It’s hard to believe that you can find anywhere close to NYC that doesn’t feel like the crowded streets of Manhattan, but then again, a lot of people forget about the city’s sixth unofficial borough. Driving or walking through Yonkers is like stepping back into a mini-time machine. It may feel like 20 or so odd years behind Manhattan’s trend curve, but there’s a lot to love about the city! Most notably, Yonkers is great for weekend warriors and those who love cities with a splash of nature thrown in. You can run in Tibbets Park, take in nature in Untermeyer, enjoy a peaceful moment in Lenoir Preserve, or just go downtown and take in the view from the Hudson. All this comes with just a 30-40 minute train ride into the city if you choose to commute.  

We know it’s not in the mountains or anything, but the seven hills on which Yonkers is built are no joke. And in the winter? You’re in for a snowy surprise. Yonkers is known by residents for not having the most attentive snow removal services. Yes, there are bad drivers in any weather, but the hills combined with the snow and ice make Yonkers a winter driving nightmare. To make the winter a little less miserable, grab some snow tires and leave a little extra room when driving around town.
Ute ride to Grand Central Terminal. The ability to access the Hudson Valley is great as well. 




It’s an NYC oasis

LookyLOO Review of Yonkers 

Yonkers is a commuter city. There is the 20 bus that can get you almost everywhere you want to go. While locals commute by bus and train for work, it would be difficult to live in the city without a car. Most of the people who live here commute into Manhattan for work, and they love being able to leave the craziness of the city behind and find respite in cozy Yonkers. The variety of neighborhoods and homes reflects the diversity of the city. You can find large mansions in Northeast Yonkers and then find an apartment close to everything you need in Dunwoodie. 

To see what locals get up to for fun in Yonkers, check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.burbio.com/lists/yonkers-community-calendar). 

We highly recommend visiting Yonkers and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle

Yonkers is in an interesting place, work-wise, because of its reputation as a commuter city. Many of the residents choose to live in Yonkers instead of Manhattan for peace and quiet, but it means that there aren’t many large corporations or headquarters in the city. If you ask locals, that’s the best part about it! The largest employer is Yonkers Raceway, a city landmark originally famous for horse racing that eventually became the Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino.


Worklife 

As Manhattan continues to price out young professionals and young families, more and more people are turning to Yonkers to get more value for their money. If you find yourself getting frustrated by the clogged NYC streets, Yonkers might just be the place for you. 

The Value Borough

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**MrSmithLDN**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I live 4 miles north in Dobbs Ferry but go to Yonkers several times a week for shopping and biking/running on the South County Trail. Yonkers covers a large area and is very diverse, from tree lined avenues with older houses to the modern apartments along the river near the northern border with Hastings. If you have the time, riding a bike along the South County Trail is a lovely (green) outing deep in the woods. There are some very nice houses around Bryn Mawr (Palmer Rd). The southwest part of town has older, dense development and is more industrial but there is an excellent 24 hour bakery (Orza) in New Main St. also, Yonkers is one of the few locations in Westchester with frequent bus service on a number of routes. The BeeLine runs modern buses and has good and frequent connections to the MTA #1 line at Van Cortland/242nd st. I want to visit the Hudson River Museum and the Untermyer Gardens. Lastly, I think it’s fair to say that the people of Yonkers have a welcoming attitude to newcomers. Mayor Spanno has said (I’m paraphrasing) that we’re all immigrants!

For more reviews of what living in Yonkers is like from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/yonkers/reviews).





Reviews of Yonkers from Locals

Although Yonkers doesn’t have the feel of a traditional college town, it’s still home to Sarah Lawrence College and many students choose to live in the city as opposed to commuting in from NYC. This area feels like the Bronx, so it’s great for people who want walkability, convenience, and easy access to restaurants and bars. 
- Dunwoodie


College Students

Dunwoodie

Young Professionals are going to want to move to a neighborhood that has easy access to the trains into the city. There are enough high rises close to train stops that you’ll be close to your commute as well as as your new favorite restaurants and breweries. 
- Ludlow Park
- Getty Square
- Woodlawn Heights


Young Professionals

Ludlow Park

For young families, Yonkers will feel like a suburb without having to give up your dream job in downtown Manhattan. There are plenty of neighborhoods that have a range of home sizes, from smaller starter homes with plenty of yard space (compared to other boroughs). 
- Crestwood
- Nepera Park
- Glenwood


Young Families

Crestwood

Families with older kids are going to appreciate the larger homes that come at a ridiculously low price tag compared to other boroughs. Keeping close to the city means you don’t sacrifice the amenities of nice parks, shopping centers, and more.
- Lawrence Park West
- Crestwood
- Beech Hill


Established Families

Lawrence Park West

Yonkers

**Sublimebaby**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I have lived on the waterfront for the past 6 years (still there). I’m in the older “luxury” buildings so the prices are more reasonable then the brand new ones. I love it. I’m seconds from the entrance to metro north. I feel safe. But honestly the farther you get from the train station, idk but that’s more about being a lady and not as much foot traffic. Never had any significant building issues.

So I guess your mileage will vary. Obviously everyone has an opinion.

I’m a married childless 40 yo.

**MrSmithLDN**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I live 4 miles north in Dobbs Ferry but go to Yonkers several times a week for shopping and biking/running on the South County Trail. Yonkers covers a large area and is very diverse, from tree lined avenues with older houses to the modern apartments along the river near the northern border with Hastings. If you have the time, riding a bike along the South County Trail is a lovely (green) outing deep in the woods. There are some very nice houses around Bryn Mawr (Palmer Rd). The southwest part of town has older, dense development and is more industrial but there is an excellent 24 hour bakery (Orza) in New Main St. also, Yonkers is one of the few locations in Westchester with frequent bus service on a number of routes. The BeeLine runs modern buses and has good and frequent connections to the MTA #1 line at Van Cortland/242nd st. I want to visit the Hudson River Museum and the Untermyer Gardens. Lastly, I think it’s fair to say that the people of Yonkers have a welcoming attitude to newcomers. Mayor Spanno has said (I’m paraphrasing) that we’re all immigrants!

**foreverkristina**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Omg my sister lives here and I’m at her place all the time! She’s at Alexander Crossing the newest property it’s absolutely gorgeous however overall neighborhood has pros and cons

Pros

Gorgeous building and all of the amenities are perfect other than the pool which is on year 2 of not being renovated!

Close to metro north

Relatively safe never felt weird walking home late night just be aware

Cons

Awful food options if you’re someone who doesn’t drive you’re in trouble because Uber eats and door dash is trash 🚮 in this area I live in an older building walking distance from the area and it’s not great at all!

Supermarkets - the shop rite is the only real grocery store in the area and it is an absolutely nightmare again needing the car you’re gonna have to drive out

I feel Yonkers wants to make this area place a mini Manhattan but it falls short you’re still very adjacent to the hood and although the area is still developing I’m not sure how long it will take to be up to par with white plains or downtown Stamford

Yonkers, New York

The Forgotten Borough

Looklyloo Score: 89