Bedford Hills is a historic rail-town retreat for New Yorkers
Founded in 1847 as a railroad town, Bedford Hills continues to serve as a commuter link between New York City and the rest of semi-rural Westchester County. “There’s a little bit of everything there – car dealers, restaurants and shopping,” says Peter Raider, an associate real estate broker with Real Broker NY who has extensive experience selling in Westchester. “All of these communities have everything that they need in order to be self-supporting and self-sustaining.” 3,200 people call the hamlet home, many of them employees at local masonry and manufacturing companies, New York commuters or celebrities looking for a semi-rural retreat. “Bedford Hills is not as rural as Bedford proper, but you really start to get more of that northern Westchester feel up there - bigger lots, a little bit farther away from everything,” Raider says.
Fox Lane High cultivates future leaders through extracurriculars
Students can attend Bedford Hills Elementary School, Fox Lane Middle School and Fox Lane High School, each of which receive A-minus ratings from Niche. Counting a federal judge and White House Press Secretary among its alumni, Fox Lane also offers aspiring leaders opportunities to participate in a Model Congress, Debate Society and several student government clubs.
A limited housing stock inclludes townhouses and Colonial Revivals
Bedford Hills’ residential streets branch off from the Saw Mill River Parkway and neighboring major roads. Homes may sit along hillsides or level streets, most of which have sidewalks. Townhouses built from the 1980s to the 1990s have sold for between $480,000 and $520,000, while Colonial Revival homes built in the first half of the 20th century go for $550,000 to $920,000. Bedford Hills’ small size and compact layout contribute to a competitive inventory. “People are generally looking at every area right now that fits their needs, whether it’s schools, downsizing, upsizing or moving for work,” Raider says. “We’re still in the region, but we’re very tight on inventory.”
Adams Street is home to a handful of local eateries and delis
Commuters can stop at the Bedford Grab & Go Market and grab a bagel sandwich before crossing Adams Street to catch their morning train. Next door, Nino’s offers an intimate setting for Italian fine dining. Uphill, Br’ers BBQ is locally known for its protein-packed wraps and brisket sandwiches. The Bedford Diner, in business for over 50 years, serves short-order staples from the break of day until midnight just south of Bedford Hills. Neighboring Mount Kisco is home to the nearest ShopRite and Target.
Public parks and a private golf course offer outdoor activities
Bedford Hills Memorial Park is where the community gathers for outdoor activities. A playground shares a park with a pool, soccer field, basketball and tennis courts and baseball fields where the Bedford Hills Katonah Little League plays. Beaver Dam Park is frequented by hikers, dog-walkers and anglers due to its level trails and its location along the Stone Hill River. The private GlenArbor Golf Club and its 18-hole course occupy the site of a historic estate. Its clubhouse recreates the feel of a 1910s country retreat through its Art Deco-inspired dining rooms.
Important to know
Two women’s prisons – the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women and the Taconic Correctional Facility – are located within Bedford Hills. The hamlet receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 3 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Trains and highways lead to New York and nearby conveniences
The Bedford Hills station of the Metro-North Railroad directly links the hamlet to New York City’s Grand Central Station for just over an hour’s train ride. The Saw Mill River Parkway and successive highways take drivers into Midtown Manhattan within a 45-mile journey. Mount Kisco's Northern Westchester Hospital is a 3-mile drive away.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
Photography Contributed By
Franklin Abreu
