Often I get asked "Pleasantville? Like the movie?" I reply "yes, only in color". With a population of just over 7,000 and an area of less than 2 square miles, Pleasantville is small yet highly desirable. Located in central Westchester, just 45 minutes from mid-town Manhattan. It's small size does not even warrant school bussing, making it a walking community. All children either walk or are dropped off at school. The Pleasantville schools always rank among the best schools in the country, but one of the things that impressed me most is that every morning (rain, shine, snow or sleet) the school superintendent was there to greet each and every child as they were dropped off. Though we only lived 2 blocks from the school, many times we would drive our children to school. Deep down inside, I think we did it because it felt so special dropping our children off and seeing the school superintendent welcoming them with a big smile and a warm greeting.
Each year (in May) this small and close-knit community celebrates Pleasantville Day. The day starts off with practically all village residents parading down Bedford Road, a street lined with old Victorian homes. We were fortunate enough to own and live in one of these old homes and always felt that our front porch was like holding front row seats to this and several other spectacular parades during the year (other parades included the Memorial Day parade, fireman's parade and ragamuffin parade). The parade would be greeted at Memorial Plaza (village center) with games, rides, music, clubs and local vendors. The day usually ends with a spectacular fireworks show or outdoor movie at the sports fields on Marble Ave.
These fields are also home to the annual Pleasantville Music Festival where performers like Joan Osborne, Graham Parker and other less known bands play. Attendance exceeds 6,000 making it like an overgrown family picnic to music.
On not so special occasions, local residents tend to frequent the local gourmet coffee shops, restaurants and even a 50's styled soda shop. In the evenings, one of my favorite things is movie going at the Jacob Burns Film Center - a fine arts film center where it's not uncommon to see or meet famous celebrities like George Clooney, Selma Hayek, Ron Howard, Glen Close and Woody Allen just to name a few. The film center has been so successful, that they are building a 26,000 square foot film production and educational center.
Many people say, "but the houses are so expensive and the taxes so high". I tell them, "if you want to buy a house, you're right. But if you want to buy a home, a community, a great place for your family, you can't afford not to live here". So whether it's the parades, the schools, commute to the city, local shops, music festival, theater or old Victorian homes, I'm sure you will love Pleasantville.
Pleasantville, it's real and in color!
Pleasantville Links:
That's a neat/ fun marketing tool that you have.
Gene Krueger
Realistic Endeavors
Peter,
I ran across your blog as I was searching. Pleasantville caught my eye since I grew up near Pleasantville, PA near where Col Drake discover oil in 1859. I remember many historic trips around the area where I grew up. Your Pleasantville is more upscale than rural PA. I agree with Gene that yours in a great marketing too. Have fun blogging.
Gene, thank you, I've enjoyed living in Pleasantville, NY for 12 years now. As a result, I never thought of it as a marketing tool even though all along I must have known that it was because it's just a great town.
Mary, thanks, I guess we are not the only Pleasantville in the US and I don't know if any one Pleasantville is better than another, but this one is great for sure!
Thanks for you post -- you make me want to visit (very enticing!).
Li
Peter, I think the trivia I know about Pleasantville, is isn't that where the Reader's Digest is headquartered???
Peter, you sure lead an exciting life with all those movie stars AND our own Bill Clinton as a neighbor! I'm envious! : )
Li, you should come to visit. Not only can you enjoy Pleasantville, but you're less than an hour from Manhattan (Broadway Shows, etc.)
Gary, yes, you're right. Pleasantville has been the home to Reades Digest headquarters since 1922. They've moved most of their operations in nearby Chappaqua, but still maintain the Pleasantville address.
Barbara, I have to say it is great, I guess Bill and Hillary think so as well otherwise they would have stayed in Arkensas :-) just kidding, but it is a great town and anyone contemplating moving here is entitled to know that. Thanks.
Peter- Great post-It is a great twist on the typical "why this community is great" marketing. Your love of the community is warm and genuine- Once the word is out.... I think you will have an increase in your population of 7,000.
Barbara, thank you, I think you're right, our population will increase. There is a limit though since the land has a limitation, there is virtually no buildable land at this time and I don't see any scryscapers going up in pleasantville anytime soon.
Great information about your town. How fun to run into the celebs. It's amazing how small town it sounds even though it's right next to such a busy busy place!
Pam, thank you, that's one of the things that make it desirable, because it's a small town yet close to New York City.
Who is in that picture... George Clooney? I just love it!... Say HELLO from me. LOL
I've got great personality Peter -:)
Arina, yep, that's George Clooney :-) yes, I think you do have a great personality, you just proved it ;-)
yeah....i seem to remember just a blog or two ago saying you should do a blog about pleasantville/movie....and your town....guess i wasn't the only one..theres an albanian/realtor group on active rain? oh my! lol
Liz, I'm so proud of my town, I just couldn't resist :-) why, yes there is an Albanian Realtor group on AR, why not? :-) . . . maybe one day we'll have a Croatian realtor group . . . hint.