South Salem

We moved here last year after realizing how beautiful it was, and how we could get so much more house for our $. Along with a beautiful Lake that is beloved by many residents for walking, biking, running (as well as seasonal swimming, canoeing, should your property have some type of Lake rights: great for little ones. ) Also a great Park & Rec Department, town pool (gigantic) and several town parks, one with lighted basketball courts. A weekday shuttle bus from Spring St. (free parking) gets you to Katonah train in roughly 20 mins, then 50 mins to NYC on the Harlem Line, a very nice line! This hamlet of Lewisboro, though small, has a rich history and a vibrant local, historic Tavern, a useful deli, several churches, wonderful Library (due to be remodeled & expanded) and Post Office, where nearby horses graze and slyly watch you do your daily thing. We can be in northern Manhattan by car in 45 mins; it really works for us. Katonah hamlet is 10 mins away as is Ridgefield Ct., center, and the Saw Mill gets one to more shopping dining, movie options in Mt. Kisco or Bedford Hills, on a route I find very scenic & easy. The fabulous local elementary school, LES is nurturing and award winning & the wildlife and nature are so lush and interesting, it's the best of several worlds for our family.

South Salem is very rural, secluded hamlet located in the town of Lewisboro, NY, part of a predominantly white community. It’s one of the most expensive places to live in Westchester County, where homes will cost generally around 700,000+ or up (average listing price is $756,605, and renting will cost you over $2,000 a month). South Salem kids go to the prestigious Katonah-Lewisboro School District, serving towns like nearby Katonah and Goldens Bridge. The district’s stats are way above average in all fields across the board.

Kids will love visiting the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem (call ahead for a reservation), where you’ll see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat, even wolf cubs if you’re lucky! You’ve also got Onatru Farm Town Park and Preserve, which offers fields for bird watching, soccer, basketball and lacrosse playing. You can camp here too. There’s also a short 1.5 mile trail (perfect for young kids) that will take you into beautifully dense Scotch pine forests. The town of Lewisboro has a Nature Museum, where a guide will take you on a long 6-mile hike, which is worth it because you will learn about all the different ecosystems here (like woodland and marshlands).

Great restaurants are the quaint Horse and Hound Inn, which is an old-fashioned Inn and Restaurant with fine dining quizine. Once a stagecoach resting point, a schoolhouse and gin and rum mill, the Inn now hosts celebrations out on the patio for people who want a gourmet meal and excellent services. Also, for fine French quizine, La Chateau is the place to be.

South Salem is very quiet and very safe. You’ll find groceries at Greenwhich Produce, Vista Market and the Spring Street Country Market right in town. For other amenities like coffee and specialty items, you’ll have to drive to nearby Ridgefield CT for shopping expeditions (there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts and Nature’s Temptations, a health food store). It’s one of New York’s prettiest places to live in and there’s plenty to do outdoors. People who want a good nightlife will be disappointed, but people who appreciate peace and quiet will be in Heaven. Teens, visit the nearby Danbury Mall for a great hangout with friends.

My family and I moved to a Part of South Salem called Vista, which is literally touching New Canaan CT. It's been about 6 months now, once we first moved here from Long Island, it was very tough, we weren't used to no street lights, sidewalks, and close by shopping. Soundview Loop is the best block in all of Lewisboro, I'm still not used to how quiet it is, and do miss Long Island, but I will say, Vista is the best part of South Salem, If your from more of an urban area and moving here, like me, I suggest to try and find a house on a decently populated block, Don't go to East Street! There are many people from Southern Westchester here also. If you do decide to move here, it will be tough at the very beginning, I'm still getting used to it and would love to to back to Long Island, but we're giving it a chance. VISTA, is where you wanna be :)

South Salem is a hamlet in the town of Lewisboro. It is home to the town’s only library, drawing residents from the other hamlets. The hamlet is located within just a few miles of Connecticut’s border; the entire town of Lewisboro was once involved in a lengthy battle over which state would claim the land; New York ultimately won.

Like Lewisboro as a whole, South Salem is peaceful, with little development. The area is characterized by natural beauty, rural roads, and open space. South Salem is home to the library, which all Lewisboro residents may use, and the town offices. Golden's Bridge and Katonah have Metro-North stations, but both are a good ride from South Salem.

The Katonah-Lewisboro School District enrolls children who live in South Salem. There are four elementary schools; South Salem is served primarily by Meadow Pond Elementary School. John Jay Middle School and John Jay High School are located in nearby Cross River. Many house hunters are drawn to South Salem primarily because of the quality of the schools, whose results are consistently excellent. There is also a broad selection of athletic and artistic opportunities.

South Salem is home to Lake Truesdale, an 83 acre man-made lake. Created in 1927, there are two private beaches available to members of the respective homeowners’ associations. There are also four town parks, run by the Lewisboro Recreation Department.
Potential homebuyers will find options for many budgets in South Salem, including condominiums and single family homes. However, those with more money to spend will find a greater variety of inventory; choices are fewer at the $300-$400k range.

