Westchester County offers many advantages to families

At some point, you will be faced with the tough decision of moving to the big city or choosing suburban life. There are numerous advantages to both environments, but if you want to raise a family in a safe environment, you'll likely look toward low-key communities for your future home. You may want to consider investing in one of the homes for sale in Westchester County, NY, as these listings are close to the Big Apple, but feature the benefits only suburban life can offer you.

However, Westchester County is a big place, and finding the perfect starter community for you and your family can be difficult. After considering the amenities that are most important, you may have come to realize that the Elmsford neighborhood is the most obvious choice.

The town of Elmsford covers nearly 4-square miles of Westchester County, and houses approximately 7,444 residents, according to the 2010 United States Census report. There are countless activities for your children to enjoy, and the town houses three schools - Carl L. Dixson Elementary, Alice E. Grady Elementary and Alexander Hamilton High School. These educational institutions can give you the peace of mind that your children will have the resources they need to succeed.

What's more, the average asking price for a home in Elmsford is $433,206, but sellers have been willing to settle for less, as the average sale price is $348,947, ZipDataMaps reports. In addition, the median household income is approximately $91,702, so first-time homebuyers with steady incomes will find Elmsford an attractive place to live.

If you move to Elmsford, you'll want to bring your children to places they will enjoy. The Elmsford Raceway, located on 44 Sawmill River Road, is the perfect getaway, as it offers families the chance to participate in slot-car racing. The complex has been open since 1965, and its track-record of safety has grabbed the attention of kids and adults for several years.

Another complex your kids will enjoy is Sportstime USA located on Route 9A. This facility offers kids a variety of activities such as an XD theater, laser tag, rock climbing wall, batting cages, arcade, pool hall and a photo gallery. When you take your children to these fun places in Elmsford, you may just not regret avoiding the big city after all.