Riverdale?

Riverdale is WONDERFUL ... we moved up from Manhattan almost two years ago. It's a 20 minute drive to 86th Street, terrific schools, terrific takeout, some nice shops. Access to Manhattan is easy - express bus is $5, you can take the regular bus to the #1 subway, or Metro North (22 mins to GCT). Lots of apartments have river views, and the price is right! We live in Spuyten Duyvil but all areas are great. I am actually a broker and would be happy to explain more, so email me at rebecca@gshermanrealty.com if you want to know more.

Hi Rebecca, I couldn't agree more. I was in Riverdale last week and I thought how quiet and well kept the neighborhood is and was. Prices are very affordable as compared to Manhattan so you might be hearing from me in the future.

Jocoru, it's very close by car or train.

not for the young. you're friends will never visit you again. if you don't care about that go for it. it's very pretty up there. the economy has forced a lot of the smaller shops in the area to close as well.

I like Riverdale. I grew up there and most of my family is still there. That said, it isn't a panacea.

While the food is good, it is not Manhattan good. And the schools on the elementary school level are much better than average but not as good as the better Manhattan schools. The Academy is an improvement from the days when it was a middle school for the greater area and the local kids had to go to JFK for high school, but it is not a great school and the best students will still be going either to a private school or Bx Science.

There is no 86th st. exit on the HH Pkwy, but the drives, when not rush hour is short (I would say as low as 12 minutes to UWS, but then you have to find parking. Also something I know about as I have a car in the city).

Almost all of Riverdale is families or octogenarians. THE VIEWS ARE BEAUTIFUL, and there are a lot of apartments with one. Prices have also tripled there in the last 10 years, and though not likely to come down quickly (RE there moves much slower than in the city) they are relatively cheap.

Depending on where you live you will probably have to make a trade off between manhattan-like walkable distances and the views. But there are always a few stores within a 10-15 minute walk.

As usual, there are pros and cons. If you want cheaper prices with a more Manhattan-like lifestyle try Washington Heights.