By Alanna Contreras and Linda Flores

"My name is Mona. I don't live here yet, but I've been thinking about buying a house. I wanted to check out the neighborhood first and see if we like it. We love the home, and the neighborhood seems nice. I like the park, and since it's my first time here, l'm discovering things like the school and everything. As I was driving, I noticed the park is just a stop away from the house. I have two little girls, so I thought, 'Oh my god, that's such a nice park!' I'm definitely going to take them there, which is why we're here today. Right now, I live in Mount Vernon, and I've been drawn to this area because of the open space, the trees, and the atmosphere-it feels so calm and neighborly. I'm not that young anymore, so family-wise, this seems like a good place to be. What brought me to New Rochelle is the mix of that country feel but with the city atmosphere. I grew up more or less in the city, and I like that fast pace, but now I'm ready for a bit of both. In my mid-twenties, I worked a lot downtown in areas like 42nd Street, the World Trade, the financial district Right now l'm a district manager for an IT company, and I work remotely now. I only go into the office for major meetings or events I put together, corporate events. But being here in New Rochelle, it's quieter, and it's such a nice feeling to be away from the city buzz. I like that my daughters can grow up here, and if they choose the city life when they're older, that's fine too. I grew up in the Bronx, before moving to Mount Vernon when I was older. It wasn't terrible, but I think the living situation is just better out here-you get more space, a backyard, and you don't always have to go to the park unless it's a great one, like this one. Even with a backyard now, I'd still come here because it's such a nice park. I guess I just love that mix between city and suburb. " 

-Mona