Like its neighboring Lewisboro hamlets, South Salem has a great deal to offer, including seclusion, great schools and proximity to nature.

Wind your way along one of the main roads in South Salem, a lovely wooded hamlet in Lewisboro, and you will eventually find a small, hidden road. Only after you’ve made reservations will you be given directions, and the only sign is a small one proclaiming the name of the road. Drive up the hill, park in front of the gate, and you’ll be at the Wolf Conservation Center.

Descriptions of South Salem have already been written on this site, so instead I’ll tell you about WCC, a must-see non-profit organization that is absolutely NOT just for kids. WCC is one of the most successful facilities in the East for captive breeding endangered wolf species, and they promote an understanding and appreciation of all wolves through tours, education, and outreach programs.

Walk up the steep hill, and you’ll come to their education building, decorated with all manner of wolf paintings, statues, photos, etc. Their education people give power point presentations and are funny, entertaining, yet provide you with important information – from the natural history of the wolf, through the damage done by Little Red Riding Hood, to the insanity of federally funded eradication programs – which will outrage you on behalf of this incredibly beautiful, misunderstood and persecuted predator.

The last time I was there our group leader finished his presentation, then led us outside. He threw back his head, and let out a howl. There was silence. He did it again. Silence. The group began looking sideways at each other, eyebrows raised. Then, in the distance, there was an answering howl. And another, and another. All in different pitches, all beautiful music that sent shivers down our spines. Every person in my group - from small children to senior citizens – gasped, then grinned in delight.

And they hadn’t even laid eyes on the wolves yet.

WCC is home to grey wolves, including their famous traveling embassador wolf Atka; and both Mexican gray and red wolves, both among the rarest mammals in North America. Wolves are shy and elusive, and, unless they are brought up in captivity, frightened of people. However, at one point Atka, waiting behind a tall chain link fence and impatient with the slow delivery of his chicken hunk, let out a frustrated growl – a deep, bass snarl, not aggressive (as he is fond of our group leader), but an awe-inspiring reminder that these are as far from pet dogs as it is possible for a canid to be.

What kind of people live in South Salem? The neighbors of WCC thrill to the sound of full-moon wolf howls, and become concerned if sirens go off without a wolf chorus. I can’t think of a better recommendation.

http://www.nywolf.org

South Salem is one of the four hamlets of the Town of Lewisboro. It offers the natural beauty with the rolling hills and great views that are expected in this part of Westchester County. It is sometimes hard to believe that it is only an hour away from a bustling metropolis!

South Salem has some interesting dining options. Le Chateau has earned justifiably rave reviews and there are also more casual places. Erika’s Pasta & Pizza is a popular local eatery. If you can’t find what you want in South Salem, it is not far from Ridgefield, Danbury or Katonah and all those places have a wide variety of shopping and eating options. It is worth noting that there is an interesting antiques shop in South Salem.

South Salem residents fall under the Katonah-Lewisboro Public School District and this is a highly regarded school system. It is one of main elements in many a home-buyer’s checklist. Given the largely white collar profile of South Salem, many of the resident families have adults with college education. There is emphasis on academics and academic achievement in this community.

South Salem offers houses from the small and simple to the stunning and spacious. There is something to suit a range of budgets. When South Salem is called a relatively affordable community, it is not to be forgotten that once Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards owned property here. It is after all not far from the tony Town of Bedford.

Families with kids will find much to appreciate in the lush landscape of this area. The many lakes and nature preserves in the near vicinity make it an ideal place for nature lovers.

South Salem is a placid little hamlet located within the greater town of Lewisboro, NY. It has an attractive array of medium to large Colonial homes as well as some more modern constructions. Real estate here is definitely more affordable and the area isn't pretentious. However, there are not a whole lot of ameneties here and most folks have to go elswhere although all those options are within reasonable driving ranges. Many go to the Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, CT to satiate their retail needs. In South Salem's town center and surrounding area itself is a post office, the town hall, a recycling center, a wine and spirit shop, two gas stations and a dry cleaners.

South Salem does have one culinary boasting right in the exquisite Le Chateau restaurant which serves excellent French fare, brunch and even has a children's menu. The restaurant also boasts a fireplace, a wine bar, many drink specials and live music and dancing. Another two very good dining options are Bacio Trattoria and The Horse and Hound Inn.

There is a grocery store in town called Vista Market, but most shoppers head on over to D'agostinos in Cross River, Shop Rite in Bedford Hills and Stop n' Shop in Ridgefield, CT.

There are an abundance of gorgeous parks and nature preserves in greater Lewisboro with a plethora of walking trails. There is even a helpful and detailed trail guide that can be gotten for a small donation called, "Walking Wild Lewisboro."

South Salem is quite safe and the crime rate is pretty low.

South Salem students are a part of the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School district. The system is considered to be very good and the median SAT score is 1742.

The median household income is $84,995. The median home value is $436,798 and the median rental rate is $1,279.

South Salem is 97% White, 1% Black and 1% Asian.

The population of South Salem is approximately 7,201 and the median age is 38.