Top Neighborhoods
Mount Vernon isn't a one-size-fits-all city. Choosing between its neighborhoods is the difference between a 10-minute commute and a 30-minute nightmare, or between $1,800 rent and a mortgage that keeps you up at night.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Mount Vernon
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gramatan Hill | Upscale, quiet | $2,600-$3,400 | Executives, families | ~65 |
| North Side | Urban, bustling | $1,700-$2,200 | Budget-conscious commuters | ~85 |
| South Side | Historic, leafy | $1,900-$2,600 | Families, space-seekers | ~70 |
| Pine Manor | Suburban, sleepy | $2,100-$2,800 | Young families, remote workers | ~55 |
| Downtown MV | Transitional, gritty | $1,400-$1,900 | Artists, deal-hunters | ~90 |
Gramatan Hill
Overview: The city's prestige address, centered around the historic Gramatan Hotel and the rolling greens of the Mount Vernon Country Club. Think stately brick colonials and manicured lawns along Gramatan Avenue.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $2,600 - $3,400/mo (1BR) | $3,200 - $4,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $650k - $850k
- 🚗 Commute: 25 min to Midtown Manhattan | 15 min to White Plains
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~65 (Some errands doable, mostly car-dependent)
Local Intel: The secret? You're 5 minutes from Bronxville's restaurants but pay Mount Vernon taxes. Traffic on Gramatan Avenue backs up during rush hour—use MacQuesten Park as your cut-through. The Mount Vernon Country Club is private, but the surrounding streets are perfect for evening walks.
Who Thrives Here: Established professionals with kids who want space without leaving Westchester. Also ideal for Manhattan commuters who can afford the Metro-North from Bronxville but want a slightly larger property.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Crime rate ~40% below city average (275/100k vs 456/100k)
- ✅ Proximity to Bronxville's amenities without Bronxville prices
- ❌ Property taxes are brutal (often $18k-$25k annually)
- ❌ Limited walkable dining—expect to drive for everything
Schools: Mount Vernon City School District (below average), but many residents opt for private or send kids to Bronxville schools via tuition. A.F. Kearney Elementary is the local pick.
The Verdict: Move here if you need a big house and good schools are secondary. Avoid if you want walkability or lower tax bills.
North Side
Overview: The beating heart of Mount Vernon, running along the 4th Avenue corridor and anchored by the historic Lincoln Hotel building. This is dense, urban living with real subway access.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,700 - $2,200/mo (1BR) | $2,200 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $420k - $520k
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to Grand Central via 4th Ave subway | 12 min to Bronx Zoo
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~85 (Car-free living is viable)
Local Intel: The 4th Avenue subway station is your lifeline to Manhattan. The area around 4th Ave & MacQuesten Park can get sketchy after midnight—stick to the main corridors. The Westchester County Center hosts concerts and events, creating weekend traffic. Food-wise, the halal carts on 4th Ave are legitimately great.
Who Thrives Here: Service industry workers, young professionals, and anyone who needs to be in Manhattan daily without Manhattan rent. Also great for Bronx commuters (you're right there).
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best transit access in the city (subway + multiple bus lines)
- ✅ Most diverse restaurant scene (Caribbean, Dominican, West African)
- ❌ Noise pollution from I-95 and the subway line
- ❌ Crime rate hovers at city average; property crime is higher near commercial strips
Schools: Mount Vernon High School is here—performance is below average but improving. Not a dealbreaker for renters, but families should research specific schools.
The Verdict: Your best bet for car-free NYC commuting. Avoid if you need quiet, green space, or have school-age kids you're picky about.
South Side
Overview: Historic district vibes with tree-lined streets and larger single-family homes. Centered around the St. Paul's Church National Historic Site and the quiet residential grid south of Elinor Park.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,900 - $2,600/mo (1BR) | $2,600 - $3,300/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $480k - $600k
- 🚗 Commute: 22 min to Midtown | 18 min to Stamford, CT
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~70 (Walkable to some parks, car needed for groceries)
Local Intel: The area around St. Paul's Church is incredibly peaceful and safe. The real hidden gem is the Mount Vernon Public Library branch here—it's one of the best in the county. Avoid the blocks immediately adjacent to the Hutchinson River Parkway; noise and cut-through traffic are issues.
