is a substantial amount of parkland in Eastchester, as well as private clubs for golf and tennis. Lake Isle Park is the largest facility, with five pools, a public golf course, and six tennis courts. The park is open to all residents of Eastchester and its villages. Eastchester’s recreation department oversees all its town parks, and organizes programs for kids, adults and seniors.

Tuckahoe and Bronxville both have centralized shopping areas, while Eastchester’s primary draw is the large Vernon Hills shopping center, anchored by Lord and Taylor. Its location near Yonkers and White Plains gives Eastchester residents additional opportunities for mall shopping.

Eastchester is a town in lower Westchester which includes the villages of Tuckhoe and Bronxville. Within the town there is a large unincorporated area, also referred to as Eastchester. This unincorporated area occupies three and a half square miles, with a population of 19,000.

Settled in 1664, Eastchester began as a farming community. During the 1800s, marble quarrying became a major industry in both Eastchester and Tuckahoe. The quarries thrived for over a hundred years and provided marble for important buildings in New York City and Washington D.C. Today, many residents commute to the city and have a choice of several Metro-North stops. Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Crestwood and Scarsdale are all convenient to Eastchester residents, with trains serving all four stations frequently and making the trip in a half hour to forty minutes. Two highways, the Bronx River and the Hutchinson River, also border Eastchester.

The area is well-positioned for shopping. The Vernon Hills Shopping Center is a popular destination with numerous national retailers, including Lord and Taylor, Banana Republic and Gap. Grocery stores and drugstores are easily reached, and proximity to shopping areas in White Plains and Yonkers gives residents additional choices.

Lake Isle Park is a large facility and the jewel of Eastchester’s recreational offerings. Once a private club, it is now run by the town. There are five pools, including kiddie pools, an 18-hole golf course, and 6 tennis courts.

The schools are an important selling factor. The Eastchester UFSD educates 3,100 students. There are three elementary schools: Waverly, Anne Hutchinson and Greenvale. Students later attend Eastchester Middle School and Eastchester High School. Newsweek magazine recently ranked the nation’s high schools, with Eastchester being ranked 314 in the nation. The rankings are based on graduation rate, SAT scores, number of students taking AP exams, and availability of college-level courses.

Eastchester has an active arts scene. The Eastchester Arts Council is an organization presenting cultural programs including concerts, exhibits, and after school programs in the Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe school districts. The town’s recreation department also sponsors a summer theater program for youth, and summer concerts are held at the Eastchester Town Hall.

Compared to its sister village Bronxville, Eastchester can accommodate a wider range of housing budgets, with moderately priced co-ops and condominiums. House-hunters who don’t have million-dollar budgets will also find a good selection of single-family homes.

The Vernon Hills Shopping Center in Eastchester is located on Route 22 (or White Plains Road), only a short drive from the Hutchinson River Parkway and the Bronx River Parkway. Vernon Hills are home to several higher-end clothing stores and restaurants. Customers can shop at Ann Taylor, the Gap, Lord and Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Talbots, Papyrus, and New York Sports Club, as well as at other popular retail chains. They can find something to eat at the Fig and Olive, which serves delicious Mediterranean dishes, though they are a little pricey. Haiku, an Asian bistro and sushi bar, is across the street. (Though I have never eaten there myself, online reviews are, unfortunately, somewhat negative.) I can, however, attest that the Westchester Bagel Café, which is a few doors down from Haiku, serves good diner fare and mouth-watering pastries. Vernon Hills also has a Fresh Market for those who want to avoid the crowded, endless aisles of larger supermarkets like A&P or Shop Rite. There is also a Huntington Learning Center at the shopping center for elementary and high school students who need extra help with their schoolwork. Parking at Vernon Hills is free.

Of course, since Vernon Hills is a major shopping center catering to the inhabitants of both Eastchester and Scarsdale and is located on a main road, the surrounding area suffers from a high volume of traffic during certain times of the day. Vernon Hills offers a fun few hours of shopping if you are willing to brave the congestion on Route 22.

