Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, Joan Drive is a wonderful street to raise a family. It was one of the original postwar developments of Stuart L. Bradley who also created Bradley Farms and Quaker Village.
Joan Drive is home to the Seltzer family. Emily, who works in talent acquisition, Eric, an attorney and their children Dylan, age 8 and Olivia, age 5 moved to Joan Drive from New York City in August 2016. After many years of city living, the Seltzers were looking for more space for the kids to play. They settled in Chappaqua for a myriad of reasons including its excellent schools and strong sense of community. Emily grew up in town, so coming back made sense. “I had a very positive experience so it felt easy to come back.”
It was also easy for the family to fall in love with the neighborhood. “I remember driving down Joan Drive to see the house. I was struck by how open, bright and spacious the street was – it really has a neighborhood feel,” says Emily. The fact that Joan Drive is a cul-de-sac with no real through-traffic makes it a very quiet and safe place, especially for neighborhood kids looking to ride their bikes and scooters.
The Seltzer family enjoys everything the area has to offer, always seeking out local events and activities such as the Chappaqua Farmers Market, Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and the open house at the Chappaqua Firehouse. The family also recently discovered the Pruyn Sanctuary, a bucolic, hidden gem right across from Joan Drive.
“Families on our block trade off on hosting parties for different holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s, as well as many impromptu BBQs and pool parties,” says Emily. Joan Drive is also fun for trick-or-treating, with many of the elementary school children going together. There is a close-knit feel to the community, with childhood peers raising their own families in the area now as well. As Emily says, “I feel lucky to have such great neighbors.”
