This bucolic Hudson Valley suburb mixes growth with preservation
Anchored by the Taconic State Parkway and a few miles east of the Hudson River, Yorktown is a New York City suburb surrounded by lush parks and highly rated schools. Originally called Hanover, the settlement was rebranded as Yorktown in 1788 to honor the patriots’ decisive victory over the British in the Virginian town of the same name several years prior. The town’s motto, “Progress with Preservation,” reflects twin interests in both development and historical protection, with established farms and vintage homes still dotting the area. Conversely, in recent years, new shopping plazas have been rolled out to accommodate a growing population. “It’s become incredibly popular," says Douglas Dill, an associate broker with Houlihan Lawrence Inc. "People love Yorktown because of the local businesses and parks, and the nearby reservoir makes the south side of Yorktown very bucolic,”
Yorktown is a New York City suburb surrounded by lush parks and highly rated schools.
Established farms such Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt are still common in Yorktown.
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Yorktown offers historic and contemporary homes, but most are midcentury
The median home price hovers around $600,000, fairly higher than the national median. “Houses run the gamut of styles in Yorktown. We have both homes built in the 1770s and new constructions if developers can find the land,” says Elizabeth Harlow, Realtor with Elizabeth Harlow, who has been selling properties for over a decade. “We’re seeing a lot of homes from the 1950s come on the market. Many need to be renovated, but people are hungry to live here, so they’re willing to take them on.”
Colonial Revivals, split-levels and ranch-style builds are among the most common. Neighborhoods like Cooper Beach-Oakside and Yorktown Heights are desirable for their proximity to commercial centers, while other neighborhoods to the south offer spacious lots. “ Hunterbrook-Huntersville has large 4-acre zoning and big estates. Some have personal horse farms,” says Dill, who has lived in Yorktown for over 40 years. Additionally, buyers can choose from townhouses and condo communities such as Jefferson Valley South ’s Jefferson Village.
The Hunterbrook-Huntsville neighborhood offers large estates with sizable lots.
Hilly blocks and winding subdivisions in Yorktown Heights are lined with single-family homes built from the mid-1900s through the 2020s.
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Local restaurants, farms and the Jefferson Valley Mall
Many of the town’s local shops and restaurants lie in Yorktown Heights in the southeast quarter of Yorktown. The north side of town has the two-story Jefferson Valley Mall. Additional shopping centers are in the Crompond neighborhood and just west of town. Hemlock Hill Farm & Market and Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm provide fresh meat, seasonal produce, plants and more, with the latter destination being popular for its seasonal pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm.
Local shops and restaurants such as Trailside Cafe fill Yorktown Heights.
On the north side of town, residents can shop at the two-story Jefferson Valley Mall.
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Taking the train or highway to New York City
As Yorktown is a bedroom community, many residents head elsewhere for work. “Before COVID, I would say one or two people out of any couple would commute to New York City,” Dill says. Other workers stick closer to home. “Over the past few years, Regeneron has hired over 2,000 employees,” Dill says. PepsiCo and IBM are other large employers in the area.
Many commuters take advantage of public transit to get into the Big Apple. “There’s a bus that goes over to the Croton train station, which has an incredible amount of parking. With other villages’ stations, you might have to wait months to get a parking permit,” Dill says. “Other people drive to the North White Plains station to commute half by car and half by train.” Via Taconic State Parkway, the city is roughly a 40-mile drive. This is usually a one-hour trip, but rush hour can slow traffic considerably.
Located about 20 miles south, Westchester County Airport offers commercial flights to select destinations east of the Mississippi. For more airlines, travelers can visit New York City’s airports. For health emergencies and routine check-ups, New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital to the west is within an 8-mile drive of most homes.
Many residents of Yorktown are employed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown.
New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital is within an 8-mile drive of most homes in Yorktown.
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Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve and other natural spaces
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park lies in the heart of Yorktown. Forested trails lead to a disc golf course and open fields for play. Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve to the south offers additional trails. “Turkey Mountain is one of the highest points in Westchester County. On a clear day, you can see the New York City skyline,” Dill says. The 22-mile North County Trailway runs by Yorktown to the east, passing through farms, forests and railway trestles. The New Croton Reservoir on the town’s south end is open for fishing and row boats.
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is great for outdoor activities and locals love its playground.
Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve offers hiking opportunities and scenic vistas.
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The Yorktown Grange Fair celebrates the town’s agricultural roots
Over 100 years and running, the Yorktown Grange Fair allows local farmers to showcase their goods, from produce to needlework. Visitors can also enjoy live music and watch or participate in watermelon eating contests, bubblegum blowing contests and other competitions. The festival typically lasts three days in early September. During Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy creative three-course lunches and dinners at various eateries across Westchester County. The event runs for two weeks in late October and early November. The Yorktown Grange Car Show takes place near the middle of June and showcases gas-powered vehicles from classic cars to vintage tractors.
Enjoy some great Italian food at Yorktown Feast of San Gennaro, one of many events taking place in Yorktown throughout the year.
The Yorktown Grange Car Show is held in June and features classic cars as well as antique tractors and farm equipment.
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Yorktown Central School District
The Yorktown Central School District runs five schools and receives an overall A from Niche. Starting in 2024, the district launched an American Sign Language program for middle and high school students interested in learning to sign. In early 2024, residents approved a $57 million bond to renovate campuses and add a multi-purpose turf to A-rated Yorktown High School.
Students from Yorktown can begin their education at Crompond Elementary, rated A by Niche.
The Yorktown High School offers a sprawling campus for students.
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Crime and climate in Yorktown
According to FBI crime statistics, violent crimes dropped by 50% between 2022 and 2023. Property crimes decreased by 7.4% over the same period. Yorktown experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are muggy while winters typically bring a few feet of snow.
Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Photography Contributed By
Jerome Strauss
Video By
Christine Tranchina
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