Eastchester, with a population of over 35,000, contains the villages of Tuckahoe and Bronxville and borders such busy areas as the City of New Rochelle and the affluent town of Scarsdale.

Once populated by the Sinoway Native Americans, Eastchester is now a thriving town built on its shopping districts and high tax rates. Houses here can cost anywhere between $500,000 and $700,000 or higher, but there are many beautiful spots that make it well worth it: Lake Isle, for instance, which is also the site of the town’s country and golf club, as well as several gorgeous Townhouses (you can by one for around $699,000, and get such cool amenities as lake rights and a private patio), and Twin Lakes Park, which is a great place to hike, jog, birdwatch and ride horses around the big lake.

Eastchester has two shopping centers: Vernon Hills in Eastchester and Eastchester Shopping Center, which is shared by the town of Scarsdale (and has a Scarsdale address). There’s lots of different varieties of restaurants to choose from, like Lotus King for Asian fusion, or Cio for authentic Italian food. In the Summer, visit Carvel for ice cream afterwards, and you can grab some world-famous coffee at the local Starbucks or shop at the distinguished Lord & Taylor’s.

Eastchester is not as upscale as its neighboring Scarsdale but it is just as nice to live in (and much less expensive); Eastchester Heights Apartments offers affordable housing for low-income families, and the price of a home is typical for middle-class families living throughout Westchester.

While Eastchester Union Free School District is not as recognized as its neighboring Scarsdale, the schools are designed to cultivate the arts, as kids are taken on field trips and programs deliver encouragement in the humanities. There’s lots of extra-curricular activities, and kids can engage in the enjoyment of sports.

Eastchester is a wonderful place to live for people who are looking for great restaurants, shopping options, and culture. (Don’t forget to visit the Circle Museum Sculpture Park, located near Eastchester in the Bronx!) Visit the library with your little one and have them read a story by the caring staff and volunteers. Also, live music at the library is a great way to spend your weekend off.

Eastchester is a family-friendly town that has a little something for everyone.

Eastchester is a town that includes Bronxville, Tuckahoe and certain unincorporated sections. It is in Southern Westchester County and, therefore, fairly close to Manhattan. The train stations in Scarsdale and Crestwood are the closest Metro North access points for most Eastchester residents.

Eastchester attracts a wide variety of buyers because the neighborhood offers housing options such as co-ops in addition to the single-family homes typical of most suburbs. The co-ops are in the sections of Eastchester that shares a zip code with Scarsdale and are within walking distance to the Scarsdale station, making co-ops a particularly attractive option even for young professionals.

Families with kids are the bulk of the population and there’s much here for keeping various age groups engaged and happy. Sports leagues and recreational activities are aplenty. Lake Isle Club, with its multiple swimming pools, was once a private club and is now run by the town and is accessible to all residents. Some non-residents can also use the facilities.

Shopping is easy and there is variety. Everyone talks about the Vernon Hills Shopping Mall with its Ann Taylor Loft and Lord & Taylor. Besides the shopping in town, Eastchester is also close enough to other exciting shopping in Westchester.
Schools in Eastchester get a fairly good rating. There are many families that think well of the Eastchester system and the supportive educational environment. Some families opt to use parochial schools and they often site class size as a reason for the choice.

Interesting fact: Eastchester was once a central marble quarry location and Tuckahoe Marble was highly valued!

The neighborhood of Eastchester in the Town of Eastchester refers to the parts that are not Tuckahoe or Bronxville! This is a strange way to define a neighborhood and yet, in this case, the simplest way to say it. Eastchester offers everything from garden apartments to million dollar water-front properties – it seems an unlikely mix but it is the kind of place where the unlikely elements co-exist seamlessly!

Eastchester schools get fairly good rating from residents. The public school system offers a range of support programs such as those for gifted and talented children. Given that Tuckahoe and Bronxville don’t seem to offers the same support this is a nice feature for Eastchester residents.

