Riverdale Neighborhood Review - Bronx Moving Guide
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.
In this Riverdale neighborhood review, we'll look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
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 and 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.
Quite a number of notable and famous people have hailed from the Riverdale neighborhood. In fact, you can still see the impressive Mediterranean-revival childhood home of John F. Kennedy steps away from Wave Hill.
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).
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 |
Renting in Riverdale
Much of the housing in the area is privately-owned single-family detached homes but you can still find rentals at co-op building and handful of rental apartment buildings.
Within Fieldston, the private gated mansion community of Villanova Heights actually only leases out their historically accurate mansions--each with its own swimming pool and private garages.
If you're looking to move, here are the average rent prices in the Riverdale neighborhood:
| Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,490 | $2,010 | $2,950 | $3,850 |
Average Rent Price History by Neighborhood
Apartments Available in Riverdale
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!).
It's also important to note that there are numerous public/free Pre-K programs around Riverdale housed in private and non-profit facilities which we do not list here.
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P.S. 081- Robert J. Christen School | Public- K-5 -733 students | Students score higher than the citywide average on test exams, and each grade has one dedicated classroom with integrated co-teaching for students with special needs. |
| P.S. 24- Spuyten Duyvil | Public- K-5 - 795 students | Students score higher than the citywide average on state exams. PS 24 also offers a G & T program. |
| Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy (Middle School/High School 141) | Public, 6-12, 1,567 students | Students have a higher rate of college readiness than the citywide average. The school offers a wide variety of AP courses. |
| 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.
An Beal Bocht 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.
There are also a variety of great restaurants offering Latin and Asian cuisines such as Cocina Chente, Anise, Moon Star Grill, and Aoyu.
Liebman's Deli makes the best Reuben and pastrami sandwiches and homemade knishes in the neighborhood.
