Monsey

The beauty of Monsey is not found just in its rolling hills and marshes. The fabric of the area is more than old farms, views of a distant Manhattan skyline and a rich Hudson Valley history. Monsey is a community of people, many of whom share a common heritage, food traditions, language and religion. The area was little more than a one-stoplight town until the early 1950s, when housing prices started to skyrocket in New York City and families began leaving the city’s urban boroughs in search of affordable and quiet rural neighborhoods. Today, Monsey is home to scores of synagogues and kosher food stores.

The hamlet is about 30 miles northwest of Lower Manhattan. There are several transportation options to New York City that have enabled Monsey to continue to grow. Many interstate and state highways like Palisades Parkway connect the two destinations. Buses and trains run regularly. LaGuardia Airport is 35 miles from Monsey and John F. Kennedy Airport is 48 miles.

“Monsey used to feel like a small hamlet, but today it’s a much bigger town. There are a lot more people,” says Naomi Streicher, a Realtor with Q Home Sales, who grew up in the neighborhood. There’s a growing demand to live in town, especially for people who don’t drive. “If you live near the center of Monsey, you don’t need a car,” she says. The ever-increasing number of town houses, condos and other multi-family units seems to confirm that. Home prices vary widely in Monsey. A one-bedroom, one-bath condominium near the heart of Monsey sells for about $224,000. A large colonial, complete with gold-plated plumbing fixtures on two-thirds of an acre, sells for $3 million. Housing styles are as varied as their pricing. The entire Hudson Valley has a diverse assortment of architectural designs, from clapboard farmhouses to ranch-styles. There’s even a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house outside Monsey. Most homes in town and in newer subdivisions have off-street parking and sidewalks.

Margetts Elementary School, which has a C-minus rating from Niche, has a student body of 578. The school focuses on small class sizes and individual attention. Chestnut Ridge Middle School is also rated C-minus and is a member of the International Baccalaureate Programme, which works to develop internationally minded students. Spring Valley High School has a C-plus rating from Niche.

Monsey’s parks and recreation department works hard to provide residents with activities and events. The neighborhood has more than 300 acres of town parks and recreation facilities. Manny Welder Park has lighted tennis and handball courts, four sports fields and a playground. The 30-acre Reisman Sports Complex’s amenities include ball fields and volleyball, tennis and basketball courts. When one is not playing sports, it’s easy to experience farm life in the heart of Monsey. West Maple Farm sits on 15 acres of farmland that allows visitors hands-on experience such as picking fresh blueberries and vegetables, feeding chickens and visiting with cows, sheep, and other farm animals. Demarest Farm is a local family-owned farm that allows visitors to pick their own peaches and apples. The farm gives tractor rides and has a petting zoo and play area.

Monsey has many shopping options for even the most discerning consumer. “Main Street is no longer a quiet little strip. Now you can get almost everything you need there or at one of the nearby shopping centers in Monsey,” Realtor Streicher says. The Shoppers Haven Mall, just off Main Street, has more than 20 shops and services, including Rockland Kosher Supermarket, which carries essential groceries and more. S&W Ladies Wear offers the latest fashions at up to 90 percent off retail price. Weingarten Shoes sells quality footwear and has been in business for 40 years. For those who seek larger retail venues, there is a Costco Wholesale 3 miles away in nearby Nanuet and a Walmart Supercenter 4 miles north in Suffern.

After shopping, stroll down Main Street to the Monsey BBQ and Grill. Serving everything from chicken to steak to lamb, the owners promise to satisfy even the biggest appetites with their delicious kosher recipes. In the mood for Italian? Enjoy homemade gnocchi or salmon teriyaki sandwich at nearby Primavera Italian restaurant.

Photography Contributed By

Elma Kukaj

Video By

Paris Lape