There arehundredsof suburbs just outside of your city, each with a unique personality, population and reason thousands of people call ithome.To help shine a light on some of the unique aspects of some of our favorite ‘burbs, we’ve called in the pros—our Suburban Jungle Locals who live, work and raise their families in these amazing towns. Their task? Tell us why their community is so special, and help YOU start to suss out suburbs like a true insider.
THIS WEEK:Rye Brook, a hot suburb in Westchester County, just 40 minutes from midtown Manhattan.
POPULATION:9,553
AVERAGE COMMUTE TIME TO NYC:40-50 minutes via Metro-North
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO RYE BROOK?We loved the easy NYC access and small town feel Rye Brook provided. With family on Long Island and in the city, it was important to be close to both.
WHAT ARE THE3 BEST THINGSABOUT RYE BROOK?
It’s a close-knit community with top-rated schools and averyeasy commute to the city—and that’s just the beginning!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GRAB A BITE.
YOUR KIDS’ FAVE!
Our kids’ favorites are Buddha, a hibachi and sushi place, and Chipotle. Both are in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center.
WITHOUT THE KIDS!
Gabriel’s in nearby Greenwich— about 10-15 minutes away.
BRUNCH!
Beehive!
DINNER!
Fortine in Rye Brook. Port Chester is also nearby— about eight to 10 minutes away— and is home to two of our favorites, Tarry Lodge and Bar Taco.
FAVORITE PLACE TO WORKOUT?
Clay Health Club in Port Chester.
WHAT ISYOURFAVORITE THING TO DO IN RYE BROOK WITH THE KIDS?
With the kids we love bike riding, playing tennis and going to Pine Ridge and Crawford Park with friends. We also spend A LOT of time watching the kids play soccer or eating lunch and shopping in Rye Ridge Plaza. And every year we count down to the fireworks at the local Rye Beach!
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OK—WHAT ABOUTWITHOUTTHE KIDS?
Withoutthe kids we love to grab dinner locally—in Rye Brook or in neighboring Greenwich and White Plains. We also haveveryeasy access to golf and tennis locally—weather permitting!
BACK TO THE KIDS—WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICT DO YOU FEED INTO?
Blind Brook
WHAT’S THE BEST OR MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS?
I LOVE that everything in the school district is done electronically. Homework, assignments and class notes are offered to the students on Edline. Even volunteer opportunities, activities and sports sign ups happen online! Keeping with the theme, in 7th grade students are given a ChromeBook to use through middle and high school.
Beyond that, though, I love when I drop my daughter off in the morningeveryonegreets her, starting with the security guard who greets her by name and asks about her day or weekend. Our small school provides a super-nurturing environment from elementary school through high school, and it’s incredible.
TELL US ABOUT THE CHILDCARE SCENE.
There are actually a lot of different approaches to childcare here. It feels like every family has a combination approach, to some extent—a combination of a nanny, SAHM, au pair, day care, grandparents and lots more. If you’re at pick up or drop off in any of the schools you will see a healthy mix of childcare scenarios.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL CITY FAMILIES CONSIDERING RYE BROOK?
Rye Brook is a hidden gem. We are a tight-knit community with wonderful schools, easy city access and a very down-to-earth feel. I love having land but also having neighborhoods where our kids can ride bikes outside and feel completely safe.
ANY “HIDDEN GEMS” OR LOCAL FAVORITES NEWCOMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT?
Crawford Park is a total hidden gem—andit’s in the process of getting a complete makeover! The “new” Crawford Park will have great new soccer fields, beautiful gardens, a playground and a walking trail.
The park also offers “The Mansion” which can be rented out for parties, plus Music at the Mansion which includes musical events featuring both nationally-renowned and exceptional local talent. We love it there.
Suburban Jungleis an award-winning firm that specializes in moving families from urban to suburban. The company’s innovative “town first” approach helps buyers find the right suburb for their family based on personality and lifestyle, not just the house. Services are FREE and fully customized to each family and their unique journey. To learn more and to connect with a Suburbs Strategist, and find the place your family truly fits in visitwww.suburbanjunglerealty.comand clickGET STARTED.