James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel The Spy is based on the American Revolution that was fought on Scarsdale soil and written when he lived in the town.
One of the most popular northern suburbs in New York, Scarsdale is a town and village in Westchester County
James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel The Spy is based on the American Revolution that was fought on Scarsdale soil and written when he lived in the town.
One of the most popular northern suburbs in New York, Scarsdale is a town and village in Westchester County. This landlocked area covering 6.6 square miles is home to more than 17,100 people and occupies a prime location between the bustling cities of Mount Vernon and White Plains. It's also the county seat. With midtown Manhattan just 25 miles away, Scarsdale offers residents the best of both worlds -- an easy commute to urban hubs and an idyllic place to return to at the end of a hectic day.
Types of homes
Elegant Colonials and Tudors form the majority of the rental houses in Scarsdale, from condominiums and single-family homes to palatial estates. Apartments abound in and around the village center, such as on Popham Road and Garth Road, where a one-bedroom furnished unit in a Park Avenue-like building can come without any amenity charge. Cooperative apartments like Scarsdale Chateaux offer a more affordable alternative to most condominium apartments.
When to Start Looking
The average time it takes from the start of rental search in Scarsdale to moving in is 34 days. It's better to give yourself a little more latitude, especially if you're eyeing downtown and the western side of the village, since places for rent in these parts of Scarsdale are in high demand.
What You Need
Bring proof of income, credit card and bank statements, and character references from previous landlords, and have a month's security deposit on hand. It's common to find apartments with paid utilities in Scarsdale, but in some cases renters get their own heating and cooling bills. As a prospective tenant, you have the right to ask the landlord for a summary of the past two years' bills. There are several co-op apartments for lease, each with its own minimum contract period, so be sure to know the exact terms before signing on the dotted line.
Scarsdale's five main neighborhoods are laid out in an inverted V-shape, with Greenacres at the juncture, Fox Meadow and Edgewood on the west and Heathcote and Quaker Ridge on the east. Surrounding areas may have a Scarsdale mailing address, but they merely share the same zip code: 10583.
Greenacres: If charming period architecture has you kicking your heels, then why not start your search in this neighborhood? Greenacres has a high concentration of pre-war homes that have thankfully been refitted with plumbing and heating from this century. It's also one of Scarsdale's most desirable locations due to its walking proximity to Hartsdale train station. A bike trail runs parallel to Walworth Avenue, which leads off to the County Tennis Club on Brook Lane.
Edgewood: While many communities in Scarsdale boast spacious properties -- some with enough sprawl in them to satisfy pop divas like Beyonce, who has been rumored to own a slice of suburban paradise on this side of New York -- Edgewood on the other hand has plenty of rental houses with smaller, cozier footprints. Along Popham Road, for instance, are some of Scarsdale's more affordable one-bedroom apartments. The northwestern pocket of this neighborhood is business central or downtown. Dubbed "The Village," it exudes a European appeal with its many Tudor-style shops and galleries. Local favorite Moscato serves Mediterranean fine dining al fresco, while Imagine Candy takes artisan chocolates and sweets to a whole new level.
Fox Meadow: Being adjacent to The Village is just the icing on the cake for this neighborhood. Residents here take pride in their well-maintained parks and green spaces, such as the Fox Meadow Park, Butler Field and Dean Field, where Little League players step up to the plate in hopes of making Scarsdale history. For some inner peace indoors, there's Nancy Kardon's Iyengar Yoga on Brewster Road. Locals also enjoy having the Scarsdale train station nearby.
Heathcote: Known as one of the pricier neighborhoods in town, it's bordered by the major artery of Post Road on the west and Saxon Woods Park on the east. Social time revolves around the historical Fenway Golf Club. For gourmets and connoisseurs, Balducci's Food Lover's Market and Vintology Wine and Spirits are both found on Palmer Avenue.
Quaker Ridge: Anyone who lives for the perfect swing would find this community their cup of "tee." Quaker Ridge Golf Club, which also has swimming pools and tennis courts, is home to the 18-hole beauty that has often been called Tillie's Treasure, named after the renowned golf course designer Tillinghast. Scarsdale's golf central is also surrounded by two other fairways -- Bonnie Briar Country Club and Winged Foot Golf Club -- from neighboring towns. Hutchinson River Parkway, or "The Hutch," runs from east to west and is a convenient thoroughfare linking the town with the rest of the state.
With 10 neighborhood parks, including Aspen and Scarsdale Recreation Department's swimming pools and tennis courts, there is no lack of outdoor activities for the locals. The Weinberg Nature Center has great hiking trails and camping sites, as well as acres of wildlife sanctuary. Scarsdale also has several public events that bring the community together, such as the Paragon Fine Art Festival and the Chase Park free summer concerts. The Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, which is actually two-weeks long and takes place during spring and fall, is a highlight on the Westchester County calendar. Dine at all of the local favorites and even meet some of the chefs behind the dishes!
The Metro-North Station zipping along Scarsdale's western rim shuttles commuters on the Harlem line to Grand Central Terminal, where about half of the town's residents head to each morning. The ride from the Scarsdale station takes less than 40 minutes, but the 6:32 A.M. express trip takes only 29 minutes. Bronx River Parkway on the west and the Hutchinson River Parkway on the east connect the town to the rest of New York. Westchester County Airport is 20 minutes away by car.
