7.0 out of 10

Lake Peekskill

41.3388977525438 -73.8840012292954
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
  • Shopping Options
  • Eating Out
  • Nightlife
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
  • Retirees
  • Professionals
  • LGBT+

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Affordable Water-Front Living: Small but Definitely Special!"

Here are three facts about this community: Lake Peekskill is a hamlet in Putnam Valley. It shares a name with a more well-known town in another county, but is not really near Peekskill. And the lake is not so much a lake, as a reservoir! The unusual details all add up to create a picture of this small residential neighborhood.

The central focus here is definitely the lake - all residents have access to the three private beaches and can get boat tags to maintain a boat. This water-front lifestyle is within a one hour drive from Manhattan and the average prices are in the $300,000 range making it seem affordable compared to the price tags in Westchester County. The flip side is that Lake Peekskill is not a typical suburb for those looking for malls within 10 minute driving distance and multiple Starbucks around town. This is more along the lines of a serene setting where one can commune with Mother Nature.

If this sounds attractive to you, then you'll find that all the amenities are within a reasonable driving distance. Lake Peekskill is fairly close to Mohegan Lake, Cortlandt Manor and Jefferson Valley all of which are places with shopping and dining options.

The Lake Peekskill children attend the Putnam Valley School District which has a total of about 2000 kids from kindergarten through 12th grade. The schools in this system have developed a strong reputation for offering more than the bare minimum academic courses.

Lake Peekskill used to be a summer destination for New York City residents not long ago - if the idea of making a summer getaway your year round residence holds appeal, you should check out Lake Peekskill at the earliest possible!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Pretty and peaceful lakeside hamlet."

Lake Peekskill is a completely residential lakeside hamlet within the parent town of Putnam Valley in Putnam County, NY. It is very tranquil and quite secluded and one should really desire to live a quiet, somewhat private and unhurried existence. That being said, it isn’t exactly isolated, either. You do have some amenities in Putnam Valley and plenty more to choose from in nearby Mohegan Lake, Jefferson Valley, Garrison and Cortlandt Manor.

Lake Peekskill only has one eatery to speak of, the Lakeside Market & Deli on Lake Drive which has a great view of the lake and equally great pizza. Putnam Valley has Forno III Brick Oven Pizzeria, Spruce Hill Inn, Panda Garden and Richy’s Pub Grub. For yet more dining options, you only have to go an additional two miles into Mohegan Lake where you will discover Augies Prime Cut Restaurant & Bar, Café Pizazz and Pizza Pizzaz, Hanada Hibachi, Brodie’s Pub, Piazza Roma, Baskin Robbins, Napoli’s Pizza and Restaurant, Panera Bread and Mohegan Diner.

Lake Peekskill has no stores or businesses, but you are only 3.9 miles from the popular Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights which has all the favorite staples plus a huge food court. Also within reasonable respective driving distances are Walmart and The Home Depot in Mohegan Lake (about 2.2 miles away), Kohl’s and Marshalls in Cortlandt Manor (about 2.3 miles away) and a few dollar stores and a Walgreens in Peekskill (about 3 miles away).

Cortlandt Town Center Stadium 11 in Mohegan Lake (about 1.9 miles away) is the closest movie theatre.

Every September, Putnam Valley throws the festive Putnam Valley Town Day with exhibits, vendors, a concert and even a nice fireworks display.

For outdoors enthusiasts, Putnam Valley Town Park has three lighted tennis courts, several multi-purpose courts, two playgrounds, a rentable pavilion that boasts a full kitchen, two volleyball courts, several playing fields, a roller hockey rink, horseshoe pits and some nice hiking trails. Putnam Valley also has access to Clarence Fahnestock State Park which is a beautiful 14,086- acre park that has a great beach, picnic areas, hiking trails, a pretty decent campground, and allows boating, hunting, fishing and makes for some quality birding. Lake Peekskill itself has three private beaches.

Lake Peekskill is pretty safe and the crime rate is relatively low.

Lake Peekskill students are a part of the Putnam Valley Central School District which is fairly good.

The median household income is about $72,938.

The population of the greater Putnam Valley area is approximately 11,000 with the population of Lake Peekskill being considerably less.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Those who Love Nature will Love Lake Peekskill"

Most people confuse Lake Peekskill with the city of Peekskill, when really Peekskill is actually part of Putnam County and not in Westchester at all. Lake Peekskill is in reality a reservoir and the surrounding area was once a getaway for people living in NYC who wanted to rent or own lakefront cottages in the Summer.

