Living in the Riverdale neighborhood of Bronx

Riverdale Apartments

Rental apartments in Riverdale can be found in one of several contemporary, luxury towers, as well in some of the pretty mid-rise complexes, usually built in the 1950s and 1960s, around the Henry Hudson Parkway. But apartments aren't the norm in this upscale Bronx community, tucked into the northwest corner of the borough, and dominated by large private houses, huge old trees, and shady, winding roads.

In fact, with many of the Tudor- and Georgian-revival homes known far outside of the neighborhood--mid-19th-century mansions such as Greyston, Oaklawn, Alderbrook, Stonehook, and, of course, the "Corleone House" on Independence Avenue, used in the Godfather--Riverdale shares more of its identity and character with its neighbors to the north, in suburban Westchester, than with the rest of New York City.

Although residents of Riverdale rental apartments enjoy a decidedly suburban setting, the commute to Manhattan is surprisingly fast and easy, courtesy of MTA's number 1 train, which has its terminal at nearby Van Cortlandt Park; the express bus, which heads down either the west or the east side; or, especially, via the Metro North railroad which will get you to Grand Central in less than half an hour.

Riverdale apartments are also conveniently located near three of New York City's best private schools—Horace Mann, Riverdale Country (with two campuses, one right near the Hudson River), and Fieldston, which functions as the middle- and high-school for Manhattan's Ethical Culture—but the public schools in the neighborhood, unfortunately, are not among the city's best.

Living in a Riverdale Apartment Means Being Surrounded by Beautiful Parks

One thing residents of Riverdale are most definitely not lacking in is greenery, whether taking a stroll through the lovely, leafy streets or enjoying two fantastic, nearby outdoor spaces. First, is the stunning Wave Hill, a combination botanical garden/art exhibition/performance space on which sits two mansions transformed into cultural centers, and which enjoys stunning views of the Hudson River and the beautiful cliffs of New Jersey's Palisades.

Second is the enormous Van Cortlandt Park, with an amazing array of (often wooded) biking and jogging paths, hiking trails, playing fields (frequented by West Indian cricket teams), and New York City's only public golf course. Restaurants, nightlife, and retail options near Riverdale apartments are pretty limited, however, and most people either go north into Westchester or south into Manhattan for a night on the town or to do any serious shopping.