Riverdale, Bronx Neighborhood Review
While Yankee Stadium, The Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden may call the Bronx home, the Bronx also lays claim to Riverdale, one of New York City's hidden gems.
Bordered by Yonkers in the north, Fieldston and Van Cortlandt Park on the east, and Spuyten Duyvil on the south side, Riverdale offers a unique setting and the best of all worlds.
From Riverdale, you have unhindered and idyllic views of the Hudson as well the cliffs in Englewood, New Jersey.
Upstate NY is just a quick hop stop away, with easy access to Van Cortlandt Park (whose acreage rivals that of Central Park), and Manhattan just a stop or two away!
Early in its development, Riverdale was home to the estates and mansions of Manhattan's wealthy businessmen and elite moguls.
The affluent neighborhoods of Hudson Hill and Fieldston are the area's top destinations thanks to the selection of large houses with privacy.
Price per square footage is phenomenal here and well worth the money when you compare what you can get for that same amount in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
The area is rich in history which has led to the creation of the Riverdale Historic District.
Central Riverdale is considered the "downtown" area. And because Riverdale is one of the highest elevations in New York City, the views are spectacular.
Spend a leisurely afternoon at strolling through the gardens or listening to a live concert at beautiful Wave Hill, much like Riverdale itself--also a hidden gem.
FUN FACT: The Bronx has more bridges to Manhattan than any other borough and one of those bridges, the High Bridge, is the oldest standing bridge in the city (1843).
Local Buzz
Celebrities that live in the Riverdale neighborhood:
| Celebrity | Notes |
| John F. Kennedy | Former U.S. President. Grew up in a mansion at 5040 Independence Ave |
| Steven Tyler | Singer/Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, TV music competition judge. |
Transportation
Unless you prefer a taxi or private vehicle, there are really only two viable public transit options available.
The bus, which will cost you anywhere from $2-$7, or the Metro-North train will set you back anywhere from $4-$14.
| Metro-North | NYC-bound trains depart every 25-35 mins. Grand Central is about 26 mins. |
| Bus | BX1, BX3, BX7, BX9, BX10, BX20, BXM2 |
| Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bedrooms |
| $1,490 | $2,010 | $2,950 | $3,850 |
Public & Charter Schools
Riverdale falls into District 10 and does have strong options for public schools.
Riverdale's elite private schools reflect its wealthy past.
It is home to three top-tier private schools (one of which JFK attended!).
| School | Info | Notes |
| Horace Mann | Private Lutheran - 1-12 - 1,694 students | Student-teacher ratio of 7:1. Among the top independent day schools in the country. |
| Marble Hill High School for International Studies | Public - 9-12 - 429 students | Stellar attendance and graduation rates. Students are ready for college-level work when they graduate. |
| Riverdale Country | Private - PK-12 - 1,154 students | Student-teacher ratio of 6:1. Students go on to attend colleges like Cornell, UPenn, Duke, Columbia and John Hopkins University. |
| Fieldston Middle/Upper School | Private - 6-12 - 990 students | Robust arts program, extensive co-curricular activities, and athletics. 99% of student go on to attend a 4-year college. |
| New School For Leadership And Journalism | Public - 6-8 - 774 | Very helpful teachers, safe and welcoming environment, diverse student body. |
Restaurants
Even though the great restaurants in Riverdale are few and far between, they stay true to accommodating their residents offering a selection of upscale chic eateries.
There is also no shortage of Italian and your classic New York pizzeria fare in Riverdale, but it is so much more than just that.
Xaviars on the Hudson offers patrons a romantic setting with great ambiance as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson.
The Hill Bistro is the latest addition to the neighborhood.
Offering creative new, American dishes and a large selection of alcoholic beverages, the warm intimate atmosphere is conducive to a great conversation for an overall pleasant dining experience.
Live DJ music is also featured every Wednesday and Friday!
An BealBocht Cafe offers something a little different. This Irish-style pub and restaurant that not only is the place for killer bangers and mash, but also doubles as a venue for comedy, arts, and music