Moving to the suburbs after growing out of a New York City apartment is not a new phenomenon. But after many New Yorkers spent the early days of the coronavirus pandemic cooped up inside small spaces, trading in city life for country living has become more attractive than ever. Westchester County continues to draw new residents with its affordable and spacious homes, access to nature, proximity to Manhattan, and abundant public transit options. But with six cities, 19 towns, and 20 villages, choosing where to live in Westchester can be daunting. Whether you’re looking for walkable urban areas with a reputable school system, artsy towns with waterfront access, or rural villages with more horses than people, there’s a home for you in this diverse county.

Cool Listings, Upstate

For $4.9M, own a private New York island with a 100-year-old Mediterranean-style mansion

Photo by Framework Home

We’d be lying if we said we haven’t dreamt of throwing in the 2020 towel and escaping to a secluded island. And while this private island that’s up for sale is just 45 minutes from NYC, it still manages to feel like a magical oasis removed from the rest of the world. Asking $4,900,000, Oak Island is more than half an acre on Premium Mill Pond, overlooking the Long Island Sound. The main residence is a Mediterranean-style mansion built in 1917, and you’ll also get a pool/hot tub, separate two-car garage/pool house, and gorgeous lush landscaping. Read more

Cool Listings, Green Design, Quirky Homes

This $13M private island just outside NYC is totally off the grid

columbia island, new rochelle, cool listings, private islands, self sustaining, off grid

Listing photos by Vizzi Media Solutions

This unique home located in New Rochelle just outside New York City is not only situated on a pair of private islands with over five acres of land, but with a year’s worth of fuel oil, the islands are completely self-sustaining for off-the-grid living right in Westchester County. An inspired renovation by the current owner means custom everything and integration with nature without sacrificing comfort. Asking $13 million, Columbia and Pea Islands–and a 5,625-square-foot home–are definitely not your ordinary property.

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Celebrities, Cool Listings, Upstate

Yankee Legend Lou Gehrig’s New Rochelle Family Home Is for Sale for Just $300K

Lou Gehrig home, 9 Meadow Lane, New Rochelle real estate, celebrity homes

The New York Post reports that Yankee legend Lou Gehrig‘s former home is for sale. The 2,522-square-foot, four-bedroom New Rochelle house that Gehrig purchased for his parents in 1928–and in which he lived for five years afterward–just hit the market for a surprisingly low $399,999 (assessment rolls list the home’s market value as $506,826). According to the Post, the price is so low because it’s a short sale, i.e. the seller owes more on the property than the amount of expected profit. Also, the home is being sold “as is.”

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