Riverdale Bronx, NY

First occupied by the Lenape Indians, Riverdale was farmland until 1852. One of New York’s first “railroad suburbs,” the neighborhood was developed by five wealthy businessmen who wanted a community along New York Central’s only railroad station between Spuyten Duyvil and Yonkers. Originally known for gorgeous mansions, apartment buildings and single-family homes began springing up after World War II. One of the original mansions, known as Wave Hill and the former residence of Mark Twain, now serves as a 28-acre public garden and cultural center. Overlooking the Hudson River, Wave Hill also features a rotating program of art exhibitions and a noted concert series. The Derfner Judaica Museum, a cultural and education center on the grounds of the Hebrew Home for the Aged, maintains an extensive collection of objects used in Jewish rituals, as well as Jewish art. Held every June, the Riverhead RiverFest provides outdoor entertainment and environmental education.

Zagat-rated Beccofino presents classic, old-style Italian favorites alongside creative new dishes. The intimate, 50-seat dining room has a “no reservations” policy, which means customers must be prepared to wait. Menu items include pastas, such as papardelle Bolognese, and Italian specialties like cioppino, a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari in a seafood broth. Pair your meal with a carafe of sangria or a cold beer. A treasure on Johnson Avenue, Aoyu Sushi serves some of the best sushi in New York City. The kind and attentive staff, headed by owner/hostess Joanna, add to the ambiance. Regulars rave about the freshness and quality of the fish and the reasonable prices. Special rolls include the Phoenix, eel tempura, spicy salmon and avocado wrapped in soy paper and the fashion roll, a combination of spicy lobster, yellowtail and jalapeno topped with yuzu tobiko and a fresh scallop. Those who prefer cooked entrees can enjoy such dishes as rib eye steak teriyaki and shrimp and vegetable tempura. A quintessential Kosher deli that has been a Riverdale landmark since 1953, Liebman’s keeps it old school. With décor that includes Formica tabletops and padded booths, Liebman’s serves up a taste of old New York. The artery-clogging fare includes overstuffed pastrami sandwiches, delicious knishes and piping hot matzo ball soup with noodles. Don’t miss the hot dogs, considered to be among the best in the city. Wash it all down with a bottle of Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda for a completely authentic experience. The bar scene in the North Bronx used to consist solely of working-class Irish pubs. As the neighborhood has gotten younger, several modern watering holes have opened in the area. Gleeson’s Sports Bar, in the Fieldston section of town, hit the scene in 2008 and has since developed a reputation as the best sports bar in the Bronx. Live sporting events are featured on Gleeson’s eight large HD flat screens with full surround sound. For those who prefer music to sports, Gleeson’s has live entertainment, DJs and karaoke nights as well. The bar also sponsors a number of annual events including a popular booze cruise. Many of the newer hotspots are located in neighboring Kingsbridge, including the Bronx Alehouse, with 17 craft brews on tap.

Like most of New York City, extremely walkable Riverdale makes it easy for residents to handle most of their errands on foot. When it comes to public transportation, there are several options. The "1" train on the IRT Broadway Seventh Avenue Line has three stops in Riverdale, with the line terminating at Van Cortlandt Park. The trip to midtown Manhattan takes around 45 minutes. The MTA has both local bus service and two express buses running from Riverdale to Manhattan (one to the west side and the other to the east side). A pricier option to Manhattan, the Hudson Line of the Metro North Railroad, will shave some time off your trip and can be convenient for those who work in the vicinity of Grand Central Station. Four bus routes via the Bee Line to Westchester also have stops in Riverdale. For those who own cars, alternate side of the street parking rules means vehicles need to be moved frequently. Many of the hi-rise apartment buildings have garages, and parking spaces are often available to non-residents. The Henry Hudson Parkway (NY 9A) runs through Riverdale, as does Broadway (Route 9); both routes lead to Westchester in the north and Manhattan to the south. Although hailing a cab in Riverdale (or any of the outer boroughs) proves to be nearly impossible, the city has a fleet of bright green taxis to provide people in the Bronx with more access to metered taxis. Ride sharing through Uber runs from $42 to $55 for a trip into Manhattan. Experienced cyclists can use the bike route that runs along Broadway in Kingsbridge, but the busy streets make it dangerous for novice riders.

Widely known for its bucolic parks that give it a suburban feel, Riverdale residents take advantage of the green space that surrounds them. Riverdale Park, is a haven for bird watchers along the Hudson River, with sightings of 27 species including the screech owl. The park contains about 50 forested acres and has an off-leash area for dogs from West 232nd Street to West 254th Street. The Gaelic Park Sports Centre, a multipurpose outdoor athletic facility on West 240th Street, has been used as the venue for Gaelic football and hurling in New York since 1926. Named for the prominent 500-ton tower and Spanish bell on the property, Bell Tower Park is the site of seasonal festivities including a Memorial Day ceremony and an annual Christmas tree lighting, and is home to the largest Hanukkah menorah in the Bronx. The granddaddy of them all, Van Cortlandt Park, on Riverdale’s eastern border, is twice the size of Central Park. Covering over 1000 acres and home to the Bronx’s largest freshwater lake, the park has a nature center that offers workshops and walking tours. Playing fields and playgrounds are scattered throughout with more than a dozen cricket fields attracting many of Riverdale’s West Indian residents. Bronx’s oldest house, the 1748 Georgian-style manor house, Van Cortlandt House Museum, can be found in the southwestern part of the park.

The benefits of living in Riverdale come at a price; though the cost of living comes in nearly four percent lower than for New York City as a whole, costs are almost 26 percent higher than for the rest of New York State. Those looking for a one-bedroom apartment in one of Riverdale’s many buildings can expect to pay $2,050 a month. A one-way ride via subway or city bus costs $2.50, while the express bus runs $6.00 each way. For those with cars, gas prices are 17 percent higher than the rest of the nation. A craft beer at a local bar generally runs about $7 a bottle.

With Manhattan and Westchester in close proximity, Riverdale residents have many options when it comes to shopping. Local merchants are primarily found in shopping districts along Broadway, Johnson Avenue, and Riverdale Avenue. Located in the Spuyten Duyvil, Riverdale Vintner calls itself a friendly, neighborhood wine shop. In addition to an accommodating and knowledgeable staff always at the ready with a suggestion, the shop offers free delivery and has wine tastings most weekends. Riverdale Vintner also carries a broad selection of liquors and spirits. Pooches in Riverdale are well served by Popcorn Pawz. A pet boutique, spa and doggie day care on Riverdale Avenue, Popcorn Pawz sells only holistic pet food along with a wide selection of treats, toys, clothing and pet carriers. The state-of-the-art grooming center keeps Fido looking his best. Many busy Riverdale residents rely on the online convenience of FreshDirect home delivery for their weekly grocery shopping needs. For those who have the time, there are a number of supermarkets and smaller grocery stores throughout Riverdale, including a Key Food. The Garden Gourmet on Broadway presents an amazing selection of fine gourmet foods, including a wide array of imported and domestic specialty cheeses, prepared hot and cold dishes and basic household items. During the warmer months, Riverdale residents have their choice of several farmers markets. The Riverdale Y Sunday Market, open from spring through fall, provides fresh food grown or produced within a 100-mile radius. The Riverdale Youthmarket, held from July until November, is one of GrowNYC's longest-running youth markets. From mid-June to late November, the garden at the Church of the Mediator in Kingsbridge showcases the goods from local area farms.