Who Thrives Here: Families who want a backyard and quiet streets but can't afford Gramatan Hill. Also popular with older residents downsizing from larger Westchester towns.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ More green space and larger lots than North Side
- ✅ Lower crime than city average, especially violent crime
- ❌ Fewer dining/nightlife options (you'll drive to New Rochelle or Bronxville)
- ❌ Transit is bus-only (no subway); commute is 35-45 min to Manhattan
Schools: Mount Vernon schools are average to below average, but the South Side has some of the district's better elementary schools (think Lincoln Elementary).
The Verdict: Ideal for families prioritizing space and safety over nightlife. Not for you if you need subway access or want to walk to restaurants.
Pine Manor
Overview: The city's suburban outlier, tucked away in the northeast corner. Feels more like Scarsdale than Mount Vernon, with winding roads and 1950s split-levels.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $2,100 - $2,800/mo (1BR) | $2,800 - $3,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $550k - $700k
- 🚗 Commute: 30 min to Midtown | 10 min to White Plains
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: You're essentially in the Bronx River basin—quiet, but isolated. The Hutchinson River Parkway is your only real artery, and it's a parking lot during rush hour. The Mount Vernon Country Club's practice range is nearby, which is a nice amenity if you're a golfer. No real "downtown" here; you drive to either Scarsdale or downtown MV.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who want suburban peace without Westchester's highest price tag. Also good for White Plains commuters who can tolerate the Hutchinson Parkway.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lowest crime rates in Mount Vernon (feels like a different city)
- ✅ Larger properties and more privacy
- ❌ Isolated—requires a car for literally everything
- ❌ No walkable restaurants, shops, or transit
Schools: Mount Vernon schools, but the area feeds into some of the district's better-performing elementary schools. Still, most Pine Manor families send kids to private.
The Verdict: Pick this if you want a suburban lifestyle on a Westchester budget and work remotely or drive to White Plains. Avoid if you need transit, nightlife, or walkability.
Downtown Mount Vernon
Overview: The city's gritty, transitional core, centered on the 4th Avenue commercial corridor and the under-construction Metro-North station (yes, it's finally happening). Think pre-war walkups and mixed-use buildings.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,400 - $1,900/mo (1BR) | $1,900 - $2,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $450k
- 🚗 Commute: 20 min to Grand Central (when Metro-North opens) | 10 min to Bronx
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~90 (Truly walkable)
Local Intel: The Metro-North station at 4th Ave &MacQuesten Park is slated to open 2025—buy now before prices jump. The area around the Westchester County Center is safe and busy, but head east toward the Bronx River and it gets dicey fast. The 4th Ave shopping corridor has solid bodegas and the occasional great restaurant, but it's inconsistent.
Who Thrives Here: Artists, young creatives, and speculators betting on the Metro-North station. Also ideal for Bronx commuters who want to live in Westchester without the price tag.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Cheapest rents in Mount Vernon
- ✅ Future-proofed by incoming Metro-North station
- ❌ Crime is the highest in the city (especially property crime)
- ❌ Gentrification is slow; expect construction chaos and empty storefronts
Schools: Mount Vernon schools are below average here. Not a family-friendly zone unless you're opting for private.
The Verdict: Buy or rent here if you're betting on future appreciation from Metro-North and can tolerate current grit. Avoid if you have kids or need immediate amenities.
Final Advice
For young professionals who need Manhattan access, North Side is your clear winner—subway beats Metro-North for daily reliability. Families who prioritize space and safety over transit should target South Side or Gramatan Hill, but brace for property taxes that can double your mortgage. Remote workers wanting suburbia without Scarsdale prices should choose Pine Manor. If you're an investor or artist who can handle the current chaos, Downtown Mount Vernon is the only neighborhood with real upside potential. The Hutchinson River Parkway is your enemy during rush hour—anywhere you live, learn the back roads through Bronxville or New Rochelle to escape it.