Today Peekskill is a private and heavily secluded residential area, with not much else; however, people who live here will enjoy the peace and quiet that the sheltered village provides. There is a library on Oregon Road, which connects the town to the city of Peekskill, where you will have access to lots of shopping and restaurant opportunities (especially North Division street, where Peekskill’s main night life is, especially since the new Quiet Man pub opened.)

Lake Peekskill is very affordable with lakefront cottages starting around $225,000; houses can go up to the $400,000s, but not much higher, making it perfect for working class families. It’s famous for its community center that’s fashioned after a native american loghouse, and there’s also a casino, which makes this town unique to others in the area. There’s lots of backroads so you’ll want to have a GPS with you when visiting friends, as it can get quite confusing and some of them are one-way. Lake Peekskill’s gigantic reservoir offers residents (and friends of residents) three gorgeous private beaches: North Beach, Singers and Carras beaches. Aside from the loghouse and casino, Lake Peekskill will mainly satisfy nature lovers who appreciate the surroundings and enjoy water-related activities like boating and fishing.

Kids will go to Putnam Valley School District, which is generally rated 7 out of 10 and has fair test scores. There’s also a choice of attending the Peekskill City School District or any of the other school districts in the surrounding areas. Lake Peekskill is only a short drive from the city of Peekskill which is right on the Hudson River and commuters can take the train station to NYC in less than an hour. While a bit isolated, Lake Peekskill is a safe and beautiful place to live that’s very relaxing and enjoyable for those who don’t mind lots of peace and quiet and appreciate the joys of nature and rustic living.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"An unknown haven for young couples and families."

Lake Peekskill is a small, lakeside community within the Town of Putnam Valley located on the southwestern border of Putnam County. Though its name is similar to that of Peekskill in Westchester County, realize that Lake Peekskill is a completely separate entity in a completely different county and town. It resembles other lakeside communities in the county, including Putnam Lake in Patterson and Peach Lake and Brewster Hill in Southeast. All of these communities served as vacation retreats to New York City residents looking to escape the sweltering heat and busyness during the summer months. Like the rest, Lake Peekskill consists of smaller cottage- and bungalow-style homes with a spattering of newer developments on its outskirts.

Of the lake communities in Putnam County, I think Lake Peekskill is probably the most secluded. Putnam Valley is one of the quieter towns in Putnam County and Lake Peekskill finds solace in the hills that surround Peekskill Hollow Road, the main road the connects it with the rest of civilization. This quiet dynamic plays out in the community's social and business atmosphere, which consists of a small market and post office. If you're looking for something to do, you'll have to venture south on the Taconic State Parkway into Westchester County, or venture westward to Mahopac. It is a great place to start raising a family though, especially for young couples looking to purchase cheaper homes (the price of a home usually flirts with a little less than $300,000.)

The lake and its beaches, a stellar school system and low crime rates makes Lake Peekskilll an ideal place for families with small children- it also makes it a great community for those interested in retirement because of its laid-back atmosphere and quiet way of life. The media sale price of a home makes it especially ideal for couples looking to start a family, and the Putnam Valley School District only boosts the incentive to live in Lake Peekskill.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Secluded Lakefront Living"

Lake Peekskill in Putnam County is not to be confused with the town of Peekskill in Westchester. They are a good distance from each other, and Lake Peekskill is actually not a lake, but a reservoir.

Lake Peekskill is also the name given to a neighborhood located in the town of Putnam Valley. Originally called Lower Cranberry Pond, it was developed as a vacation community for New York City residents in the 1920s. Many of the former summer cottages have been updated to allow for year-round living. In a region where real estate prices are high, many may be surprised to find that affordable lakeside property can be found a little more than an hour from New York City. Homes are currently averaging around $300,000 for single-family houses. Most homes come with lake rights and there are three private beaches: North Beach, Singers Beach and Carraras Beach.

Though it has its own post office and a small market/deli, there isn’t much else; the area is heavily residential. The children in the community attend the well-regarded Putnam Valley schools, which is comprised of an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. Thanks to its location within Putnam Valley, there are many options there. Putnam Valley and Lake Peekskill are also close to the Jefferson Valley Mall, which has Sears, Macys, and a movie theater along with other chain retailers. Further down Route 6 in Mohegan Lake, the large Cortlandt Town Center features a Wal-Mart and one of the few Barnes and Noble bookstores in the area, along with other large and small chains stores.
Traveling to major highways requires time- the nearest highway is the Taconic, which is heavily traveled into New York City during the morning rush. Travel to the nearest Metro-North commuter trains is also a good distance from Lake Peekskill.

House hunters who need to commute to the city or a longer distance by car may find Lake Peekskill’s location a bit too remote, but the appeal of affordable lakeside living in a pretty town with a well-regarded school district might be hard to pass up.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers

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