Many productions film in Westchester County because it can double for almost anywhere. But Your Friends and Neighbors did something different: It came here to be Westchester.
Set in a world of wealth, status, image, and fraught social dynamics, the Apple TV+ series found in Westchester not just a backdrop, but a setting that helped define the story itself. According to award-winning location professional Shane Haden—a 26-year industry veteran whose credits include six seasons of “Bull” for CBS and acclaimed projects including “The Night Of” and “Ripley”—Westchester offered something other affluent suburbs could not: upscale neighborhoods that still feel connected, where neighbors are close enough to observe, judge, gossip, and stay deeply intertwined.
“One of the most important criteria for selecting hero home locations and establishing ‘Westmont’ was to make it feel like a neighborhood where the physical proximity to each property wasn't overshadowed by huge gates, fences, and isolation,” said Haden. “Even though we showcase wealth, it was important to feel that your neighbors were close by.”
The production also explored communities in Long Island and New Jersey before determining Westchester was the strongest fit. Here, upscale living could still feel connected and communal—an essential ingredient for a show built around the lives, secrets, and scrutiny of friends and neighbors.
A Setting That Matched the Story
From urban settings in Yonkers to stately homes in Purchase and walkable downtown streets in Rye, Westchester gave the series a wide range of looks, while maintaining a cohesive sense of place.
“We have storylines that blend wealth and privilege, crime, and economic struggle, so you have to see those themes visually. Westchester’s diversity helps us to show our story. We’re able to find almost everything we need in Westchester County,” Haden said.
Several Westchester locations became recurring visual anchors for the show, including characters’ homes, the village streets that help establish the fictional town of Westmont, and The Tap Ale House—filmed at The Brazen Fox in White Plains. The show’s country club scenes were created at Sleepy Hollow Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club.
Photo courtesy of Apple
Why Westchester Worked for Production
What makes this production especially notable is how seamlessly Westchester served the needs of the series. The county didn’t just offer on-camera locations—it supported the production from several angles.
For “Your Friends and Neighbors,” Westchester had it all: studio infrastructure at Great Point Studios in Yonkers, restaurants and bars for scenes, elegant residential interiors and exteriors, village streetscapes, an airport, and private club settings—all within a relatively short distance.
“Since the show is primarily set in Westchester, having a base like Great Point Studios has been a huge benefit to our show,” said Haden. “The convenience of being in Yonkers for our production office and stages is great for our day-to-day operations. Production efficiency is incredibly important.”
That proximity also helped the crew move efficiently between very different looks.
“Westchester is great for filming because of the variety of locations within a short distance. Since it's relatively easy to move around Westchester, it certainly helped on days that we had to move the entire company midday to another location for another look,” he said.
Haden added that filming in Westchester also carries a personal benefit: He lives in the county and values the ability to work close to home. He noted that many members of the cast and crew also live locally, making Westchester not only a practical production hub, but a place where people are genuinely connected to the community.
Why “Your Friends and Neighbors” Returned to Westchester
The production returned to Westchester multiple times, building relationships with communities that welcomed filming and understood the needs of a major television production.
Once the team committed to Westchester, they intentionally selected recurring locations in municipalities where strong partnerships could be built. Haden cited the Town of Harrison—including West Harrison, Purchase, and areas surrounding Westchester Country Club—as especially instrumental to the show’s success, noting filming guidelines, police assistance, and an understanding of the creative process. He also cited positive experiences in White Plains, Mount Pleasant, and Rye.
“Many of Westchester’s towns are film-friendly and are set up to make filming in their communities pretty straightforward for productions. There’s an appreciation and interest in filming from both commercial and residential community members.”
A County With Character
Beyond logistics, Westchester also offered something harder to replicate: authenticity, history and character.
“Westchester is rich in history and interesting stories,” adds Haden. “Through scouting and filming, we encountered historic estates tied to families such as the Vanderbilts, the Strauses, and the Rockefellers. We met fascinating people whose anecdotes gave us context and appreciation for local communities.”
That combination of beauty, prestige, community, and practicality is what made Westchester such a natural fit for the series.
Many productions come to Westchester to become somewhere else. “Your Friends and Neighbors” came here because only Westchester could be Westchester.
Photo courtesy of Apple
“Your Friends and Neighbors” Westchester Filming FAQ
Where was “Your Friends and Neighbors” filmed in Westchester County?
The series filmed across multiple Westchester communities including Yonkers, Rye, White Plains, Purchase, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, Harrison, and Briarcliff Manor, using streetscapes, restaurants, homes, club settings, and studio facilities.
Why did the production choose Westchester County?
According to Shane Haden, Westchester offered the ideal mix of wealth, charm, community, and proximity—helping create a world where neighbors feel close enough for the show’s themes of visibility, gossip, and social tension.
Did the production use studio space in Westchester too?
Yes. The production utilized Great Point Studios in Yonkers for production offices and stages, allowing the series to keep filming locations and infrastructure within the same county.
Westchester Locations Featured in “Your Friends & Neighbors”
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Great Point Studios
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Yonkers Public Library
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Aurora Restaurant
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Ruby’s Oyster Bar and Bistro
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Saigon Table
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Sunshine Coffee Roasters
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The Brazen Fox
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Westchester County Airport
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Sleepy Hollow Country Club
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The Belvedere Estate
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Village of Tuckahoe
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Manhattanville University (base camp)
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Purchase College (base camp)