Couples Embrace Community Living in New Mixed-Use Development

Two couples from Generation X, the Falks and the Coopermans, are transitioning to a new lifestyle by moving into a mixed-use development focused on community engagement in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Both couples, now empty nesters, sought homes that would provide accessibility, community, and an active lifestyle while remaining close to the suburban environment they have cherished.

Stephanie Falk and her husband, Andrew, decided to leave their 100-year-old house in Edgemont, New York, after their three children went off to college. While Stephanie envisioned a move to New York City, Andrew preferred to stay connected to the green spaces they had enjoyed for nearly three decades. Ultimately, they reached a compromise and chose to look for a more urban setting within Westchester County, ideally in a neighborhood with easy access to restaurants and the scenic Hudson River.

During a spring 2024 golf outing, the Falks discussed their home search with friends Judy and Steven Cooperman, who were also contemplating a similar transition. The Coopermans were eager to sell the home where they raised their children and find a lower-maintenance residence in a vibrant community. Their interest in the partially constructed Edge-on-Hudson development sparked intrigue among the Falks.

A few days later, Judy introduced the Falks to the area, revealing the benefits of Edge-on-Hudson. The development offers four-bedroom townhomes, ample space for family visits, proximity to the Hudson River, and a walkable community. Importantly, the homes include elevators, ensuring accessibility for their aging parents. Shared amenities, such as parks and pools, promise to foster a strong sense of community.

“I just believe fully in community,” Stephanie reflected. “As you grow older, being around like-minded people can be really beneficial.”

Both couples, in their mid-to-late 50s, are not ready for retirement. Stephanie runs a mindfulness and meditation company called Pause to be Present, while Judy works remotely in administrative management at a law firm. Their husbands are engaged in real estate and law in New York City.

Despite the expensive housing market, both couples sold their previous homes for slightly more than their new townhomes, which start at $1.6 million. They expressed satisfaction that their new residences will be more manageable as they age, while the overall square footage remains similar to their previous homes.

The Falks and the Coopermans represent a growing trend among Gen Xers and baby boomers who are not yet ready to downsize completely or transition to retirement communities. As Judy described, they are “itching for the next step.”

As construction progresses, Edge-on-Hudson is set to become a vibrant community, with plans for nearly 1,200 townhomes, condos, and apartments, as well as a grocery store and hotel on the 70 acres of land that once housed a General Motors assembly plant. In late July, the Falks and the Coopermans moved into rental apartments within the development, where they will reside until their townhomes are completed.

Interestingly, the Coopermans are not the only familiar faces in this new community. Five other couples known to them have already reached out to developers regarding potential purchases.

So far, the transition has been met with enthusiasm. The Coopermans decided to sell or donate most of their furniture, a move Judy described as liberating. The close proximity of the two couples has transformed their relationship, allowing for more frequent casual outings.

“It’s very easy to just say, ‘Hey, you want to go out for a walk?'” Judy noted.

Both women have already started making new friends in the area. “People are friendly. People are out a lot,” Judy said. “It’s kind of like going to college when you’re a freshman; everyone wants to meet people.”

As they embark on this new chapter, the Falks and the Coopermans look forward to building a community that aligns with their lifestyle aspirations while maintaining connections with friends and family.