There is no single best area to live in Westchester County, NY. The right location depends on what matters most to you, including commute time, rental budget, walkability, access to Metro-North, restaurants, shopping, outdoor recreation, and the amount of living space you want.
For renters, White Plains, Yonkers, the Hudson River villages, Ossining, and Peekskill are all popular options, with each area offering a different Westchester lifestyle.
What Is the Best Area of Westchester County to Live In?
A simple way to compare Westchester is by the type of lifestyle you want:
- White Plains: Best suited to renters looking for a walkable downtown and convenient commuting.
- Yonkers: Offers proximity to New York City with a large and varied rental market.
- Hastings-on-Hudson and Hudson River villages: Combine village character, outdoor recreation, restaurants, and access to the Hudson River corridor.
- Ossining: Offers riverfront scenery, Metro-North access, recreation, and a mix of suburban and village living.
- Peekskill: Provides a northern Westchester option with a downtown, Hudson River waterfront, Metro-North access, and generally more distance from New York City.
The best choice depends on whether you prioritize a shorter commute, downtown convenience, waterfront surroundings, more space, or rental affordability.
White Plains: Best for Downtown Living and Commuting
White Plains is one of the strongest choices in Westchester County for renters who want an urban-style environment without living in New York City.
Downtown White Plains provides access to restaurants, shopping, entertainment, offices, parks, major highways, and the Metro-North Railroad.
For commuters, proximity to the White Plains Metro-North station is one of the city’s biggest advantages. It allows residents to reach Manhattan while still enjoying the space and amenities associated with suburban Westchester living.
GDC Rentals offers apartment communities at City Square in downtown White Plains, including 1 Martine and The Metro, both located within easy walking distance of the Metro-North station.
Yonkers: Best for NYC Proximity and Rental Variety
Yonkers is a strong option for renters who want to remain close to New York City while living in Westchester County.
As Westchester’s largest city, Yonkers offers a wide variety of neighborhoods, apartment styles, restaurants, shopping, parks, waterfront areas, and transportation options.
Its southern location can be particularly convenient for people who regularly travel into Manhattan, the Bronx, or other parts of lower Westchester.
For apartment hunters, the size of the Yonkers rental market also means there can be more choices in terms of location, apartment size, building style, and monthly rent.
Hastings-on-Hudson: Best for Village Living and More Space
Hastings-on-Hudson is a good choice for renters looking for a smaller Westchester village atmosphere with access to the Hudson River corridor.
The village offers restaurants, local businesses, outdoor recreation, and convenient connections to surrounding Westchester communities.
GDC’s The Lofts on Saw Mill River offers spacious loft-style residences with high ceilings and oversized windows as well as direct access to the South County Trailway.
For renters who value additional living space and outdoor recreation but still want access to southern Westchester and New York City, Hastings-on-Hudson can provide an appealing balance.
Ossining: Best for Hudson River Living and Metro-North Access
Ossining combines Hudson River scenery with a traditional Westchester village environment.
Residents have access to parks, restaurants, recreation, local businesses, and Metro-North service, making Ossining worth considering for renters who want to live along the Hudson without being as far north as Peekskill.
Its location can offer a balance between access to New York City and the quieter environment found farther north in Westchester.
Peekskill: Best for Northern Westchester and Waterfront Living
Peekskill is one of the most distinctive rental options in northern Westchester County.
The city has a downtown restaurant and arts scene, Hudson River waterfront, parks, recreation, and Metro-North service.
Because Peekskill is farther north, commuters should compare travel times with communities such as White Plains, Yonkers, or the Rivertowns. However, renters who prioritize northern Westchester, outdoor recreation, river views, or potentially more apartment for their budget may want to include Peekskill in their search.
GDC’s Fort Hill Apartments provides another option for renters considering the Peekskill area, including transportation access to the Peekskill Metro-North station.
Is Southern or Northern Westchester Better?
Neither is inherently better. They offer different advantages.
Southern and central Westchester generally provide easier access to New York City and include major employment, shopping, transportation, dining, and entertainment centers such as White Plains and Yonkers.
Northern Westchester generally offers a less urban environment, more access to nature and recreation, and communities farther from New York City.
For many renters, the decision comes down to a tradeoff between commute time, monthly rent, apartment size, and preferred surroundings.
What Part of Westchester Is Best for Commuting to NYC?
For renters who commute regularly to Manhattan, White Plains, Yonkers, and communities along Metro-North’s Hudson Line are worth comparing.
A property’s distance from the train station can be just as important as the town itself. Before choosing an apartment, compare:
- Distance to Metro-North
- Train schedules and travel times
- Parking or station access
- Walking distance to the station
- Access to major highways
- Frequency of your commute
GDC has Westchester apartment communities with access to Metro-North and major highways, including properties in downtown White Plains and communities along the Hudson River corridor.
What Is the Best Place to Live in Westchester Without a Car?
Downtown White Plains is one of the first areas renters should consider if walkability and public transportation are priorities.
Restaurants, shopping, services, entertainment, employment centers, and Metro-North are concentrated around the downtown area.
Westchester’s Hudson River villages can also provide walkable environments near restaurants, local businesses, parks, and train stations, although walkability varies considerably by neighborhood and individual property.
Which Westchester Area Is Right for You?
If you are deciding where to rent in Westchester County, consider these questions:
Want a walkable downtown and easy train access?
Start with White Plains.
Want to stay as close to New York City as possible?
Consider Yonkers.
Want a village environment and additional living space?
Explore Hastings-on-Hudson.
Want Hudson River scenery and convenient rail access?
Look at Ossining.
Want a northern Westchester location with waterfront recreation and a downtown environment?
Consider Peekskill.
Ultimately, the best place to live in Westchester County is the community that best matches your commute, budget, apartment needs, and preferred lifestyle.
Find Apartments for Rent in Westchester County
GDC Rentals offers apartments throughout Westchester County in White Plains, Yonkers, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ossining, and Peekskill, giving renters several different locations and lifestyles to compare.
Whether you are looking for a downtown apartment close to Metro-North, a spacious loft-style residence, a Hudson River community, or a northern Westchester apartment, GDC makes it easy to compare locations, floor plans, amenities, and current availability.
Explore GDC Rentals’ available Westchester apartments and find the location that fits the way you want to live.