We turned to the Chappaqua Moms forum on Facebook to ask what “sold” current residents on our town and to share reasons a prospective home buyer might also want to choose the greater New Castle area as a wonderful place to choose to raise their family. Great schools, a sense of security, a convenient commute with easy parking and compassionate, caring neighbors were recurring themes. Here, just some of the answers we received:
When we moved here, we were coming from out of state and knew nothing of Westchester. We started our search based on school rankings and needing to be on a train line that went through White plains. When we were looking at houses in Chappaqua…I was amazed at the people who were so open and welcoming and loved talking about their town….the feeling of living on a forest with wildlife all around us sealed the deal.
–Parke Anderson
Great schools with a reasonable commute into the city and getting more house, more property and more privacy for the same money as lower Westchester. I also love that we are a generous and compassionate community.
–Ann Styles Brochstein
I had infant twins and we were living in a tiny two bedroom cottage in Nyack. Something had to give. We started looking at towns in Westchester because of the train line. My sister was living in Chappaqua and I knew the schools were excellent. One weekend I had set up some time to take a look at homes in New Castle. I had the enormous double stroller and I was standing on King Street on a beautiful fall day. There were many people gathered. All of a sudden this parade starts. Tons of the cutest kids ever were marching in all sorts of costumes. There were princesses, lions, firefighters, superheroes, vampires and so on. Once I saw the Ragamuffin parade, I knew this was the town for us. My kids have not marched in that parade for years, but the memories remain.
–Ellen Davis
It is the closest you can get to living in the country while still being within commuting distance to NYC. We feel like our home is vacation. Why go to the Berkshires when you can stay in your backyard? Also it really is the best bang for your buck if you are looking for a larger lot. You can’t get as much land for the price unless you go farther north.
–Jennifer Neuren
Schools. Still reasonable commute to Manhattan. The beauty of the area. The people.
–Jonathan Birenbaum
I heard that the merchants know you by name, the town is hilly, the area bucolic and the schools are good. I had a memory of visiting my Dad’s business colleague when I was a teenager, the house on Spring Lane and Quaker Road. I remembered it was on a hill and the architecture so interesting…like a storybook home. So when my husband brought up Chappaqua because he had a colleague too who lived here, with the prior image etched in my mind, I jumped at the suggestion.
–Barbara Fine Buxbaum
We came for the schools, the bucolic setting and the commute. Stayed after kids finished Greeley…for the people!
–Emily Haft Bloom
We were looking for good schools, larger lot size and better values, and it felt more country than suburbs to us. –Joan Sepler Close commute to NYC, NJ, and CT. Not far from New England…it’s quiet, peaceful, secluded…more spacious than lower Westchester.
–John Nadler
I commute daily and we have two young kids so we were looking to live closer; however, nowhere felt as country-like. It is beautiful up here, a great break from the city and much less congested than many towns we looked at. We figured if we were moving to the ‘burbs, we wanted it to look and feel like the burbs.
–Amy Luparella Boyle
Schools and beautiful setting. I love Chappaqua!
–Marianna Piedra
Schools and trains. We’re a terminus and a first stop.
–Melissa Kapper Zuckerman
Schools….Less of a “rat race” than Southern Westchester. –Harriet Stillman Helfenbein We are living in a beautiful part of the country, and enjoy seeing all the wildlife we have here. It’s also a safe place to live…There are many offerings for children and adults through the rec department. I could go on and on.
–Pam Percus Rosman
I love the sense of community, the caring and sharing both within and beyond the New Castle borders, the willingness of the many and multi-talented residents to pitch in at a moment’s notice.
–Eileen Gallagher
I love that we come together to help those in need, people we don’t even know–whatever the case may be.
–Georgia Hobaica Frasch
I love the sense of community and outreach that makes us who we are.
–Beth Wagshul Besen
I love the memories I have with my children playing at “police man park” and sitting by “The Duck Pond”–two New Castle landmarks, even if the kids have changed the names a bit. I really do love New Castle. It’s made this Bronx girl feel very much loved and at home.
–Rita Madonna Santella
The Bell School (the architecture) made a terrific impression as I drove into town…I wanted to learn more. I thought the downtown was adorable, and I loved the Pocket Park.
–Leslie Pierson
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, provides quality, patient centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment.
Located on the former campus of Reader’s Digest on Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua Crossing has already become a destination offering vital amenities with a certain cachet–a healthy lifestyle. To that end, the town has mandated that 20 percent of retail space be dedicated to health and wellness. The anchor store (crown jewel is no exaggeration!) will be a 40,000 square foot Whole Foods. This enterprise will provide the touch of sophistication that caters to foodies and busy families.
Throughout the night, the “bodaciously awesome” band, whose show came complete with 80s wigs, glow necklaces, and a smoke machine, offered up such favorites as “Material Girl,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” and more of the decade’s best.
“We’re especially touched to learn that [the] event supported a wonderful charity,” said Gibson, on the subject. “We think the students who spoke in front of the crowd are the true rock stars.”