Best Towns in Westchester County, NY - 2025 Guide
By Alex Mikoulianitch on January 06, 2025
Westchester is a retreat for Manhattanites looking to stay close to work but escape the gridlocked bustle of city life. With as little as a half-hour trip on the Metro-North, you can get off at several hamlets and villages in the scenic Westchester County, where homebuyers spend millions on properties with expansive acreage surrounded by natural beauty.
Each town offers a unique slice of New York suburban charm, providing residents with an endless amount of nature to traverse, local restaurants to enjoy, and a rich culture and arts scene.
Below, our team has put together a guide to the ten best places to live in Westchester County to help you in your search.
Best Towns in Westchester County
- Bronxville
- Scarsdale
- Bedford
- Larchmont
- Rye
- Irvington
- Briarcliff Manor
- Chappaqua
- Armonk
- Tarrytown
Bronxville
Located just 15 miles north of Midtown Manhattan is the village of Bronxville, one square mile of lush greenery with a small-town feel in close proximity to New York City. Bronxville is nestled in the southernmost part of Eastchester and is bordered to the east by the sparkling Bronx River.
Named after Dutch settler Jonas Bronck, Bronxville originated in 1666, when it was deeded to Dutch settlers by the Mohican Tribes inhabiting the land. It grew into a thriving farm town and by 1868 was incorporated into Eastchester.
Pondfield Road winds through the village before opening up on the historic "Four Corners" of Bronxville’s Civic Center. Beyond is the eclectic business district, offering its residents boutique shops, doctors’ offices, banks, and local restaurants such as The Urban Hamlet and the Bronxville Diner.
A short distance from all the shops and activities, residents will find Lawrence Park, a historic landmark home to 19th-century houses that served as residences to many prominent writers and artists of that time.
Commuters to Manhattan can get on the Harlem Line at the Bronxville Metro-North station and take a 35-minute ride to Grand Central Terminal.
Scarsdale
Known for its Old English air, Scarsdale provides buyers with a tight-knit community, vibrant arts scene, and luxurious single family homes ranging from late Victorian to Tudor to Gothic Revival styles.
Founded in 1701, Scarsdale slowly transformed into one of Westchester’s highly sought-after real estate destinations. Scarsdale has plenty of mom-and-pop shops. And residents frequently visit the 65-year-old local favorite Galloway’s Bakery and the boutique Bronx River Books.
A commute from Grand Central via the Harlem Line on the Metro-North can take 35 to 50 minutes from New York City to Scarsdale. The train station exits into the bustling downtown district, under the staggeringly tall Harwood Building.
This rustic English-style masterpiece is resplendent with turrets and towers reminiscent of old English towns. The building houses a selection of shops and local eateries you can check out while downtown.
From there, you can follow along Garth road, which winds along the Bronx River, providing tons of dining options.
Bedford
If your dream is to blend with nature and enjoy a heart-warming farm town feel, then Bedford might be an option for you. Composed of three distinct hamlets, Bedford Village, Katonah, and Bedford Hills, this Westchester town is among the greenest, featuring a wealth of trails, lakes, outdoor activities, and sprawling green valleys.
Residents move here to escape the fast pace of the city to give themselves time for outdoor life. But homebuyers looking into Bedford will also find all they need in the business districts of Bedford Village and Bedford Hills while enjoying access to the hiking trails nearby in Indian Hill or the Beaver Dam Reserve.
Residents founded this farm-filled haven in the mid-1600s, and the town of Bedford fiercely protects the rustic charm of the land. Those looking for a home here can expect to peruse many Colonial and Victorian style estates, each with ample acreage and lots, front porches, and all with immediate access to the great outdoors.
Homebuyers looking into one of Westchester’s greenest towns can expect a commute to New York City of about an hour via Interstate 684. Metro-North services Bedford via the Harlem Line, offering a ride of around an hour and fifteen minutes to Grand Central Terminal.
Larchmont
Boasting a stunning shoreline complete with a yacht club, Larchmont is one of the most desirable places to live in Westchester County. Commuters have the convenience of hopping onto the Metro North’s New Haven Line and arriving at Grand Central in around 30 minutes if taking an express train, while proximity to I-95 provides drivers with easy access for the daily commute.
This vibrant and colorful village is a part of Mamaroneck, a town in the eastern part of Westchester. Explored by the Dutch in 1614, the 1.1-square-mile area offers homebuyers the chance to purchase spacious houses with ample yard space, with styles ranging from Tudor, Victorian, and Colonial, as well as a multitude of condos and split-level homes.
Larchmont features a sun-soaked waterfront, offering residents summer activities like sailing, kayaking, and swimming. Those looking for time outdoors can check out the sights of the Leatherstocking trail. Residents can head up Boston Post Road, where boutiques, eateries, and shops line the streets.
The Larchmont’s Arts Festival brings the art scene to life, with live music performances at Constitution Park and Manor Park.
Rye
Just a few miles northeast of Larchmont sits another coastal paradise. The City of Rye shares its name with the town of Rye, which has a much larger landmass. The city offers coastal living and provides a welcoming and vibrant nightlife.
Marinas and beaches dot 14 miles of coastline, all packed with summer activities. The same shoreline is home to Rye’s very own Art Deco amusement park, Playland, home to one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world.
