Considering Move from California (Rose: gated, travel, income)

[Rosevillebaby]

Grew up in San Francisco areas, young adult coastal Los Angeles, traveler,
Married life in Bay Area, Now with Children in burbs in Placer County en route to Lake Tahoe. I miss water. I miss Urban access. Husband in technology but willing to work independent in finance in coming years.
I write, advocate and create through food and homemaking. I am a nester with 2 young children. Husband is athletic,
musical, loves sports. I enjoy theater arts, gardening, literature, community involvement. We are traditional and mezza conservative but thinkers who appreciate interesting and real people. Children need access to activities but need not be over scheduled. We all like great food. Can live in small space but love open space nearby. Husband from Upstate. I have always longed to live on the Eastcoast but people often try to discourage. Would love to know why? Husband often said he could not imagine returning to upstate and knows nothing of Westchester and the other Eastern areas. Recent traffic, congestion, crowds, transient personalities have him reconsidering. Starting threads with a three year plan...probably cannot sell our home before then without walking away empty handed. We want to downsize home size and management of larger home and landscape but would love open space. Not looking to be under strain but welcome any hidden jewels that are a nice blend. Current house is custom, gated neighborhood and it is not essentially what we need. Husband needs room for his music gear and I my books and art endeavors. Children are well rounded and exceptionally bright and kind. They have had the pleasure of attending Roseville Community Preschool with renowned Bev Bos and we want learning to be lifelong and not merely about testing. Schools that are progressive yet prepare are a tricky mix to find. We notice that schools in CA, even those considered excellent are depleted with resources and are consumed with scoring over thinking and learning. I lived on the beach for so long that the droughts and long hot summers force us inside all too long. I understand that winters may create the same issue but I am season person and love to be indoors doing indoor activities in the winter..cooking, reading, movie watching, creative quiet time but during the summers, I want to be out with my kids, with animals, with nature and not indoors with air conditioning for 7 months..I know, I may wilt due to humidity and welcome feedback and this could be fantasy..so please tell the truth. All of it. We will sort through it. Thanks..Lastly, we have a beautiful, gifted little boy with special needs so resources are important., universities, hospitals...both my children have an affinity for music and animals. Lastly, all our parents are gone except my mom who is a breast cancer survivor and will need great follow up care and I would need to set her up with us or nearby and she is on fixed income so Westchester may be out of our reach but direction is appreciated.

[Andysocks]

Westchester is not on Long Island, it's part of that same dreaded mainland that California is on :P, there's a separate forum for Westchester County. Good luck though, that's some long list of desires you got there.

As a general rule, East Coasters are more traditional and less progressively-minded than West Coasters, people here feel more tied to the "Old Country" even if they're third or fourth generation and don't speak a word of their ancestor's language. The idea of "neighborhood" is prominent on the East Coast so while gated communities do exist, they're much rarer and looked down upon.

Oh yeah, and NY state is home to the notorious state-wide "Regents" tests that only elite and test-intensive prep and parochial schools can opt out of.

EDIT: and the weather here is atrociously unpredictable compared to stereotypical coastal California, but since I don't know if Placer County on the coast or in the mountains or whatnot, I can't compare.

[Elke Mariotti]

Sounds to me as if a few towns on Long Island might fit your bill... I have a grandson who sounds like his needs are like your little boy's, so I understand those needs...

[Rosevillebaby]

I was looking at a variety of forums and ended up writing in LI when discussing Westchester as LI is a consideration. Thanks for those who can discern that we are starting wide and will funnel deep.

This is something we are not taking lightly or impulsively. Our community continues to come up as one of the best places to live so we want to pay attention to what we may miss or take for granted now. Drove through the rolling hills of Loomis last evening and it is stunning.

Thanks to all positive suggestions.