Riverdale Neighborhood Review - Bronx Moving Guide
Riverdale is a peaceful neighborhood located in the Bronx, New York City. It boasts stunning riverfront views and access to some of the best restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions in the city.
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.
This Riverdale neighborhood review will 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 several 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.
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. |
|---|---|
| Local Buses | Bx7, Bx10, Bx20 |
| Express Bus Service | BxM1, BxM2, BxM18 |
Real Estate in Riverdale
Riverdale, New York, is a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of rental and purchase options for prospective real estate buyers and renters.
Riverdale is home to some of the most affordable housing in the city. Whether you’re looking to rent or purchase a single-family home, riverfront condo, or luxurious river-view penthouse suite, you’ll find something to fit your needs in Riverdale.
The neighborhood boasts beautiful parks such as Spuyten Duyvil Park and Wave Hill, which overlook the Hudson river and provide residents with breathtaking views of both Manhattan and the Palisades.
You’ll also find many cafes and restaurants offering delectable cuisine from all over the world. If you're looking for entertainment options, you won't be disappointed with riverfront movies at night or strolling along one of the nearby pedestrian plazas during the day.
The 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.
Riverdale offers a variety of rental options, including apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms.
Prices can range anywhere from $1,200 per month for a studio unit up to $3,000 per month for a three-bedroom apartment.
Apartments here are equipped with modern amenities such as stainless steel appliances, dishwashers, spacious closets, and balconies overlooking the river or nearby parks.
Rentals Available 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 buildings and a handful of rental apartment buildings.
Most rental units in Riverdale are going to be apartments in apartment complexes--most of them huge, but there are some smaller buildings in the neighborhood.
It is possible to find houses for rent but not quite so often.
Riverdale's apartment buildings and complexes range from modern luxury buildings to historic Tudor-style buildings that have that old retro charm.
Many of the larger complexes usually have parking garages, health clubs, or fitness facilities and offer commercial space as well.
Rent prices in Riverdale are very affordable, and apartments tend to be more generous for the price compared to most of Manhattan and even the more popular areas of Brooklyn.
Average Rental Prices in Riverdale | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed | $1,950 |
| 2 Beds | $2,650 |
| 3 Beds | $2,500 |
| 4 Beds | $4,995 |
Average Rent Price History by Neighborhood
Homes For Sale in Riverdale
For those who are looking to buy instead of rent should consider checking out some of Riverdale's single-family homes or riverfront condos and co-ops that offer incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.
Prices can range anywhere from $120K for a modest co-op apartment to over $2 million for an ultra-luxurious condo near Wave Hill Park.
That being said, for the price, you are getting a sprawling apartment, often multi-leveled, with thousands of square feet and sweeping river views.
With its convenient access to transportation links like Metro-North Railroad and attractive riverfront scenery, Riverdale makes an excellent choice when considering where to live in New York City.
Detached single-family homes in Riverdale start from under a million to about $5 million.
Average Sales Prices in Riverdale | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed | $289,000 |
| 2 Beds | $424,900 |
| 3 Beds | $1,295,000 |
| 4 Beds | $715,000 |
Public & Charter Schools In Riverdale
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 in Riverdale
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 much more than 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.
A Beal Bocht Cafe offers something a little different. This Irish-style pub and restaurant is not only 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, Aoyu, and Topala.
Liebman's Deli makes the best Reuben and pastrami sandwiches and homemade knishes in the neighborhood.
How Safe is the Riverdale Neighborhood?
Riverdale is considered a very safe neighborhood overall. In fact, it’s recognized as one of the safest neighborhoods in all of New York City. With its low crime rates and a strong sense of community, Riverdale provides a secure environment for all its residents.
Crime statistics
The Riverdale police department works hard to ensure that Riverdale remains a safe place to live and work.
They utilize community policing tactics combined with high-tech security surveillance systems throughout the neighborhood to provide a proactive approach toward law enforcement.
Extensive patrols are also conducted during peak hours when more people are out and about in Riverdale's streets and parks.
In addition to having a strong law enforcement presence within Riverdale, several safety initiatives have been established by Riverdale's local organizations and businesses.
Private patrol services are available for those desiring extra protection while walking around Riverdale's streets at night or taking public transportation home after dark.
The Riverdale Neighborhood Watch Program is also active within the community – providing residents with an opportunity to report criminal activity directly to local authorities through their website or mobile app.
At its core, Riverdale's sense of community helps make it one of the safer neighborhoods in New York City. Residents know each other by name, participate in various activities together, and look out for one another’s well-being - all helping create a tight-knit atmosphere where everyone looks out for each other’s safety and well-being.
This tight-knit atmosphere has helped drive down crime rates significantly over the years - making Riverdale one of NYC's go-to neighborhoods for safety seekers looking to move into the area.
