Thiells residents have access to nearby restaurants, shops and parks
Thiells residents don’t have to go far to fulfill their needs. The Rockland County community is part of the town of Haverstraw, and though the area itself is primarily residential, neighboring places have restaurants, shops and green spaces. Further out, residents can spend time in Harriman State Park or along the Hudson River. As expansive as nearby offerings are, the community of around 2,500 people is tight-knit. “Everybody knows everybody,” says Erick Sanchez, a clerk at the Haverstaw King’s Daughters Public Library who was raised in the town.
Single-family homes and condos sit along wide roads encircled by woods
The median single-family sale price is around $730,000, well above the U.S. median but lower than some other places in the New York Metro Area. New Traditional and Colonial Revival homes are spread throughout the community. Green Mountain Condominium units often range from $200,000 to $300,000 and can carry HOA fees of $370 to $540 per month. Thiells has wide roads, making walking an option even when there are no sidewalks. Street parking is a common practice. Yards can feature medium and large bushes near the house and smaller trees. Woods encircle the community, and roads rise and fall with the area’s hills.
The North Rockland Central School District and a private academy
Students are served by the North Rockland Central School District. Kindergarten through third-grade students can attend Thiells Elementary School, which holds a C-plus Niche score. Willow Grove Elementary School, for grades 4-6, gets a B-minus. Fieldstone Middle School houses grades 7-8 and has a C-plus rating. North Rockland High School offers the Academy of Finance program, letting students take classes like accounting and business ownership. It earns a B score. Sanchez, who attended the school for three years, says he appreciated its range of extracurricular clubs. St. Gregory Barbarigo School, a private academy for prekindergarten through eighth grade, holds an A rating.
Commuting distance from Manhattan and access to a regional airport
U.S. Route 202, known locally as West Ramapo Road, runs through the eastern side of the community. The Palisades Interstate Parkway is to the west. The area is around 3 miles from the village of Haverstraw and just over 35 miles from Manhattan. “Lately, traffic has been getting worse,” Sanchez says, adding that he wishes “good luck” to anyone attempting to drive during rush hour. Westchester County Airport is about 30 miles southeast. Montefiore Nyack Hospital is roughly a 13-mile drive. Sanchez says the area can get winter snowstorms, but they rarely cause a significant disturbance.
Hike in Harriman State Park or enjoy views of the Hudson River
Several green spaces sit within a few miles of the community. Harriman State Park has hiking trails, lakes, beaches and campsites. Anglers head to the park’s Lake Welch to catch bass, bluegill and crappie. In the winter, the park is open for ice skating and cross-country skiing. Haverstraw Baseball Field hosts youth games. Veterans Memorial Park has pickleball courts, ball fields and a playground. It also contains Patriot Paws Dog Park, where furry friends have room to run. Patriot Hills Golf Club and Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course take public tee times for their 18-hole courses. Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library hosts yoga clubs, story sessions and movie screenings. Many churches and synagogues are nearby, including Thiells Garnerville United Methodist Church.
For a spookier experience, visit Letchworth Village, an abandoned institution featured on “Ghost Adventures.” Though its buildings are closed, the surrounding park is open to the public. Around three miles away is Haverstraw Bay Park, where visitors get views of the Hudson River.
Asian, Irish and Italian eateries, plus a ShopRite
There are several restaurants toward the edges of the area. Unicorn, a sushi and hibachi eatery, is decorated with cherry blossom trees and Japanese artwork. Thai Cafe 88 is a popular spot for ordering take-out. Beni’s Trattoria is a casual, family-owned Italian eatery. Lynch’s on the Green, part of Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course, is an Irish-inspired bar and grill. The community has a ShopRite and a CVS.
Watch the New York Boulders or partake in a tapas festival
The New York Boulders, a Frontier League baseball team, play close to 4 miles away at Clover Stadium. The Haverstraw Crawl Eats and Beats event, held each fall in Downtown Haverstraw, combines tapas tastings with live music and family-friendly activities.
![James Leynse]()
Photography Contributed By
James Leynse
