Nicknamed "The Central City" and "The Sixth Borough" because of its proximity to New York City's five boroughs, Yonkers is the fourth largest city in the state of New York behind New York City, Buffalo and Rochester and is also where the first game of golf was played in the U.S. in 1888. Yonkers borders the Bronx and is located only two miles from Manhattan and the city encourages year-round recreational facilities with 36 tennis courts and 50 outdoor basketball courts, among many parks and other recreational areas. The Hudson River Autumn Festival draws more than 30,000 tourists every year.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Yonkers. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Yonkers Climate
New York City has a widely varying climate that differs depending on where you are located. For example, the mild temperatures tend to mirror those of surrounding suburban areas in New Jersey and Connecticut, with high temperatures and high humidity in the summer months and chilly, windy weather during the winter with scattered snowstorms.
However, the city typically experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year, with the weather and temperatures remaining more temperate and mild during the fall and spring seasons than in the hot summers and cold winters. Snowfall in the city is common during the winter, although it doesn't tend to remain on the ground for very long and large accumulations are possible on rare occasions.
Yonkers Geography and Neighborhoods
While Yonkers is comprised of more than 37 different neighborhoods, communities and conclaves, the city is mainly broken down into four regions: Northeast Yonkers, Northwest Yonkers, Southeast Yonkers and Southwest Yonkers. Each of these four areas of the city is culturally and economically diverse, with each one being characterized by its location and the residents who inhabit the area. For example, Northeast Yonkers is primarily inhabited by Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans and is a mostly suburban area characterized by a greater number of upscale homes than other parts of the city.
Northwest Yonkers features many older, Victorian-era homes and "the north end" has an abundance of retail stores and food shopping locations. Southeast Yonkers, like the Northeast section, is also mainly Irish-American and Italian-American and is also the area of Yonkers that is located closest to the Bronx. Southwest Yonkers is the portion of the city that has faced the most economic and political challenges and is currently undergoing revitalization similar to nearby areas like Harlem and Brooklyn, areas which have also faced similar challenges in the past few decades.
Living Costs in the City
Yonkers' close proximity to New York City significantly contributes to the city's high cost of living. The New York City metropolitan area remains one of the most expensive places in the country to live, if not the most expensive, with very high average rent payments and higher-than-average real estate prices to match the competitive nature of the New York City metropolitan area. Rent remains very high throughout most of Yonkers and the various living expenses such as transportation, food and utilities runs much higher in New York City area than almost anywhere else in the country. The median family income in Yonkers is $61,882, which is higher than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Yonkers is around $400,000, extremely high and well above the national average, but on par with the high real estate prices that exist throughout the New York City metropolitan area, including most of Connecticut and New Jersey suburbs as well. Although the area is undergoing a major revitalization that is aiming to turn things around, it is still hard to live affordably in Yonkers.
Registering Your Car
Upon your arrival in New York after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty. The state of New York also has laws in place that require your vehicle to pass standard emissions tests prior to registering your car. Also, you must provide proof of insurance that is valid in the state of New York.
A New York Driver's License can be obtained at any New York DMV location. The state requires new New York residents to update their license from their previous state to a New York driver's license. You may be required to pass several tests prior to receiving your new license. Also, there is a $10 fee to update your driver's license.
Yonkers Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Yonkers, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in New York. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Yonkers Schools
The Yonkers public education system is operated by the Yonkers Public School district and in addition to the education provided by the public elementary, middle and high schools located throughout the city, as well as their award-winning magnet school - Martin Luther King Jr. High Tech and Computer, Yonkers is also home to several notable institutions of higher learning. Some of those colleges include Sarah Lawrence College, Westchester Community College, and Mercy College, as well as several private and charter schools.
Yonkers Employment
The largest employers in Yonkers are: Consolidated Edison Co., Marx Realty & Improv Co Inc., Bell Atlantic and Aclinis Association. Yonkers is also home to two outstanding hospitals: St. John's Riverside Hospital and one of the oldest nursing schools in the nation, St. Joseph's Medical Center.
The current unemployment rate is right around 8.2 percent as of March 2013, slightly higher than the unemployment rate in New York City, while the job growth rate is on the rise at 5.38 percent. Yonkers' proximity to Manhattan allows for the city to thrive economically, as it's located in one of the most prosperous economic regions in the country.
Public Transportation
Yonkers offers a good public transportation system with four Hudson Line and Metro-North Railroad stations which provide service to New York City and all surrounding areas. Amtrak also serves the city with a stop at the Yonkers station. The Bee Line Bus System operated by Westchester County provides the bus transportation for the Yonkers area as well. Yonkers currently has the eighth-highest rate of public transit ridership among all of the cities in the United States.
Culture and Contemporary Life
There are many things to do and see in Yonkers, and the fact that it's only a short bus ride, train ride, or car ride away from New York City makes it even more appealing for the thrill-seekers and adventure seekers looking for a good time. The Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is a relatively new casino featuring electronic slot machine gambling, to go along with the race track where you can bet on harness racing. Also, the Central Ave. area of the city features numerous commercial shopping areas popular with residents and visitors.
Moving to Yonkers
Whatever your reasons for moving to Yonkers, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Yonkers is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.