Eastchester is close to Manhattan, fairly southern in terms of Westchester County, and significantly cheaper than the five boroughs. It is no wonder that many commuters seriously consider Eastchester when conducting a house search. The range of housing options makes it attractive to people in different stages in life. Eastchester is more diverse than certain other towns in Westchester County.

Lake Isle Country Club, which is now a town-operated facility, was once a private country club. The five pools, the golf course and the tennis courts are a big draw for many residents and there are a limited number of passes for non-residents also.

Eastchester is a modern-day suburb with plenty of history. The town was settled in the 17th century and it all started around 10 families settling down in the area. The growth of the town from then to now can be fascinating for any history buff.

The town of Eastchester, which is also comprised of the villages of Bronxville and Tuckahoe, was first settled in 1664 by a gaggle of families who made the migration from Fairfield, Connecticut to this five square mile southern Westchester County enclave.

For those wishing to indulge in some retail therapy, the Vernon Hills Shopping Center is a popular destination laden with high-end department stores and smaller boutiques such as Lord & Taylor, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, Children's Place, Starbucks, Brooks Brothers and American Eagle. There is also an amply sized Stop and Shop, a Food Emporium, a Trader Joe’s and a Mrs. Greens.

For food enthusiasts, there are a dozen notable eateries including a terrific Asian fusion bistro, an authentic Italian restaurant, a real deal Italian deli, a bar that is often on the acclaimed Best of Westchester list for its burgers, a phenomenal bakery offering delectable Italian ices and of course, the requisite Starbucks.

The Lake Isle Country Club is one of the most popular and long-standing town attractions and is open to all residents for a nominal fee. It has a park-like setting landscaped with tennis courts, a public pool and a golf range.

Eastchester is quite safe with a very low crime rate.

The school system is decent although nothing to write home about. The average SAT score is 1586 and a reported 92% of high school graduates do go on to college.

Eastchester is 83% White, 6.5% Hispanic, 7.6% Asian and 1.1% Black. There is a prevalent Italian-American influence amongst the 83%.

The median household income is $97,264. The median home value is $442,236 and the median rental rate is $1,627.00.

The total population of Eastchester is 19,554 with the median age being 43.

I've always felt unenthusiastic about Eastchester, it's neither a great or terrible town. To its credit the crime rate is low and the school system is solid. Eastchester can't boast the highest test scores in the county but they are renowned for having a very nurturing environment and it seems like the teachers really care about their students.

There is a big Italian community and everyone is friendly. If you're looking for a place where you can get to know your neighbors then this might be the right town for you. Lake Isle Country Club, sometimes referred to as a park, is arguably the center of the community. It's open to all residents for an annual fee. There's a swimming pool, a golf range, and tennis courts and it's reasonably priced if you sign up for the the family rate or if you just pay for access to certain areas of the club.

There's not much in the way of entertainment or nightlife but New York City isn't very far away. Vernon Hills Shopping Center is probably the most convenient place for residents to get their shopping done even though it's not in Eastchester. It's a short drive away and has a Trader Joe's and Starbucks among other stores.

Eastchester is a town in Westchester County that includes Tuckahoe and Bronxville. The parts of Eastchester that aren’t in those two towns are where you will find a cheaper and wider variety of housing options: garden apartments, single-family homes, and co-ops. Close to the lake, there are also huge and expensive waterfront properties. Eastchester also has a good number of rentals as the unincorporated areas are primarily working class. The homes here are far more affordable than comparable properties in the boroughs. Prices dropped even more after the recent foreclosure crisis. The population in Eastchester is as diverse as its housing. There are people of nearly every income bracket, race, and religion. There are also numerous recreational activities in Eastchester. Residents have access to the huge Lake Isle Park, which was once a country club that has swimming pools, tennis courts, and a beautiful golf course. The town also has a number of smaller parks, where residents jog, picnic, and play baseball, soccer, or basketball. There is plenty of shopping at the Vernon Hills Shopping Center. While there are restaurants here, they aren’t exactly trendy. The school district is pretty mediocre, but the parents here speak highly of the kindergarten program. The commute to Manhattan via MetroNorth is pretty good; it takes under half an hour.