The author's posts are entirely his or her own and may not always reflect the views of Movoto.
1. Yonkersites Are Stone Cold Addicted To The Ponies And Slots
Yonkersites are incredibly proud of their Raceway, the harness track that's been in business since 1899. OK, so it's a few years younger than Aqueduct in nearby Queens, and maybe it doesn't have a Triple Crown Race to call its own. What it does have however, is the Racino, which is what locals call the Empire City Casino.
Yonkers added it's racetrack casino in 2006, but Aqueduct's plans for a similar facility were about five years late out of the starting gate. Yonkers continues to expand its casino offerings in order to stay in the race, with additions including gourmet restaurants, a comedy club and concerts. Because, no way is Yonkers going to let its neighbor run away with the jackpot! Speaking of their neighbors...
2. Yonkersites Think They Live In The Sixth Borough
It's not so much that
Yonkers folks are NYC wannabees, but they think of themselves as already being part of the Big Apple. They feel that their edgy, urban energy is a much better match for the Empire City than it is for their somnolent suburban neighbors. And the rest of Westchester county? Well, they just think Yonkers is bonkers, and frankly...
3. Yonkersites Are Bonkers--Especially When It Comes To Hipsters
Yonkersites have no patience when it comes to hipsters and their scrubby ironic ways.
While most Yonkersites wouldn't (necessarily) go as far as Tyler, the Creator, who, in his song named after the city, offers to stab any hipster with a pitchfork (from his no doubt huge collection of farm implements), Yonkersites are just happy that the hipster hordes haven't spread too far past Brooklyn's borders--yet.
Yonkers does have quite a few artists of its own, but the local arts scene still operates somewhat below the radar--rather than being dominated by bearded and bespeckled trustafarians--and that's just the way Yonkers likes it!
4. Yonkersites Have Never Heard A Name They Didn't Want To (Shamelessly) Drop
Perhaps its the euphonious name--a corruption of the Dutch "jong heer," meaning "young gentleman"--or perhaps it's because Yonkers has been home to famous (and infamous) folks as diverse as Ella Fitzgerald, Steven Tyler and--um, well--the Son of Sam.
Whatever the reason, Yonkersites never miss the chance to remind outsiders of their contributions to pop cuture. And they love anytime their city gets a shout-out, whether that's the Neil Simon play "Lost in Yonkers" or rapper King Phaze's "Yonkers Anthem" or even as the setting of the Battle of Yonkers in Max Brook's novel "World War Z" (Which, by the way, was won by the zombies, just sayin').
5. Yonkersites Prefer Sucking Down Six-Packs To Sipping On A Snobby Chablis
Yonkers is definitely a beer-drinking burg. Locals sing the praises of the craft beer selections at establishments such as the Yard House, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Pinch, while the Guinness and Harp flow freely at Rory Dolan's, Dan Rooney's, McKeon's and Burke's, to name but a few of the local Irish pubs.
The jewel in the navel of Yonker's beer belly, however, has got to be the Yonkers Brewing Company, opened by two local boys. Their signature Yonkers Lager, IPA, Honey Blonde, and Vanilla Stout, are being shipped all over the area and as far away as Poughkeepsie. But brewmeisters John Rubbo and Nick Califano are expecting its fame to spread farther still, they want to help Yonkers achieve its rightful place among the truly great beer cities in the U.S. or even the world.
6. Yonkers Is Full Of Cops And Teachers
Chances are, if you don't work for the Yonkers Police Department or Yonkers public school system, you've got a friend or family member who does (and probably both). Yonkers' top employment category is "protective services workers"--perhaps that's why there are 12 Dunkin Donuts locations throughout the city? And in spite of teacher layoffs, education is also a top local industry--Yonkers High School consistently places in the top 25 of the annual U.S. News and World Report ranking of best U.S. high schools.
7. Yonkersites Love Their Hot Rods More Than Their Own Mothers
Despite the readily available public transportation, Yonkersites do not shun automobile ownership like diehard Manhattanites. That's because in Yonkers, cool cars are a way of life, and everyone just loves to show theirs off.
While Thursday night drag racing at Nathan's is a thing of the past, the NY Latin Cruisers Car Club has regular Monday night meetups at Metro Bar and Grill, while the Rock 'n' Rods Classic Car Club has Wednesday night cruises at Murray's Skating Center.
8. Yonkersites Give Gentrification Side Eye--But They Secretly Kind Of Like It
Yonkers residents are leery of urban renewal, what with the rising housing prices and cost of living increases it usually brings.
They do, however, see some advantages to the scourge of gentrification--the downtown area of Getty Square was a notorious high crime district back in the '90s. In the 21st century, however, the area began attracting young professionals drawn to its relatively affordable housing--at least as compared to NYC proper.
The disposable income they brought with them soon led to an influx of shops, restaurants and theaters. Which is why Yonkersites, privately, aren't so against gentrification, after all.
9. Yonkersites Cling To Their (Culinary) Past
Many Yonkersites of a certain age have fond memories of childhood parties and special family evenings out at two restaurants along Central Avenue: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, which was even more famous for its collection of arcade games as well as the Fun Chicken that laid a "toy in every egg!" and Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, where each kid was given a balloon on the way out.
While Nathan's has re-opened after some remodeling, it's now sans game room, and the Chicken's history, too. Charlie Brown's, however, appears to be gone for good, at least in its Yonkers location.
10. Yonkersites Are Super Diverse--Until You Break It Down By Neighborhood
Yonkersites are a diverse bunch. There are growing numbers of Slavic, Arab, African, Hispanic and Caribbean immigrants living in the city. And an array of ethnic celebrations including a Ukrainian heritage festival, a Puerto Rican/Hispanic day parade and festival and the "Alma de Mexico" celebration take place annually.
On the east side of town, though, the old Irish and Italian neighborhoods proudly hold to their traditions as well. Yonkers' St. Patrick's Day parade is one of the nation's largest, and its Columbus Day festivities are nothing to be sneezed at, either (unless you put too much pepper on your calzone).
It's all this diversity that makes Yonkersites who they are: name-dropping, pony-betting, beer-drinking teachers (and cops), with fancy cars and a yearning for the good old days at Nathan's. And you know what, they wouldn't have it any other way!
Feature Image Source: Flickr user LarimdaME