Those who love golfing can enjoy Rye’s very own golf club with an 18-hole course, while those who lean more towards time in the water can have access to the Boat Basin, which offers 415 slips for boats.
Your home search here will depend on location. The priciest offerings are on the waterfront, as well as colonials in excellent condition on large acreage. Homebuyers will want to check out the popular Greenhaven, with its own two beaches, and Indian Village, which boasts a wealth of old tree-filled streets and colonial houses.
Irvington
On the other side of Westchester County is Irvington. The ideal setting right on the Hudson River and proximity of just 20 miles to midtown Manhattan make this one of the most desirable "commuter towns" in the County.
Named after Washington Irving, author of Sleepy Hollow, the picturesque village is in Greenburgh. Main Street, the cornerstone of Irvington’s shops and restaurants, has over 200 buildings built during the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. The local government made many of the streets a part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Homebuyers can expect to tour luxurious colonials with expansive land, none lacking in stunning views and outdoor splendor. There are also grander estates that rest more towards the outskirts of the village. A diverse food scene features Cantonese, Greek, Indian, and Texan food, while local bakeries and shops abound within the Main Street area.
Head down to the Scenic Hudson Park for a gorgeous view of the city or explore over 400 acres of the Irvington Woods to bask in nature. If you’re feeling like a night out, the Irvington Theater Hall offers Shakespeare productions, live music performances, and various shows.
Briarcliff Manor
Just 8 miles north of Irvington is another village offering coveted access to the Hudson waterfront. Straddling the towns of Ossining and Mount Pleasant, Briarcliff Manor is a residential oasis full of signature Westchester greenery, picturesque streets, and lavish estates overlooking the Hudson River.
Briarcliff Manor is home to the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and the Trump National Golf Club. With a charming terrain full of greenery and low hills, homebuyers can choose from ranches and colonials, the most desirable ones offering stunning views of the river.
A trip to Village Hill, the local center for dining and shopping, gives prospective residents a glimpse into the tight-knit community life within the village. Most shops and eateries are locally owned, and many are staples amongst the locals.
Briarcliff Manor provides an easy commute to Midtown Manhattan that is just under an hour via the Hudson Line on the Metro-North. Homebuyers can also look forward to the many parks and trails, such as the Pocantico Lake County Park.
Homes for sale in Briarcliff Manor
Chappaqua
The hamlet of Chappaqua follows Westchester tradition by offering homebuyers a rural dreamland of green spaces and colonial estates.
Situated east of Briarcliff Manor, Chappaqua offers a convenient hour commute to Midtown Manhattan. The hamlet is part of the town of New Castle and has a population of just under 1,500 people.
There is an eclectic array of mom-and-pop shops, and the dining scene adheres to a farm-to-table ethos where local produce and farm-fresh ingredients are the staples. Every Saturday, a neighborhood farmers market is available with a curated selection of the best local farms.
Residents can spend time in the 126-acre Gedney Park or partake in swimming and sports at the Chappaqua Swimming and Tennis Club.
Homebuyers who take their search to this Westchester gem will find a rich housing stock. The 20th-century colonials sit on large acreages more towards the outskirts of the hamlet. The Chappaqua Crossing, a retail village built at the one-time campus of Reader’s Digest, will soon offer over 90 Georgian style townhomes.
Armonk
With a landscape of rolling hills, a dynamic Main Street with a local ski and bicycle shop, and a bakery with the best doughnuts in town, Armonk is steadily resurging as one of the best places to live in Westchester County.
Bordered by Connecticut to the east, Armonk is one of three hamlets within North Castle and has a modest population of just under 5,000.
Pockets of beauty are prevalent throughout the forest-filled hamlet. Thick-trunk trees dot numerous open valleys and offer an idyllic retreat for potential homebuyers looking for the ideal suburban lifestyle. Homebuyers can choose from sprawling colonials with sizable acreage, or 1960s-style, split-level ranches.
If you’re interested in moving here, expect a 10-minute drive to the nearby North White Plains Metro-North station, which delivers commuters to Midtown Manhattan in under an hour.
Residents enjoy a vibrant art scene, with the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show drawing in artists from the entire nation to display their work. Food lovers can find satisfaction in local eateries like Fortina, which offers wood-fired Neapolitan style pies, and at DeCicco’s, a local grocer with a two-floor place featuring a craft beer bar.
Tarrytown
Situated on the Hudson River, Tarrytown has a historical richness that rivals many other affluent Westchester suburbs. A neighbor to Irvington, Tarrytown is located in Greenburgh and has a population under 12,000. It's chic and vibrant downtown and stunning river views put it on the map as one of the best locations in Westchester for homebuyers seeking the peace and calm of the nature-coated suburbs.
Tarrytown offers an easy commute to New York City of just over half an hour, thanks to the Metro-North’s Hudson line. But potential residents might find themselves staying within the village for their daily helping of cultural life and dining options.
Tarrytown Music Hall features high-profile performances year-round, and with the pandemic easing up, the venue will be making a comeback. The eateries of Tarrytown deliver a spectrum of mouth-watering options, from homemade tacos at the Taco Project to My Tokyo, which offers hibachi and sushi.
Homebuyers looking for a home here can choose from riverside condos or brownstones. And there are also expansive Victorian and Tudor-style estates, both modern and 19th century.
