Ludlow - Yonkers, NY

Yonkers's growth once rested on developing industry. Elisha Otis invented the first safety elevator and the Otis Elevator Company in 1853; it was the first elevator factory in the world. In 1906, Bakelite, the first completely synthetic plastic, was invented and manufactured here until the late 1920s.

The art scene here lies middle of the road; the community doesn't have the bohemian vibe that other nearby towns have, but many artists move to this area due to the proximity to New York City. Throughout Yonkers, quite a few art galleries and studios can be found. The Hudson River Museum houses a planetarium, a wide variety of exhibitions, and educational programs for children and adults.

In September, be sure to catch the annual Riverfest. It features free entertainment for the whole family, such as live music, international foods, arts show, arts and crafts vendors, carnival games and classic cars.

Restaurants and bars can be found in Getty Square and along the revitalized waterfront. Options include Thai, Japanese, Indian and French cuisines and plenty of pizza options.

For upscale dining with breathtaking views, try Xaviars X20 on the Hudson. Dishes incorporate classic French technique with Italian and Spanish influences and Asian embellishments, creating an original cuisine unique to the Hudson Valley. The main dining room's 25-foot vaulted ceiling and three walls of glass provide beautiful views of the George Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges as well as sunsets over the Palisades. Stop by for the prix fixe Sunday brunch, including unlimited champagne, breads, a selection of two savory courses and a dessert.

Nawab serves Pakistani-Indian food in a fun and contemporary setting at moderate prices. Rich and flavorful food gets complimented by the friendly and informative service. Popular dishes include the chicken lollipops and veggie pakora, or come for the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.

Nightlife in Yonkers confines itself mostly to casual bars. Since 1984, Bottoms Up, on Nepperhan Avenue, has been attracting regulars with its homey atmosphere, pool and dart parties and DJs on the weekends. Special events include annual Halloween, Christmas and Super Bowl parties complete with catered snacks. The bartenders are attentive and provide quick service.

Add some Cuban flair to your night at La Bella Havana. This restaurant and cocktail bar has been honored by the city of Yonkers and also received praise from The New York Times. Stop by during the week for half priced drinks during happy hour, or check out the live Latin jazz on Saturdays. Be sure to try an authentic and strong mojito or Cuba Libre drink from one of the friendly and knowledgeable bartenders.

You can get to Yonkers easily from almost anywhere. Ten Metro North Railroad stations serve Yonkers with a Ludlow stop, and Midtown Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal only takes 25 minutes to get to by train. The subway line at 242nd Street can be reached in 5 minutes by car, and Westchester County's Bee-Line Bus services Yonkers.

Five major highways connect Yonkers with the rest of Westchester County, New York City and beyond, and if you have to drive into Manhattan, it’s a quick hop on the Henry Hudson to the West Side Highway. Taxis and Uber service the city as well.

Pedestrians and cyclists appreciate the sidewalks and bike-friendly streets, a Yonker's bike club has even been started.

Parking can be found in public lots or off street in metered spots, and parking permits can be purchased for residential parking. For a commute complete with the best views around, the New York Water Taxi takes less than an hour to sail you from the Yonkers pier to Wall Street.

Although no parks reside in Ludlow Park itself, Culver Street Playground lies nearby with a playground, basketball court and sitting area.

The city houses an ice skating rink, an indoor swimming pool, a rifle range and four community centers. City residents can golf at two Westchester County-owned 18-hole courses: Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake.

Yonkers cost of living sits 30.9 percent higher than the New York average. Mixed housing types, from detached single homes, older apartment buildings and mansions to luxury apartment buildings along the Hudson, can be found here, and rent for a one-bedroom place can run anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the amenities.

The price of gas in Yonkers lies 11.5 percent higher than the national average, but the city offers many other means of transportation besides driving. Getting to Manhattan on the Bee-Line bus costs $7.50, and a beer at a local bar costs about $5.

Getty Square, the bustling, multi-ethnic shopping district in downtown Yonkers, sits as the civic center and central business district of the city. The Cross County Shopping Center, an indoor retail mall, can be found close by at 8000 Mall Walk.

At La Robe By Leah, the friendly staff will help you pick the right outfit for your special occasion. It specializes in wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride or groom dresses, flower girl and prom dresses as well as a large inventory of special occasion outfits. You can also shop the large variety of jewelry and accessories, including crowns, tiaras, veils and handbags.

Stop into the shop at the Blue Door Art Center for fine art, books and gifts. A variety of unique, artist-crafted items such as ceramics, jewelry, accessories and one-of-a-kind gifts for the home can be found here.

Stop and Shop and Shoprite grocery stores provide the residents with groceries, and a couple of farmers markets also operate nearby. The Yonkers farmers market reigns as the oldest and one of the most diverse in Westchester County. Breads, produce, Amish vendors who sell "shoofly" pies and honey, and a 28-store flea market on site that offers jewelry, handbags, and other homemade goods can be found here. It runs Thursdays beginning at the start of July and ending mid-November. The market resides outside St. John's Episcopal Church in Getty Square and stays open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Groundwork farmers market in downtown Yonkers features local produce grown within 100 miles, locally produced baked goods and breads, and jams made by Yonkers public high school students. It brings affordable food to the area June through October.