North White Plains

The North White Plains neighborhood in West Harrison, about 35 miles north of New York City, is often where people go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embrace the calm of the outdoors. “It’s a quieter, suburban environment with plenty of job opportunities in town, but commuters also have an easy 45-minute ride into Grand Central Station on the express train, which is why they call this area a mini New York City,” says Valerio Santucci, a Realtor at Link NY Realty with experience in the greater Westchester region.

Sidewalks and trees line the residential streets of North White Plains, and homes typically come with driveways and garages. Raised ranch homes, split levels and Cape Cods range from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet in size and $550,000 to $725,000 in price. Larger, 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot waterfront cabins, colonials and custom-built homes, some with high ceilings and acreage, are in the $1 million to $3 million price range. There are also condos and townhouses, some with balconies, for a median of $400,000.

Students living in North White Plains can attend the White Plains City School District or Mount Pleasant Central School District, both graded an A by Niche. Younger students can benefit from an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio at George Washington School, which receives a B Niche grade. As they progress, students can receive an even better 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio at Valhalla Middle School, which receives an A grade and reports above-average state test scores, according to Niche. Westlake High School, an A-minus graded school ranked among the Best Public High Schools in New York, serves older students in the area. “Athletics are big here, so families are often at a lacrosse or soccer game at one of the schools during the week. And we have high school rivalries, which can turn football games into Friday Night Lights,” says Kori Sassower, a local and Realtor at Compass Greater NY, LLC with seven years of experience in the Westchester area.

Plenty of parks and lakes give North White Plains locals the peace that comes with the open air. “A lot of people go to Cranberry Lake Preserve, which sits between Kensico Reservoir and Rye Lake north of the neighborhood, where there are wooded hiking trails, boat access and a wildlife nature center,” says Sassower. And Passidomo Veterans Park is on the other side of Silver Lake, where there are athletic fields and a playground. “Near the park on Silver Lake, they just added a pool complex with waterslides and a splash pad, for West Harrison residents only,” Sassower adds. Delfino Park is right off Interstate 287, where there are also athletic fields and a playground, as well as a seasonal ice rink. “A lot of bikers and runners use the Bronx River Trail, which runs from North White Plains all the way into the Bronx,” Santucci says.

Near the Bronx River Trail is the North White Plains train station. And across the street from the station, locals can grab a deli sandwich at Tommy’s Trax Side Café. Up the street, Alex’s Bar & Grille offers Italian cuisine and seafood in an upscale setting. A few bus stops line North Broadway, which leads to more shopping and dining options in Renaissance Plaza. “The Westchester shopping center is popular, where there’s a Whole Foods Market and different restaurants,” Santucci adds. There’s also a Stop & Shop nearby for groceries and essentials, and the White Plains Hospital is less than a mile away.

North White Plains provides lake and hiking adventures in a private, community-minded suburb, making it a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. And in the same breath, there’s big city access via train or interstate, making this West Harrison neighborhood a commuter haven.

Written By

Mary Beth Greene

Photography Contributed By

Deawell Adair

Video By

Zoe Sarris