Situated within the heart of New York's Westchester County -- an area that made quite a few headlines recently as President Bill and Hillary Clinton focused their house-hunting efforts here -- Rye, New York, enjoys a wealth of natural beauty and a location just 30 miles northeast of New York City. Approximately 15,000 people call this quaint community home. Heavily treed and lined with sprawling residences, Rye offers the best of everything: quality education, a low crime rate, high property values (which may rise even further thanks to the arrival of the Clintons in Westchester County and the media scrutiny that is sure to descend on the area soon) and access to the businesses and the cultural opportunities of the Big Apple. An efficient public transportation system shuttles Rye commuters in and out of New York City on a daily basis. Connecticut also is a short distance away, accessible by a network of highways.

Rye is the oldest town is Westchester County. Its history dates back to 1660, when the first settlers arrived here and established a quiet farming and fishing community. The "Town of Rye" was established with official boundaries in 1788, and in 1904, Rye was officially incorporated as a village. In 1942, that status was elevated to "city."

While times have changed and Rye's economy has grown and diversified, its quaint New England flavor remains. This waterfront community boasts views of Long Island Sound. Residents enjoy proximity to beaches as well as wooded areas, more than 75 acres of immaculate parks and a village green. Newcomers are attracted to Rye's reputation for excellence in public education; its school system is revered for its innovative programs and successful graduates. From gifted students to learning disabled students to physically challenged students, Rye's school system offers proven programs that meet the unique needs of a diverse population. Rye has three elementary schools, all of which have received numerous academic awards. The 20-acre grounds of the Rye High School campus resemble a Gothic university quad. Nearly 95 percent of "Rye High" graduates go on to college following their graduation. Several excellent private schools are available, as well, including the coeducational Rye Country Day School, situated on a picturesque campus that rivals that of Rye High School.

Residents don't have to venture into the Big Apple to take advantage of entertainment and shopping opportunities. Head to Purchase Street in Rye, and you'll find several retail shops offering something for every taste. Kids young and old can take advantage of the newly opened SciencePort and the Rye Playland Amusement Park. With so many acres of parks, golf fanatics are in heaven in Rye. Several top-quality golf courses are located in and around the city. Among the most respected course is the Rye Golf Club, an 18-hole course situated on an historic, 19th century estate. Avid hikers can take advantage of the beautiful trails winding through the Rye Nature Center. Rye also boasts plenty of cultural opportunities, from its active community theater to its performing arts center and periodic writers' and artists' forums. The State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY), located nearby, offers all of the cultural advantages of university life, from a topnotch orchestra to art exhibits, theater and dance productions and more.

If you read the stories about the home that the First Family ultimately selected in Westchester County, then you know that its asking price was in the seven figures. So you're probably guessing that prices in this neck of the woods are high, and you're right. While you'll certainly be able to find yourself a nice home for less than the Clintons, you're still going to find an abundance of asking prices well into the hundreds of thousands -- and millions.

The most expensive properties have views of the Manhattan skyline as well as beachfront property. It's the best of all possible worlds ... and it'll cost you. If you're like most of us, and a $4 million or $5 million home is slightly out of your financial reach, you'll also find plenty of condominiums and single-family homes ranging in style from ranch to Tudor, and priced in the $200s and $300s.

Rye offers a window to one of the fastest-paced cities in the world. Residents take in dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline, but from a comfortable and comparatively quieter distance. While home prices are high, they haven't caught up to the Big Apple. Those who reside here enjoy pristine beaches and the peace and quiet of a quaint New England village, and when the urge strikes, bold, brash New York City is but a short drive or train ride away. It's another world from the city that never sleeps, but residents wouldn't have it any other way.

Published: September 20, 1999

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