Where did a name like Blauvelt, NY come from? From a Dutch family who settled the area in the 17th century. It means blue field, or blue pasture fields, but it likely refers to the blue and yellow shields hung on ships to identify their owners. Many years later, Blauvelt was made famous by another person with a Dutch name -- Bruce Springsteen recorded_ Born to Run _back in 1974 at Blauvelt's 914 Studios.
Blauvelt is a small town adjoining Orangetown in Rockland County, NY. With a population of 5,689 as of the 2010 census, and 4.6 square miles of land, this community is near the Hudson River and close to Hastings on Hudson, NY, Scarsdale, NY, and Ridgewood, NJ. Across the river you'll find Sleepy Hollow, NY - but no headless horsemen! And, it's just fifty minutes to NYC, too.
Moving to Blauvelt
A great spot for anyone and a solid bedroom community for the Big Apple, less than an hour away, you can find 3 bedroom houses for rent or find apartments of all kinds including two bedroom apartments for rent in this small community. No matter what kind of rental property you are looking for, give yourself about a month, as this is a location people like to live in and vacancies are lower than average. Check out the Rockland County Names, Nyack Villager, or Rockland Journal News for rental listings, as well as looking online or in person, by driving through the community.
When to Look and What to Bring
You can look for your new home any time of year, but it's chilly in winter. Be sure you have a winter coat as well as summer swimwear for sunbathing along the Hudson.
Your future landlord will be looking at your credit report, and your ID, so make sure you have access to both. W2s, tax returns, and bank statements may also be requested.
Neighborhoods in Blauvelt
You may not have to bring a car if you move to Blauvelt -- there's plenty of public transportation available for commuting. If you do drive, Blauvelt is easily accessible to the New York State Thruway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the Garden State Parkway.
Blauvelt: This community is in and of itself a single neighborhood, and a solid mix of owners and renters. Properties available include single family homes and small apartment buildings. Streets are leafy and green, and Blauvelt State Park borders the neighborhood for even more green space.
Living in Blauvelt
With shopping, entertainment, and green space all in supply, life in Blauvelt may just make you want to settle down -- even if you, like Springsteen, were "Born to Run."
Check out the lovely 590 forested acres of Blauvelt State Park, where hiking trails offer spectacular wide views of the entire Hudson Valley. Rather get lost in a book than in nature? Then the Blauvelt Free Library deserves a look. It's located inside one of Western Highway's traditional, historic Dutch sandstone colonial homes, once lived in by Judge Cornelius Blauvelt instrumental in the building of a railroad depot at the foot of his property. For him, catching the train to New York City meant a short stroll across his lawn.
Nearby, you'll find lovely Rockland Lake State Park in Valley Cottage, NY, occupying a ridge on Hook Mountain above the Hudson River. And there's not just a lake here; there's also an enormous 24,140 square foot swimming pool with diving boards. That means this pool is more than 10,000 square feet bigger than an Olympic sized pool! You will also find many hiking trails with awesome views, picnic and grill spots, boat launch dock and six tennis courts. Not your racquet? How about the manicured Rockland Lake State Park golf courses, which consist of two 18 hole golf courses? Or bring that rod and reel; fishermen and fishergirls alike will love claiming dinner from Rockland Lake, a prime location for bass, perch and norlunge.
Don't feel like catching your own dinner? Then dine out -- there are plenty of choices to choose from. Looking for savory ribs? Try the BBQ at Bailey's Smokehouse. How about something completely different? Khan's Mongolian might just fit the exotic bill.
Or, shop till you drop at Fashion Center in Bergen NJ, Paramus Park Mall in Paramus NJ, or Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack, all just minutes away. West Nyack also houses an IMAX movie screen, and a comedy club if you need a laugh or two, Levity Live may be just the place.