Viola residents should count themselves lucky that prior residents wanted a name change -- this small hamlet within the town of Ramapo was originally called Mechanicsville.
It is not hard to see why Viola, New York, scores high on top-places-to-live lists
Viola residents should count themselves lucky that prior residents wanted a name change -- this small hamlet within the town of Ramapo was originally called Mechanicsville.
It is not hard to see why Viola, New York, scores high on top-places-to-live lists. Super close to Harriman State Park, this tree-rich area is a sight to behold in autumn. Don't be surprised if you wake up to a deer skipping through your garden. Add to it the fact that it is only about 30 miles from the Big Apple and you will begin to see the appeal: you can enjoy the tranquility of nature so close to one of the most bustling cities in the world. Locals may not know what you talk about when you refer to living in Viola, as postal addresses in this area mostly fall under Suffern.
Before making a decision on where you would like to stay, it is always a good idea to do your homework and know what to expect. Looking at the housing market in Viola, you will find that there is a day-and-night difference from the New York City apartments you might be used to.
A Pretty Penny
Brace yourself when looking at the prices of rental homes in Viola. You might want to blink once or twice: rental rates in this hamlet are very affordable and you can expect to pay almost half the price of New York condo rentals of the same size. Even if you compare it with the national average, Viola is still 20% cheaper than what most Americans have to fork out.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
You will find a great variety of housing options in Viola, ranging from 3-bedroom family houses to duplexes for rent and condo rentals. Single, detached units (homes) account for a large percent of the housing in the area, with the rest being a mixture of apartment complexes and townhomes ranging in size. Interestingly enough, there are more one bedrooms -- as well as four- and five-bedroom units -- in Viola than two-bedroom apartments or three-bedroom rental homes.
Securing Your New Home
Finding and securing an apartment in Viola is not going to be a walk in the park. Rentals are not exactly easy to come by in this hamlet, so you need to be well prepared when you meet your prospective landlord for the first time. Besides walking up with your best manners in place, you will also need to have the correct documents to let the process run smoothly, should you both like what you see. Your personal details and proof of income are among the things you will need. And don't forget about the security deposit; you don't want to be scrambling for money after the landlord has said yes.
While too small for proper neighborhoods, apartment communities in Viola are situated close to the Viola Town Park, and to the south near the New York State Thruway which runs right past Viola, allowing easy access to wherever you want to be. If you are fond of hitting a ball hard and far, you can retreat to the calm of the nearby Spook Rock Golf Course to test the greens. The Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks is ideal if you prefer ice skates to golf shoes while Viola Town Park, Spook Rock Pool Town Park, and Orchard Hills Park are where you will be at home in hiking boots. Fitness freaks who prefer sweating it out in a gym will love the Lifeplex Health Club in the southern part of Viola.
Although the whole hamlet is extremely walkable, you may need a car if you want to get to the bigger shopping centers. Folks in Viola have a 41-minute commute on average. If you plan on commuting to Manhattan, consider taking the train from Spring Valley Station, unless you don't mind sitting in heavy traffic every day. On weekends, there are plenty of places to explore. If history is your thing, be sure to check out the Suffern Railroad, Holocaust, or Mahwah Museums. If you simply want to grab some grub, Chai Pizza and Falafel, Airmont Eats, and the Purple Pear are all excellent choices.
