Neighborhood of the Week: Briarcliff Manor

Tucked away along the scenic Hudson River Valley is the beautiful, and affluent, village of Briarcliff Manor.  Located in Westchester County, it's a small village with nearly 8000 residents (according to the 2010 census) and lies about 30 miles north of Manhattan, so it's a great town to consider moving to if you're looking to relocate from the Big Apple.

Briarcliff Manor

Downtown Briarcliff Manor

Nearby is the hamlet, Pocantico Hills.  It's a really tiny area -- only about 85 people live there -- but it's home to a gorgeous park, quaint stone church, and provides a respite for those who love to commune with nature.

Pocantico Hills

The Rockefellers have a home there in Kykuit, which is now an historic landmark and would be a great place to take the kids for a weekend visit!

Kykuit Estate

Some other wealthy residents of Briarcliff Manor have included Brooke Astor, Dorothy Draper,  and the Vanderbilts.  With its rolling country estates, the gorgeous Hudson River Valley and the bounty of country clubs and golf clubs, it's easy to see why this village appeals to so many.

Education:  Briarcliff Manor is home to an award-winning school district:  Briarcliff High School was ranked #301 out on Newsweek Magazine's Top 1200 High School List in 2008.  It's also home to one of Pace University's campuses.

The Briarcliff Union Free School District serves grades K-12 and consists of:  Todd Elementary School, Briarcliff Middle School and Briarcliff High School.  Briarcliff Middle School was a 2005 "Blue Ribbon School."

Briarcliff Manor High School

The Pocantico Hills Central School is a public school with less than 300 students, that serves grades pre-K through 8.

Pocantico Hills Central School

Pace University maintains a campus in the Pleasantville-Briarcliff neighborhood, in addition to its main campus in Manhattan.

Pace University- Pleasantville-Briarcliff Campus

Entertainment: Golf clubs, country clubs and nature centers abound in this village -- and in neighboring cities -- so if you love golf, you really can't pick a better place than Briarcliff Manor.  There's Trump National Golf Club, the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and the Executive Golf Course in nearby Scarborough.

Trump National Golf Course

2009 Demographics:  Median household income $177,462.  Mean house/condo value $747,089.  Mean house/condo price $828,468.  (Values c/o of City-Data.com)

Commute:  Average commute is 37.2 minutes.

Metro North Train Commute:  Scarborough Train Station to Grand Central commute is 42 minutes

Fun Facts:  Sleepy Hollow Road is the road associated with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.