North Side - Mount Vernon, NY

This part of Westchester County was founded in the 17th century by Anne Hutchison and was named after the verdant mount it was built upon. In 1894 the residents held a vote in which they decided not to be incorporated into greater metropolitan New York by a landslide decision.

Since 2000, the district has slowly changed from suburbia to a rapidly-expanding regional commercial and cultural center. In addition to housing the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum and the Museum of Arts and Culture, Mount Vernon and New Rochelle host an annual Memorial Day parade, the Arts on Third Festival in August and an entertainment festival in September.

The North Side region has no centralized location for bistros and eateries. Like other parts of New York City, restaurants can be found on nearly every corner in every neighborhood. Due to its ethnically diverse population, this part of Westchester County provides for a nearly endless choice of great food spots.

For those of you who enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, you'll need to stop by Fratelli Ristorante and Wine Bar located on East Main Street in New Rochelle. Fratellis serves up steaming dishes of your favorite Italian fare in a warm European environment. Order some wine, start your meal off with grilled sweet sausage and broccoli rabe and then move on to chicken scarpariello or pan-seared salmon for your main course before finishing off your meal with dessert and an espresso.

If you have never sampled Caribbean food, then take a trip to the islands for an evening at the simple yet chic Ripe Kitchen & Bar on West Sandford Boulevard in Mount Vernon. The owner creates unique fusion-food dishes which incorporate flavors and cooking styles from around the world - not just the Caribbean. Begin with an order of strawberry hill codfish spring rolls (Asian-Jamaican style) and then tempt your tongue with Negril-style curry shrimp (Jamaican-West Indian style). Ripe spices your food to order and its tranquil atmosphere makes it a great restaurant to take your date for a quiet chat.

After you have finished with your meal, head out to J.C. Fogarty's on Kraft Avenue in Bronxville. Fogarty's packs in the crowds during major sporting events and the over-30s crowd finds its old-school atmosphere nostalgic. On Wednesdays you can wow the onlookers with your favorite renditions during karaoke night, or you can check out the live music on Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening. Fogarty's also cooks up some good eats until midnight, seven days a week.

Another cool locale to check out in the Mount Vernon-New Rochelle district is the An Beal Bocht Cafe. This colorful club showcases music, poetry, comedy, theatre and art-related events and parties. Many of the staff, musicians, comedians and clients hail from Ireland - which serves to create a unique and endearing ambiance. The live music, flowing song and large cool draft beers in heavy glass mugs will have you singing along with the crowd in no time at all.

The local infrastructure of this New York City suburb facilitates the commute for residents without their own vehicles. Taxis, trains and buses run through these suburban districts regularly. One can hail a taxi within a matter of minutes, and Uber also provides service to the area, should one prefer not to take a cab or train.

Public parking is available, however the price range and availability vary greatly depending on the neighborhood and the time. This part of Westchester County's close proximity to Interstate 95, Interstate 87, the Hutchinson River Parkway, the Bronx River Parkway and the Cross County Parkway make commuting a breeze for those who get about in their own private vehicles.

While the neighborhood is walkable, there are very few dedicated biking lanes and vehicle speed on major thoroughfares can make navigation for cyclists hazardous.

Families living in this part of New York and professionals wanting to unwind never have far to drive since the Westchester-South Connecticut region has many parks with different venues to enjoy. Lincoln Park is a great solution for all family members. Seasonal passes cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. This park contains a wading pool, a swimming pool, lighted basketball courts and a youth baseball field.

If you have a furry friend or two, head over to Broadfield Road and Pinebrook Boulevard to Paws Place Ward Acres Dog Park to let Fido run, sniff and do his business. Does your family enjoy annual events? Davenport Park changes into an outdoor theater for its annual Shakespeare in the Park event during the summer. Several other parks in the Westchester-South Connecticut area put on Halloween parties in the fall and egg hunts during the Easter season.

The cost of living in this section of Westchester County is quite high, with the median rent of a one-bedroom residence listing at $1,594. Bee-Line Bus System charges $2.50 per trip and $7.50 for the Westchester-Manhattan route. It will cost you at least $5 for one of your favorite brews in a local pub, and the fuel prices in this part of town run 20 percent above the national average, should you need to fuel up your private vehicle.

Since Manhattan and some of the best shopping locales in the world lie within thirty minutes of Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, many local residents simply head off to the city to buy clothing, shoes, and accessories. New Rochelle has some great little stores which may preclude one from having to take a trip into the city.

If you have a penchant for decorating your house with flowers or want to give that special girl a gift to let her know how you feel, you need to take a quick trip over to Enchanted Flower Boutique on Pelham Road. They create arrangements for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and also put together one-of-a-kind, custom gift baskets which they design to specifically suit the occasion.

New Rochelle and Mount Vernon have several large chain stores for those who like to do their weekly shopping in one shot. You can choose from ShopRite, Foodtown, A & P or any of the smaller ethnic grocery stores should you be searching for exotic condiments, spices or imported specialties. If you prefer organic food and home-baked goodies, drop by the Mount Vernon Fresh Connect Farmers' Market in City Hall Plaza on Thursdays (June through September) or the New Rochelle Downtown Farmers Market (May to October) in Library Plaza.