Armonk, Pleasantville, Bedford and Pound Ridge along with the surrounding communities of Mt. Kisco, Chappaqua and Katonah offer comfortable suburban living with convenient access to New York City, White Plains, Ridgefield, Stamford, New Canaan, Danbury and Greenwich. The area offers an excellent mix of thriving business areas and natural beauty, including easy access to the Hudson Valley with its beautiful views of the Hudson River.
Many styles of housing exist in the area; predominantly there are single-family residences. There is also a selection of condos, new construction, homeowner?s associations and some limited rental housing.
Almost rural in nature, yet sophisticated in style, Armonk offers itself as a bridge between city life and country living. Winding roads lined with old stonewalls meander through densely wooded glades and climb to beautiful rock cropped retreats giving way to majestic views. This restful atmosphere completely belies its convenient location to all the major sources of corporate employment and transportation. There are excellent restaurants here as well as two thriving small town business districts including a ski & bike shop, a Hallmark card shop, custom coffee shop, hair salons, and boutique clothing shops for kids, teens and adults. North Castle is known for its large tax base with so many large corporations, such as IBM world headquarters, as well as office buildings tucked away from the residential areas. Because of this, the taxes are somewhat lower than neighboring towns.
New luxury developments are currently being built and include 5 to 8,000 sq. foot homes. There are plenty of contemporaries in this town, especially in the Whippoorwill neighborhood, as well as some wonderful colonials and split-level homes. The Frank Lloyd Wright community of Usonia, located in Mt. Pleasant, but served by the Armonk Schools, is here. The Estates and Heritage Court also in Mt. Pleasant are homes built within a community neighborhood with easy access to the train stations of North White Plains and Hawthorne. They are connected with the Armonk School District.
The Wippoorwill neighborhood boasts a golf/country club, lovely homes some of which were built during the depression. It is 5 minutes from downtown Armonk and approximately 7-8 miles to the train.
Windmill Farm is a unique neighborhood of homes on 1 to 1.5 acre parcels with potential membership in a community lake and tennis club. Another neighborhood known as Yale Farm has lovely tree lined streets and easy access to Interstate 684. A younger development of homeowner associations has sprung up in Armonk over the recent years. These communities typically feature a community pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts with shared community spaces. Some of the residences are large single-family homes. Others are med-sized, attached homes with separated entrances. These properties have great appeal to empty nesters as well as young families, due to the community maintenance plans for landscape care and snow removal. It?s a turnkey style of living. In town, there is a good selection of well-maintained older homes on Rockwell-esque roads and neighborhoods. There are also several regular, family friendly neighborhoods scattered throughout Armonk and Mt. Pleasant adding to a wonderful small town atmosphere.
With its small-town feel and neo-colonial buildings, Mount Kisco could be called quaint. But it is not so much its quaintness as its shopping, that draws people from all over northern Westchester. Downtown boasts a central business district with shops such as GAP, Banana Republic, Chico's, Starbucks, etc. Mt. Kisco also boasts an in town railroad station as well as a hospital. There are many good restaurants and a 5-screen movie theater. The Mt. Kisco Diner is open 24 hours a day to the delight of local teenagers. By the way, Bedford Corners is in the municipality of Mt. Kisco. They even share the same zip code.
------------------------------------------------
Pleasantville is a small village located between Armonk and Briarcliff Manor. One of the main attractions is the in town location of a train station. There are several street with beautifully restored Victorian homes. Pleasantville schools are highly rated.
Bedford and Pound Ridge are definitely a different feel altogether!
Bedford is slightly further north and east; there is a gentle, rural atmosphere in this area. Life is taken a bit slower perhaps. There is a large amount of history in the area and most of the homes and buildings are in wonderful condition including an historic courthouse and stone schoolhouse. There are many period and antique homes as well as casual (and serious) horse properties. There is a riding association as well with over 325 miles of trails. (See link under Local Information). This accounts for the numerous dirt roads allowing the horses a gentler walk as well as decreasing the noise and speed of the cars on local side roads. There are several celebrity residents here who prefer the large, secluded estates and farms; however, most of the people live and enjoy the less hectic, yet family friendly areas.
Pound Ridge is known for its natural beauty and solitude. Many people buy homes here as a weekend get away home from the city. Marked with softly rolling hills, Pound Ridge is located right next to the Ridgefield and New Canaan, CT. Delightful scenic effects are created by its neat stonewalls and wood fences crisscrossing the land, and its many lakes, ponds and rugged rock outcroppings. A community with pride and privacy...for those who enjoy the involvement of small town life...or the peacefulness of a true country retreat. There are some spectacular contemporary homes here as well as old-fashioned country homes.
Whether you are a newcomer, or a long time resident, you are sure to find interesting places to visit and things to do with a short drive. Under LOCAL INFORMATION, I have a list of places and links for you to explore!
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
