Along the banks of the Byram River and about 33 miles from New York City, Port Chester is an older village that’s going through a renaissance. “People are catching on to the commutability and affordability compared to New York City,” says Kori Sassower, a broker with Compass Greater New York who’s been serving the area for over a decade. “So Port Chester is growing really fast. Developers are coming in to build new rentals, and they’re totaling redoing Main Street.” Factories and warehouses leftover from Port Chester’s tenure as an industrial village have been turned into residential buildings, and single-family houses pack gridded streets. Situated on the border of Greenwich, Connecticut, the New York village has more cultural and ethnic diversity than its more affluent northern neighbor, as about 62 percent of the population was Hispanic in 2023. A commuter train station, a developing Main Street and varied restaurant and shopping options make Port Chester a dynamic Westchester County village.
Port Chester is an older village that’s going through a renaissance.
Main Street in Port Chester is a lively hub with many retail options.
Restaurants such as Rinconcito Salvadoreño reflect the ethnic diversity of Port Chester.
Locals enjoy access to a variety of parks as well as the Byram River in Port Chester.
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Eateries along North Main Street
Downtown Port Chester is a walkable hub of diverse restaurants, many of which reflect the village’s large Hispanic community. El Tio is a casual Mexican restaurant, and Don Lucho serves Ecuadorian dishes like hornado. Along the Byram River, there’s trendy Mexican eatery Bartaco and Colony Grill, a regional pizza restaurant specializing in thin-crust pies. For groceries, there’s Costco, and further options at the Gateway Shopping Center. The popular retail area has a Target and Whole Foods. Shoppers also browse J. Crew Factory, Kohl's, Ulta Beauty and Home Depot. The nearest medical center is over the Connecticut border; Greenwich Hospital is about 3 miles northeast of Port Chester.
Residents can savor authentic Ecuadorian flavors at Don Lucho in Port Chester.
Colony Grill, a restaurant known for thin-crust pies, is on the riverfront in Port Chester.
The Waterfront complex in Port Chester features a movie theater plus Stop & Shop and Costco.
The Gateway Shopping Center is a popular retail area that inlcudes a Whole Foods.
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Art shows, community runs and a historic rock venue
The historic Capitol Theatre, an ornate property built in 1926 that hosted rock legends like Pink Floyd and Janis Joplin in the 1960s, is a popular concert venue downtown. “The theater is iconic. It draws great bands, and people will even come from New York City to go to shows there,” Sassower says. Community art organizations, like the non-profit Clay Art Center and Neptune in June, host art classes and exhibits. Both groups participate in the annual art festival, where community members enjoy drop-in dance, clay, and jewelry-making classes and peruse exhibits filled with local artists’ work. The village of Port Chester also organizes free community events, like summer concerts at Lyon Park. “One of the biggest events of the year is the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. So it’s a very active community,” Sassower says.
Port Chester's historic Capitol Theatre has hosted rock legends such as Pink Floyd.
Community organizations, like the non-profit Clay Art Center, host classes in Port Chester.
Seasonal events such as live music in parks happen throughout the year in Port Chester.
One of the biggest events of the year in Port Chester is the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.
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Condos and Colonial Revivals
Slightly lower housing prices encourage buyers relocating from New York City to look to Port Chester. The median home listing price in Port Chester was about $590,000 in 2024, lower than Westchester County’s median of $725,000 and the state-wide median of $650,000. Large condo buildings are interspersed between single-family houses on small lots. “It’s definitely a suburban-meets-urban feel,” Sassower says. “Which is what a lot of people love about it.” Condo units appeal to buyers looking for a more city-like energy, with prices ranging from $100,000 to $600,000. Classic 20th-century homes, such as Colonial Revivals, ranch styles and bungalows, make up the single-family housing inventory. Most are priced between $500,000 and $1 million.
Large condo buildings are interspersed between single-family houses in Port Chester.
You will also find trendy downtown apartment buildings in Port Chester.
Classic 20th-century homes, such as this Bungalow, are common in Port Chester.
Single-family homes such as this ranch style house start at $500,000 in Port Chester.
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College courses at Port Chester High
The Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District, which has about 4,500 students, earns an overall B-minus rating from Niche. The district has four elementary schools, one middle school and a high school; Port Chester High School offers college-level classes through Westchester Community College and SUNY Oneonta. Notably, the district doesn’t have a school bus system, though transportation is provided for students living more than 2 miles from their designated elementary or middle school and 3 miles from the high school. “Kids will walk or bike to school a lot of the time, though, since most live close to the schools,” Sassower says.
King Street Elementary School is one of four elementary schools in Port Chester.
John F Kennedy Magnet School is a sought after elementary school in Port Chester.
Port Chester has one middle school and the district is rated B-minus by Niche.
Port Chester High School offers college-level classes through Westchester Community College.
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Public parks in Port Chester
Port Chester’s pocket parks offer opportunities for residents to spend time outside, playing pickup basketball games or taking their kids to the playground. Joseph Curtis Recreation Park has a baseball diamond, bocce courts and a small playground. Across the street, locals gather at Lyon Park, a large stretch of green space filled with mature trees, benches, short walking paths and a bigger playground. Pet owners hang out at Abendroth Park, where they’ll find Port Chester’s only dog park and a covered picnic area. Boaters enjoy access to the Byram River, launching watercraft from Port Chester Marina or Port Chester Yacht Club and head south to the Long Island Sound. Port Chester experiences all four seasons, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Joseph Curtis Recreation Park has a baseball diamond, bocce courts and a small playground.
Pet owners hang out at Abendroth Park, where they’ll find Port Chester’s only dog park.
Lyon Park is a large stretch of green space filled with mature trees, benches, and paths.
The Byram River offers peaceful views and access to the Long Island Sound for boaters.
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Commuter rails, local employers in Port Chester
Interstates 95 and 287 run through Port Chester, offering drivers routes to Long Island or New York City. Many opt to park and ride at the local commuter rail stop, however. Commuters board the New Haven line on the Metro-North railroad at the downtown station; the train takes about an hour to reach Grand Central Terminal. To get around more locally, there’s the Bee-Line public bus system, operated by Westchester County. For longer trips, the Westchester County Airport is 6 miles from Port Chester, offering passenger flights to a few domestic locations, like Washington, D.C. and Orlando. LaGuardia Airport is the closest international airport, located 25 miles southwest.
Commercial bakeries like Neri’s and J.J. Cassone are major employers in the area. Locally, many residents also work as childcare providers, landscapers, and house cleaners for clients in the affluent nearby towns of Fairfield County, like Greenwich and Darien. Many also commute to New York City for work.
Crime rates in Port Chester
In 2023, 60 violent crimes and 328 property crimes were reported in Port Chester. The number of violent crimes reported increased, as 43 were reported in 2022. However, the number of property crimes reported remained the same; 329 were reported in 2022.
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