Article by Margot de Boer
Jodi Greebel has been instrumental in helping so many moms choose to raise their families in Scarsdale as one half of the powerhouse Randi Culang Team at Compass Real Estate. Before she was a Scarsdale mom herself, Jodi enjoyed a storied career as a nutrition expert and still maintains an active practice as a registered dietitian alongside her real estate business. Learn more about her story below. Jodi is hosting a hands-on lesson in fun & healthy eating at the JCC on 4/30. The event is wait-list only, but hopefully more to come!
Tell us about your family and life in Scarsdale, please!
I have three kids: two boys and a girl who are in 8th, 5th and 2nd grade. We moved here before my oldest started Kindergarten. It took us a long time to find the right house before buying because we really wanted a house we could do work on.
I love that every time I go outside, I see neighbors, and the ease of walking to so many places in town. Some of our favorite memories and highlights each year are the annual Halloween window painting, feeding the kids dinner at the Scarsdale pool on a summer day, the Scarsdale high school carnival, and watching the kids’ sports on a weekend day at Crossway or Boulder Brook fields.
How did your path lead to working in real estate?
I hold a BS in Biology from Duke University and a Master’s in Nutrition from NYU, and I’m a registered dietitian. I have written a cookbook, appeared as a nutrition expert on news channels and print media, and was the spokesperson for Dannon’s Danimals. I have had a variety of careers over my life, but the one thing I always come back to is working with people.
I grew up in a family that loves real estate. Even before working at Compass, I had done real estate investing, renovated and sold properties and advised on home renovations. When I moved to the suburbs, I started helping friends and acquaintances find the best town for their needs as they transitioned from the city. I then obtained my real estate license and started my consulting practice, City 2 Country, where I connected clients with real estate agents whose personalities aligned with theirs. When friends started asking me to come look at the houses with them, go on inspections and walk-throughs, and advise them on which nursery school to go to, I knew it was time to spend more time doing real estate.
I love connecting with people and learning more about them and their family. Finding a home is more than just finding the right house. I want to help my clients get settled where they are and be a resource and a friend long after they buy a home. I love what I am doing and don’t think of it as work. Counseling in nutrition has been a huge asset to me as so much of it is about listening and helping someone talk through their emotions and stresses. Real estate is no different!
How do you most use your RD training today? Tell everyone about the event you’ll be hosting with us later this month!
I still use nutrition for counseling as well as consulting for businesses and camps. Eating healthy is such an important part of life and I cook all the time. I’m excited for our event later this month – I’m teaching a cooking class for kids from 3-7 years old at the JCC where we will make one healthy snack and one fun food. I’m a big believer that all foods fit. Eating healthy means making room for those less healthy foods and not feeling guilty about it.
For anyone reading who isn’t a Scarsdale mom yet but is thinking about moving here, what would you say are the best things about living here?
I spend a lot of time driving around Scarsdale between work and carpools. I love the warmth and character of the different neighborhoods. The best thing about living in Scarsdale is that it’s big enough to feel like you are always meeting new people, but small enough that you have a real community and can bump into people you know wherever you go. I love that my kids know parents whose kids they don’t overlap with. Scarsdale is a tight knit, supportive community where people really come together for one another. I have seen it first hand and am always amazed.
Lastly, but important for so many people looking, the commute to the city is really easy.
Can you spill the tea on your favorite…
Book you’ve read recently or Bingeworthy TV show: Lessons in Chemistry – I couldn’t put it down
Fav workout: taking a walk with a friend
Date night spot: St George Bistro in Hastings
Fav Gluten Free pastries: Gluten free – By the way bakery in Hastings; Nut free – Cerbones in Rye Brook
Ladies night out destination: Meritage in Scarsdale
Meal out with the fam: 25 North in Mamaroneck or Sal’s Pizza for a quick slice
Place to treat yourself to something nice: Current Home in Scarsdale or Hoaglands in Greenwich, but my favorite is to treat myself to Martine’s for one of their delicious breakfast cakes
Outing with the kids: I love to explore and always try to do different activities – whether it’s indoor glow in the dark mini golf in Yonkers, apple picking at different spots up north or trying out a new local ice cream place. There are so many places to go and things to do in Westchester that we try to do different things (and, have you noticed most of them revolve around food?!)