Northwest Yonkers - Yonkers, NY

Yonkers was originally settled in the 1600s by Dutch immigrants who established farms in the region. By the 1800s, however, Yonkers had become a hub of industrial activity, housing the first elevator factory in the country, with further factories constructed to produce carpets, hats, plastic and automobiles. Yonkers repeatedly declined opportunities to become part of New York City, though the southern part of the Yonkers Township was annexed by the Bronx. Racial tensions in the 1960s and 1970s, during which time the city council refused to desegregate, brought about a gradual diminishing of the city's schools and other public services.

The Hudson River Museum in downtown Yonkers includes an art museum, a science museum, a historic home and a planetarium. For a huge range of art, music and theater offerings, all of New York City, including Broadway, lies only a short drive or train ride away.

Northwest Yonkers presents plenty of dining options, ranging from casual to elegant. You'll find many Italian restaurants to choose from, as well as a smattering of Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern and other choices, mostly clustered in the southern part of the neighborhood.

Nawab Restaurant serves perfectly prepared Indian food in a warm and intimate setting. Enjoy the lollipop chicken, tantalizing curries or chili chicken. During Ramadan, many locals head here late at night for the sumptuous buffet, which also stars during weekend brunch hours.

If you need something quick and tasty, grab a slice of pizza at The Pizza Place, where the pleasantly spicy sauce and slightly crispy crusts always delight. Locals swear by grandma's pizza, featuring chunky tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

When you have something special to celebrate, Xaviars X20 on the Hudson gives you a stunning location on a turn-of-the-century pier over the Hudson River. If you can drag your eyes away from the views of the bridges through the walls of glass, you'll find a menu featuring delicacies such as bay scallops with sunchoke puree, bacon-wrapped pork belly, pan-roasted skate and wild salmon with ssamjang glaze. Impeccable service paired with the creative French-Asian fusion menu make X20 a place to remember.

While some locals head up to Hastings-on-Hudson or down into New York for a night of entertainment, plenty of choices sit right around Main Street in Yonkers, most of them Irish pubs. Stop in at Tyrone House, a classic Irish pub, for basic pub grub served with a friendly neighborhood vibe, inexpensive beers and TVs when you want to watch the game. Other Irish bars in the neighborhood include Clarke's Bar and Restaurant on Saw Mill River Road and the Glenrowan Sports Bar and Grill on Midland Avenue.

The Westchester County Bee-Line runs half a dozen bus routes through Northwest Yonkers to connect residents to the Bronx and other parts of Yonkers and Westchester County. New York City's Metro North Hudson line runs from Manhattan's Grand Central Station to several stops in Yonkers. Westchester County's various taxi services stand available to take you anywhere in the city, and Uber also serves most of Westchester County.

Warburton Avenue, running near the Hudson River, has a dedicated bike lane, but otherwise cyclists don't enjoy much bike-friendly infrastructure in Yonkers. Walking around downtown can be convenient and pleasant, but in Northwest Yonkers, don't expect to get your errands done on foot.

If you choose to drive in commercial areas of Yonkers, you can buy a parking permit to park in a Yonkers parking structure, or make sure to fill your parking meter. U.S. Route 9 runs right through Northwest Yonkers to connect you to Delaware, New Jersey and Albany. Just a little farther east, Interstate 87 runs from the Bronx all the way up to the Canadian border.

Parks in Northwest Yonkers provide locals with unique opportunities to step back into the life of a bygone era, enjoy nature and get in some exercise. Untermyer Park was originally part of a grand Beaux Arts estate in the late 1800s. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this park features a stunning walled garden, a Greek-style amphitheater, a pergola, various statuary and a tranquil view of the Hudson River. Locals who take the time to stroll through the gardens, marveling at deer and butterflies on the way, often describe this park as magical. Come to this free park when you need a moment of respite from the urban lifestyle. Each summer, the park hosts a series of concerts that bring in neighbors from all over Yonkers.

The Lenoir Preserve repurposes an old mansion as a park. Come to this urban forest to enjoy the butterfly garden, the dragonfly pond and the abundant hummingbirds, then let your dog run free on the lawns.

The cost of living in Northwest Yonkers runs 25 percent higher than that of New York City overall. Expect to pay a premium at the gas pump as well, with gas prices running 23 percent higher than the national average. However, you'll pay only $4 to take the train to Grand Central Station.

An average one-bedroom apartment in Northwest Yonkers runs around $950 per month. When you want to grab a beer after your commute back from the city, expect to pay $5 or $6 at your local bar.

Just to the east of Northwest Yonkers, a couple of significant shopping malls tend to the needs of the local residents. The Cross County Shopping Center is anchored by Macy's, Sears and Old Navy, and also features stores such as Adidas, Bebe, The Children's Place, Zale's and Victoria's Secret. Near Sprain Ridge Park, Westchester's Ridge Hill gives locals access to many dining and shopping options, including Brooks Brothers, Guitar Center, L.L. Bean, REI and Lord and Taylor.

Kids are happy to head to Ridge Hill if you promise them they can stop at the Legoland Discovery Center. Let them ride the rides, build their own Lego cars and watch the 3D movie while you marvel at the amazing Lego creations in Miniland. After all that, you may be tempted to pick up some Lego sets as you leave.

When you're ready to furnish your new home, FEA Home's 170,000-square-foot warehouse should be able to provide what you're looking for. Visit floor after floor of stunning antiques, with a focus on Asian antiquities and furniture. Whether you're looking for cabinets, stools, ceramics or tables, you'll find it here.

Grocery shopping in Northwest Yonkers typically means heading to Foodtown. If you want to turn food shopping into an adventure, head to Stew Leonard's, where you walk through a maze to find your items, entertained by singing animatronic characters and pampered by a seemingly endless supply of free samples. Locals know to pick up specialties such as the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and apple cider doughnuts. When you're looking for farm-to-table produce at a farmers market, you'll have to head south to the Riverdale Farmers Market in the Bronx or north to the Hastings Farmers Market at Hastings-on-Hudson.