New to Rye, but Already Smitten

– By Jim Byrne –

Maybe I'm biased because the only time I've lived outside of Westchester were my four years at college, but I don't think it gets any better than life in the 'burbs. I'll take the rolling green hills, big backyards and fresh air of suburbia any day over the non-stop action of Manhattan. And anyway, who needs urban excitement when you have a brook that overflows and incapacitates the town on a whim?

After residing in a one-room apartment in Pleasantville for a year with my girlfriend, it came time to look for a bigger and better place. Pleasantville was a great place to live, but hamster cages are made for hamsters. Remember kids, it's never a good thing when you can take a shower and cook Eggo waffles at the same time.

Not long after we began apartment hunting, we found a winner on High Street. I had been working at The Rye Record for about three months prior to the end of my Pleasantville lease, so I was familiar with the area. All it took to sell my girlfriend on the town was an ice cream cone from Longford's and a walk down Purchase Street on a crisp fall day.

Purchase Street is the essence of suburban living. It's the heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body, and nothing tops a walk from the top of the street to the bottom on a beautiful day. With Purchase and its side streets, everything you need is a short walk away. Grab a slice at Sunrise, buy a book at Arcade, and get a haircut at Milano's … what more could you ask for? A bank, you say? Well, maybe not another of those just yet.

Since we're a small outfit at The Record, each employee wears a variety of hats. I'm a writer, editor and sometimes even a ventriloquist. Don't ask. But one of the best parts of the job is hand-delivering the hot-off-the-press copies of the paper every other Thursday to the businesses along Purchase Street. Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking, I'm a paperboy. I prefer to think of myself as “Best Paid Paperboy in the Country,” however. I'm like the A-Rod of the paperboy business, except for the fact that I deliver in the clutch, literally and figuratively.

But, that was a Yankee potshot from a Mets fan and I digress.

Living in Rye the past five months has been great. I knew High Street was an excellent place the moment I set foot on it, and it only got better when I found out it was once - and sometimes still is - referred to as “Dublin.” With its humble - albeit unique - abodes, like the two that were formerly churches, and the great park in our backyard with constant doggie action, there's always something for the eye to feast on. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the High Street Roadhouse. It doesn't get better than having a fine establishment like that a mere 63 steps from your front door.

In little over half a year covering and living in Rye, I've come to love the town. My girlfriend and I have tried to hit every eatery and have certainly established some favorites already. The Town Dock has a great menu with enticing specials and a friendly staff. If we're in the mood for Chinese, but want that extra special kick, we hit up Water Moon. Where do you even begin with the Rye Bar and Grill? Huge menu and huge taste should suffice. Kelly's Sea Level was the most recent discovery of ours, coming on a rousing recommendation at the Roadhouse late one night, and boy was it one of the best. What can I say, I love a bacon cheeseburger, and Kelly's is just the place for that. Aurora, Ruby's, Livorno … don't worry, we're coming for you next and we're bringing our appetites.

Eating might be my favorite thing to do in Rye, but there are options of the non-chowing down variety as well. I was introduced to the Rye-Harrison football rivalry with a classic in October on a gorgeous day. I couldn't believe when I saw what looked like the entire town at the game. It was incredible. The delightfully retro vibe of Playland Ice Casino makes it a great place to catch a hockey game or do a bit of skating yourself. And maybe it's not for everyone, but I find the Greenwood Union Cemetery on North Street to be fascinating. You couldn't have asked for a more fitting day when I visited, as a fog engulfed the graveyard, making for a truly classic experience.

I could go on forever extolling the virtues of Rye, and I haven't even been here a full year yet. Just imagine what I'll have to say once I've actually spent a summer here.

Ah yes, summer in suburbia, I've got an ear-to-ear smile just thinking about it.