North Salem

North and South Salem Real Estate Guide

North and South Salem real estate takes a little sorting out, because the two names belong to different municipalities: North Salem is a town in Westchester County, and South Salem is a hamlet in the Town of Lewisboro.

Knowing which one a property sits in tells you which town hall handles your questions, and it can change the school district too.

What to Love About North and South Salem

• Land you can actually use. Baxter Preserve and Leon Levy Preserve both welcome horseback riders, according to the organizations that manage them.
• A train station inside North Salem. Croton Falls station (5 Front Street) is on the Metro-North Harlem Line, and the MTA opened a new lot there in 2023.
• A highest point. Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem includes Bailey Mountain, the highest point in Westchester County.
• A Japanese garden in horse country. The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, at 28 Deveau Road, was founded in 1957.
• Protected open space. The North Salem Open Land Foundation, founded in 1974, says about 1,500 acres are protected through ownership and easements.
• A name with a history. Lewisboro was called South Salem from 1806 to 1840, until it was renamed for John Lewis, who gave $10,000 for public education.

Real Estate and Homes

Two municipalities, side by side.

What to check on a property. Lots here are generally larger than in village settings, so wells and septic systems vary by property, and the town code is the place to confirm zoning. Before you get attached, confirm:

• Which municipality the property is in, since North Salem and Lewisboro have separate town governments.
• School district, which depends on the address. North Salem Central School District and Katonah-Lewisboro School District are the two districts involved.
• Water and septic, which vary by property.
• Land use and zoning, using the relevant town's code and zoning map.

Our guide to buying equestrian property in North Salem covers questions specific to horse properties. If you are selling, see How We Sell Luxury Homes in North Salem.

Lifestyle and Local Highlights

Getting to the train. Croton Falls station (5 Front Street, in the hamlet of Croton Falls in North Salem) and Purdys station are both on the Harlem Line. The MTA says the new customer lot at Croton Falls, which opened May 9, 2023, has 450 spaces and 10 EV chargers. Katonah and Goldens Bridge are other nearby Harlem Line stations. Check the MTA for current schedules and parking rules.

Preserves and parks.

• Baxter Preserve (80-170 Baxter Road, North Salem) covers 167 acres with about a mile of easy trails and an 8-acre pond called the Racetrack, named for point-to-point horse races held in the 1950s. Riding, fishing, birdwatching, and snowshoeing are allowed.
• Mountain Lakes Park (201 Hawley Road, North Salem) is a Westchester County park, open year-round from dawn to dusk, with camping, fishing, and a winter recreation area.
• Leon Levy Preserve (2-50 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem) is a 383-acre town preserve of forest and wetland, with horse trailer parking, according to the Lewisboro Land Trust.
• Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby Cross River is Westchester County's largest park, at 4,315 acres.

Arts and horse country.

• Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden (28 Deveau Road, North Salem) is open April through December. Confirm hours before you visit.
• Old Salem Farm (190 June Road, North Salem) hosts horse shows, according to its own website.

Frequently Asked Questions About North and South Salem

Are North Salem and South Salem the same place?

No. North Salem is a town in Westchester County, with ZIP code 10560. South Salem is a hamlet in the Town of Lewisboro, with ZIP code 10590. Each has a separate town government.

Is there a train station in North Salem?

Yes. Croton Falls station, at 5 Front Street in the hamlet of Croton Falls, is a Metro-North Harlem Line stop in the Town of North Salem. Purdys station is also on the Harlem Line. Check the MTA for current schedules.

Which school district are North Salem and South Salem in?

North Salem Central School District and Katonah-Lewisboro School District are the two districts involved. Which one serves a property depends on the address, so confirm it with the district before you make an offer.

Is North Salem good for horse owners?

Baxter Preserve allows horseback riding, and Leon Levy Preserve in South Salem has horse trailer parking. Old Salem Farm in North Salem hosts horse shows. For a specific property, check the lot, fencing, and local rules, and read our guide to buying equestrian property in North Salem.

What is Bailey Mountain?

Bailey Mountain is the highest point in Westchester County and is part of Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem. The county park is open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Why was South Salem renamed Lewisboro?

The Town of Lewisboro was called South Salem from 1806 to 1840. It was renamed in 1840 for John Lewis, who gave $10,000 for public education on the condition that the town carry his name, according to the town's history page.

Do wells and septic systems matter when buying in North or South Salem?

They can. Lots tend to be larger than in village settings, and water and septic arrangements vary by property. Ask for the details early, and confirm zoning and land-use rules with the correct town.

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