Welcome to Scarsdale
Listed in Forbes’s “America’s Top 10 Most Affluent Neighborhoods,” Scarsdale is a town in Southern Westchester County, known for its beautiful architecture, sense if community and a top-rated school district. Scarsdale’s size makes it large enough to be a town, but the community chooses to operate as a village to better suit its pleasant lifestyle.
Residents and small businesses have long thrived in the area thanks to Scarsdale’s iconic and pedestrian-friendly downtown district. Many residents find it easy to walk to and from their homes to downtown, the library, and the local train station. It’s the perfect little woodland village for anyone looking to move away from the city but still enjoy an easy commute to New York City.
The History of Scarsdale
Scarsdale was named after the ancestral home of Caleb Heathcote, a rich tradesman from England, in the late 1600’s. It didn’t officially become a town until 1788. Like its green and rocky English home overseas, the name was a perfect fit for the village. Highlights from its history make it known as a site of a great battle in the Revolutionary War. This historic moment became the inspiration for James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, The Spy.
The woodsy village sits enclosed on a little more than 6.6 square miles of land with over 17 major developments. It has an estimated population of about 17,900 residents. Some of America’s greatest artists, politicians, and media performers have called Scarsdale home. Linda Eastman McCartney, Judy Garland, and Dean Rusk are only a few of nearly a hundred famous individuals who have called Scarsdale home.
Scarsdale Union-Free School District
Scarsdale’s public school district claims one of the highest standards for K-12 education. The curriculum focuses on facilitating the individual talents of each student and preparing them for the emerging forces in the world today. Scarsdale’s five elementary schools, middle school, and high school specialize in promoting students’ independent growth, leadership, and self-expression.
Elementary Schools (Grades K-4):
- Edgewood Elementary School
- Fox Meadow Elementary School
- Greenacres Elementary School
- Heathcote Elementary School
- Quaker Ridge Elementary School
Middle Schools (Grades 5-8):
High School (Grades 9-12):
Enrollment in the district remains stable at about 4,900 students with an average class size of about 20 students. The Scarsdale school district has a 97% graduation rate thanks to having some of the most skilled educators in the area. The community is blessed with an abundance of educational resources and learning centers to place its young people competitively amongst some of the nation’s brightest students.
Families find the local schools to be not only rigorous but practical as they blend traditional and innovative teaching practices. Some extracurricular activities available to Scarsdale students are debate, community service, student government, and a variety of sports teams.
Scarsdale Commute Times to the City & The Scarsdale Train Station
One of Scarsdael greatest draws is it’s location easy & quick commute to Manhattan. The Metro North Harlem Line Train from the Scarsdale Train Station makes the 19 mile commute to Grand Central quick and easy. The trip to Grand Central takes about 30 minutes via the express train and round trip tickets cost $24.50 each. Monthly passes are available at $268.00 for those who plan to commute regularly.
Some residents who live in the north and east parts of Scarsdale opt to use the Hartsdale train station. The commute is lengthened by about 3 minutes from that stop. Some residents are fortunate enough to close to the train station and opt to walk. However, if parking is needed, permits can be bought annually for garage parking in either the Freightway Garage (485 spaces) or the Christie Place Garage(240 spaces). Annual permits cost $1,000 or $1,500 respectively for residents and non -residents. The remaining 77 spaces are metered. There is also Beeline Bus Service that offers another convenient transportation alternative.
Places to See and Things to Do in Scarsdale
Scarsdale is known for being a walking-friendly community. Residents enjoy the luxury of going by foot from their homes to some of the area’s attractions, which include the beautiful Tudor-style downtown area. With its own swimming complex, nature parks and trails, and upscale boutiques and recreational centers, it’s easy to find something that everyone can enjoy.
The nearby Eastchester area offers a myriad of shopping opportunities as well as access to Lake Isle for many outdoor pursuits. There’s always something going on in this village tucked away in the heart of Westchester County. The Scarsdale Teen Center is responsible for putting together community events and programming year-round. It has two planning committees that work together and on their own to keep the community engaged and lively for everyone. There’s also the Scarsdale and Edgemont New Resident’s club that sponsors popular annual events such as Oktober Fest, Holiday parties, and much more with a focus on engaging residents new and old.
If you’re new to the area, here are some places that are highly recommended for you:
- Moscato A well known Scarsdale restaurant that serves the fine Italian cuisine . It features a casual yet stylish décor with outdoor seating available. A great place for date nights or nights on the town.
- The Bronx River Walks A 19 mile-long linear park running between the Bronx and the Kensico Dam. It’s one of the longest parks in the nation and runs parallel to the Bronx River. The paved trails are a favorite for walkers, runners, and bikers.
- The Weinberg Nature Center This 10-acre nature center features a Native American village, hiking trails, fruit orchard, and its very own Zen Garden. It’s home to a vast population of woodland creatures and is especially known as a sanctuary for birds.
- Cudner-Hyatt House A 18th century building and one of Scarsdale’s oldest structures. It’s a favorite for history buffs and houses various documents, photographs, and artifacts relating to Scarsdale’s extensive history.
