Jackiedinkatonah's Blog

Why Katonah?

 For a new home buyer, there are so many alternatives to evaluate… And one of the most important is WHERE.  In my 25 years of experience, I can share with you the many reasons people  move to the Katonah Area.  Our point of reference is Katonah, but there are  many small towns and hamlets in Northern Westchester that meet similar criteria;  desirable schools, natural beauty, proximity to trains and highways and small town charm.

The first remark which is nearly universal heard by newcomers, is in regard to the beauty of the area and its country feel, while being less than an hour from the city. . Horse farms dot the countryside, old growth trees line our roads, farmers’ old stone walls meander through neighborhoods of all sorts.There are horse trails, biking trails, miles and miles of hiking trails, lakes and  nature preserves.  Westchester County alone offers over 5,000 acres of parklands  from an early 20th century gentleman’s farm (Muscoot Farm embracing nearly 800 acres!), to an arboretum (LasdonPark) to the extensive offerings of Wards Pound Ridge Reservation and the Sportsman Center at Blue Mountain.!   While driving through our towns the many New York City reservoirs provide not only stunning viewsheds, but ensure that their environs remain undeveloped in order to keep the water quality pure.

Not into the outdoors?  We have Caramoor, a center for summer music festivals, Jacob Burns, a state of the art film center in Pleasantville,,the Katonah Art Museum, and the John Jay Homestead.  Not to mention our many fine restaurants. Among my favorites are John Pratts Inn (Yorktown Heights), John Michaels (Purdys) and Crabtree Kittle House (Chappaqua).

Each town has a park system with amenities such as swimming , tennis , ball fields ice skating in the winter and summer camps.

What is special is that while we feel we are living in the “country” we are less than an hour train ride to Manhattan. We may have hens and horses and llamas, or raise organic produce. Or maybe we have kids actively involved in many of the excellent sport teams at  schools. Or perhaps we volunteer for many of the wonderful local organizations in our town. The best of Both worlds, a wholesome active quality of life on a small town scale proximity.

This a but a sampling of the array of activities that grace our communities.  Some of us moved up here to raise our families, other to have a weekend home and others for the natural beauty and small town feeling.

Behold the stately Bedford Oak. Said to be over 500 years old, it is a symbol of our town.  It is also a tree with a trust fund!

This beautiful photograph was taken by Chris Primavera

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37052474@N06

http://ChrisPrimavera.imagekind.com

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