Park Hill - Yonkers, NY

The creation of Park Hill was anything but organic. Because of its natural scenic beauty and location near Manhattan, this southern section of Yonkers attracted New Yorkers looking to escape congested city life. The American Real Estate Company established the Park Hill neighborhood in 1888, and people came in droves. These early residents of Park Hill comprised New York's artistic elite, established performers and producers in theater, radio, and film. Charlie Chaplin and contemporaries were known to attend parties in the neighborhood.

These days Park Hill boasts a more cosmopolitan and diverse population, though acclaimed artists still reside there. You can view some local artists' work on display at the Yonkers Riverfront library. Bastions of the early days, like the Racquet Club and the Residents' Association, remain pillars in the community, illustrating Park Hillers' commitment to the neighborhood's continued success.

The wide range of dining options in and around Park Hill reflects the diverse community. You can find an abundance of restaurants, from Chinese to Italian delis, to American-style diners, most of them lined up on South Broadway. Of course, in Park Hill you're not far at all from some of the best cuisine in the world just over a dozen miles away in New York City.

And what would a New York neighborhood be without a quality pizza joint? Just north of Park Hill is Gjoni's Pizza, a low-profile place that the locals adore. In contrast to the brashness many encounter in the Big Apple, the owner at Gjoni's makes you feel at home. The plain slice is on point - many don't even bother with toppings.

While strolling along South Broadway, don't miss Ya Hala Restaurant, a casual dining space bringing some of the best Middle Eastern classic dishes to Park Hill. Sip the mint-infused Arabic tea, and order the chicken or lamb kebab platter, but make sure to start your meal with traditional appetizers such as hummus or baba ganoush, accompanied by warm pita bread.

Plenty of nightlife options await less than two miles away, on Main Street in Yonkers. One of them, Zuppa Restaurant and Lounge, draws a trendy crowd, and features an award-winning wine menu and a full list of cocktails.

Park Hill can cater to your transportation needs. Many homes in the residential section come equipped with a driveway, so having a car is easy and popular. Because of Park Hill's beautiful overlooks and winding roads, you can easily get around the neighborhood as a pedestrian, especially on the South Broadway strip. While you probably won't be able to stroll from one corner to the other, a short drive can accomplish most daily errands.

If you're attempting to travel into Manhattan, it's best to take public transportation. It will cause you a great headache and considerable cash to find parking in Manhattan. Fortunately, from Park Hill you can catch a train or bus into the city at the Ludlow MetroNorth station, less than a mile from the western edge of Park Hill. If you don't want to walk to the train stop, hop in one of the cabs which constantly pass along South Broadway, or use your smartphone to summon an Uber driver.

Park Hill has historically treasured its green space, as developers initially built residences around natural features in order to preserve them for future Park Hillers. In addition to the natural greenery, the municipal parks of Pelton Oval Park and Sullivan Oval Park provide other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. You can always find a pick-up game of basketball to join at Sullivan Oval.

The extensive Van Cortlandt Park serves as the neighborhood's southern border, and constitutes one of the best spaces in the Bronx for outdoor recreational activity. Go for a dip in Van Cortlandt's free swimming pool, or get lost amid the greenery along the scenic walking or biking trails. Perhaps try your hand at a new sport: Van Cortlandt Park features one of the more popular cricket fields in New York City, as well as plenty of rugby pitches.

While the demand to live in or near New York is higher than ever, Park Hill has remained a relatively affordable place to live. The average monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom residence comes to $1,100 in Park Hill, compared to the monthly average of $2,933 in New York City. A one-way fare on the MetroNorth train bound for midtown Manhattan costs $2.50. Gas prices currently sit at 15% below the national average, and you can expect to pay $6-7 for a beer at the local bars.

Though a good portion of Park Hill is residential, you will encounter many shopping spots sprinkled throughout the neighborhood and a deluge of businesses lining the South Broadway corridor. On this strip, you can find anything from barbershops to bodegas, hardware stores to ethnic supermarkets. In short, it's a typical New York avenue. Wayside Thrift Shop is certainly worth a visit. With the exception of furniture, this place has everything you might need or want. And your purchase will make a difference in the greater Westchester County community, as profits benefit New Rochelle's Pregnancy Care Center.

Many residents buy groceries at one of Park Hill's smaller grocery stores, or drive several minutes north to the ShopRite in downtown Yonkers for a wider selection. The Cross County Shopping center, a ten minute drive from Park Hill, showcases an all-star list of retailers, including Macy's, Victoria's Secret, American Eagle, and Gap, as well as a movie theater and a gym.