It’s no surprise Scarsdale is at the top of the list when New Yorkers look for a vibrant community outside the city. Thanks to a unique blend of tranquility and urban convenience, excellent schools, walkable neighborhoods, and historic architecture, this Westchester County village has long been an attractive landing spot for families and professionals alike.
With a rich history and hot real estate market to boot, Scarsdale provides a high quality of living just a stone’s throw from Manhattan and Long Island Sound. Here, we explore the many reasons you should give it a look if you haven’t already.
Overview of Scarsdale, NY
At just six-and-a-half square miles, the wooded hamlet of Scarsdale (meaning “rocky, craggy valley”) lies between the Bronx and Hutchinson Rivers 10 miles from the border of New York City. Home to roughly 18,000 residents today, the village’s roots date back to before the Revolutionary War when it was a small farming village—an identity that changed in 1846 when the New York and Harlem Railroad made Scarsdale easily accessible from the city.
In the late nineteenth century, wealthy New Yorkers bought land in Scarsdale and as large estates were subdivided it became a popular suburb. Many of the homes of that era—including classic colonials and tudors—still stand today, though there is a bevy of more contemporary luxury real estate throughout the community today, as well.
Scarsdale, NY Neighborhoods and Real Estate Options
There are five formal neighborhoods in Scarsdale, each one home to an elementary school of the same name. Greenacres, at the northern edge bordering White Plains and Hartsdale, is a close walk to public transportation and primarily features single-family homes built in the early twentieth century.
Heathcote is centrally located, with large homes, an expansive shopping center, and one of the wealthier populations in the state of New York, while the Quaker Ridge neighborhood lies in the southernmost area of Scarsdale bordering the town of Mamaroneck.
Fox Meadow, on the eastern side of town, is a close walk to Scarsdale Train Station, attracting buyers looking for condos and apartments, while Edgewood offers a family-friendly vibe with close proximity to the shops and restaurants of downtown Scarsdale, a major draw for residents and visitors alike.
The Schools in Scarsdale, New York
The public school education system in Scarsdale is among the main reasons the village has such a pull on families with school-aged kids. The Scarsdale Union Free School District operates five highly-rated elementary schools—Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Quaker Ridge, Heathcote, and Greenacres—as well as a middle school and high school, with about 4,800 students enrolled across all grade levels and a 12-1 student to teacher ratio.
According to the district, standardized test scores are typically among the strongest in the state and the region, and Niche reports that 90 percent of students are at or above proficient levels in mathematics and reading. Moreover, each school offers a myriad of extracurricular activities ranging from theater to varsity athletics.
There are plenty of private schools in the area for families looking for private education options. Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Catholic pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school in the Edgewood neighborhood, while nearby are a variety of options, including the Leffell School in Hartsdale, the Rye Country Day School, and the French American School in Mamaroneck.
Community Events and Culture
Throughout the year, there are countless opportunities to get involved in community happenings. And in many ways, the beating heart of town is at the Scarsdale Public Library, a 25,000 square-foot-facility that was renovated in 2021 and keeps a robust event calendar for both children and adults.
When the weather is warm, residents enjoy raucous events like the Scarsdale Music Festival in June and a farmers market that’s open every Sunday from May through November. And while the town is not geographically large, it does have ample public park space, including the 33-acre Greenburgh Nature Center which is home to a wide-ranging natural history exhibit at the Manor House Museum.
The town also hosts events and recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, including adult tennis and pickleball, softball, and pickup basketball, as well as a variety of recreational sports for kids.
The public Scarsdale Pool Complex—featuring four pools and a packed calendar of programming—is also a favorite destination for families in the summer months.
Dining and Shopping Activities in Scarsdale, NY
The downtown area of Scarsdale, which was intentionally built to look like an English village, is home to world-class culinary and shopping experiences. Highly rated joints like Cafe Alaia, One Rare Italian Steakhouse, and Sapori offer some of the best Italian flavor in Westchester County, while Meritage serves farm-to-table American fare and Popojito bills itself as a Med-Mex kitchen.
Downtown shoppers will be thrilled to find boutiques like La Dentelliere for European gifts and home decor, Pookie and Sebastian for women’s fashion, and Rothman’s for menswear.
And the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center, located in the Heathcote neighborhood and featuring more than twenty shops and eateries, is a hub of culture in Scarsdale.
Public Transportation and Commute
For commuters, the village of Scarsdale is among the most convenient suburbs you can find.
Historic Scarsdale Station, which dates back to the 1840s, is one of the busiest train lines in Westchester County, delivering riders to New York via the Metro-North Railroad in about 35 minutes during rush hour—which means parents can work in Manhattan and be home in time for dinner with the family.
The Bee-Line Bus System is also a major amenity for Scarsdale residents. Owned and operated by Westchester County, the system offers connections to New York City’s MTA routes as well as an express route to Fifth Avenue.
With quick access by car to I-87 and I-95, reaching all points north and south is easy, and LaGuardia Airport is just a 30-minute drive.
Time to Make the Move to Scarsdale, NY?
Whether it’s the tree-lined streets and charming neighborhoods, the top-notch schools, or the family-friendly events all year round, reasons abound to make Scarsdale, New York your home. And that’s why so many people in search of easy access to New York and a diverse lifestyle have already made the move.
So, if you’re considering Scarsdale, our Local Expert Strategists are here to help guide your decision-making process to find the perfect home in this distinguished suburban haven.
