Single mom needs advice on NYC schools, neighborhoods (New York, Ridge: apartments, for rent)

[jcoltrane]

Originally Posted by citylove101

NJ might be a good idea. In Essex county check out Montclair, West Orange, Maplewood. All these towns have decent schools, are about an hour's commute to Midtown, and have a variety of housing. A two bedroom one bath, maybe even a two bath, sounds doable on yr budget. And you could keep your car.

You could also check out Teaneck, Hackensack and Ft. Lee in Bergen County, all of which are a little bit closer in to the city, have decent schools, and a wide range of housing. You might even get a single family home or a townhouse for that price, but probably an apartment. In any of these places, the dog, or course, would depend on the landlord.

Two bedrooms for $1600 in NYC is likely doable in some of the neighborhoods mentioned above, in Bklyn or Staten Isalnd.

But moving anywhere in NYC at this point in the summer with two kids to find good high schools or middle schools for will be tough unless you move to some farther out Queens neighborhoods, where there are still supposedly good zoned schools (meaning anybody can attend by nature of residency) in neighborhoods like Bayside, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, or Little Neck.

You do realize, apparently NOT, that you have just recommended every county, town and NYC neighborhood, that is beyond her income range (with two teenagers). WHERE in any of those Essex county towns will she find a two bedroom apt for $1600 and the keeping the car is a financial drain? Great places if she earned double the income.

Bergen County, THE rich county, similarly, where does a white mother with two teenagers find a 2 bdrm for $1600 and pay for the vehicle?

In NJ she would need to look much farther West or South of Essex County. I'm not sure, but maybe Parsippany or Woodbridge or somewhere in between. VERY long commute, but many in her income bracket do it. Though being single and leaving teenagers with so much unsupervised time can be an issue.

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Similarly, the Queens areas suggested are also, generally, beyond her income. Little Neck??? You are not serious? Not a consideration. Forest Hills and Kew Gardens, *might* be a possibility, but it won't be the best apt, and not necessarily the best schools. Moreover, the kids specifically would go through such 'culture shock' as to make their lives entirely unhappy. I w/n reccomend it.

Bayside *may* be the best chance. I have seen listings for homes and apts for rent at her budget, but again in the scheme of Bayside, at the bottom level. I suggest the OP do the homework and choose the district schools wisely, particularly which Junior H.S. feed into which H.S. find a good real estate broker, be patient and look hard!

Do a search on the forum for Bayside, and make a specific inquiry on the forum for suggestions at your budget. There are those who know Bayside well, and can advise.

Commuting from Bayside and other decent areas with fair schools will be relatively long, an hour or so. The problem is that subways are not within walking distance, and consequently require one to take a bus to the subway. With a Metrocard, the cost is reasonable, but time is a factor.

There are 'Express Buses' which will take commuters directly into Manhattan. These are a bit more costly, but worth it. Unfortunately they run on a limitd schedule, and late workers may miss the last bus. Check the MTA site for the schedule. Also, you need a bus which goes to Downtown Manhattan. I don't know if there is one. Again, check the MTA site. (Certainly questions for the broker.) If there is no bus to Downtown. You may need to switch to the subway to get downtown.

Lastly, there is the Long Island Railroad, a commuter RR, which has a stop in Bayside and other places in Queens. You would need to take a bus or taxi to the RR, or drive and find a coveted parking spot. The RR is costly, but quick, the schedule limited, and you would need to take the subway from the terminal at Penn Station in midtown Manhattan.

People take either of the above routes, and many find Bayside and its surrounds woth the commute.

****

Staten Island is a different story, and I think the best option.

First, it is the best affordable option where your children will experience the least 'culture shock'. (The Jersey suburbs w/b the least culture shock, but affordability and commute time is prohibitive.) Picking the right area with good schools is key.

SI is the NYC borough most like FL (though it is not as new). MANY commute from SI to downtown. Most either take a bus to the Ferry boat terminal, or drive and pay for parking at or near the terminal. I believe the Ferry is either free or minimal in cost. From the Ferry you can walk to your office. Depending on location, it can be a short or long walk. In Winter it will be a chilly walk given you are at the water's edge.

Already, I think you can see that SI has the cheapest commuter costs, and perhaps the shortest commute as well.

Where on SI will depend on budget, schools, and your tolerence for other races and crime. Others will have to advise you on this. I'll guarantee you this, on SI you won't be the only woman trying to get along on your salary with a couple of kids.

Luck!

Though, if you've already got a job in Orlando already earning $45 to 50K, I strongly suggest you stay in Orlando. Life will be easier and less stressful. A $10 or 15K bump in salary really isn't worth the move (in terms of lifestyle). THOUGH, in NYC you may have greater opportunity to eventually earn more depending on your profession. If you really *want* to move to NYC, why not wait until your children have graduated High School?

Btw, if the cost of college for your children is an issue, then you might be interested that there is a highly affordable commuter school, The College of Staten Island (part of the City University of NY system), which provides a 'fair' educational environment. A bit more crowded, but on par with USF/Tampa and and I think its UCF in Orlando. Something to consider.

Bayside has Queensborough Community College, a fair CUNY school; and Queens College, a good CUNY school.

Luck!

[lambchop1010]

Also, take into consideration your commuting expenses. An unlimited subway pass is $104/month. If you live in NJ, your train ticket could be over $200/month depending on where you end up. I work in Central NJ and live in Manhattan. I pay $248/month for my NJ transit pass. It is almost like having a car payment!

[erikjscott]

If you can get an apartment in Bayside by the LIRR area (and there definitely are some for 1600 or less for 2 bedrooms), then you could walk to the LIRR. It's approximately $190 a month for an unlimited monthly pass into the city - express will take you 19-20 minutes, and regular will take you 25-28 minutes. I'm not sure of what middle school is by that area, but I do know that you would be zoned for Bayside H.S. unless your kids apply to some of the other specialized programs in the other schools. Bayside H.S. has had a bad rap in the past especially when compared to District 26's other high school, Cardozo, but I've heard that it's reputation is getting stronger now.

Just to add - and not that it's any of my business, but make sure you work your finances out as carefully as possible because I make around the same as you would be making, and I don't think I would be able to afford $1600 by myself let alone kids.

[citylove101]

similarly, where does a white mother with two teenagers find a 2 bdrm for $1600 and pay for the vehicle?

Certainly she didnt say that she was white and I did not assume anything about her race at all. But if she is and finds it uncomfortable to have black or Latino or Asian neighbors its best she avoid metro New York altogether. I hope she is not so naive as to beleive that any neighborhood with people of color in it, like Ft. Lee, Montclair, Hackensack, or Teaneck, makes it an automatic no-go--especially when these are heavily middle-class, or even upper middle-class areas with far less poverty than you see in most of NYC.

And no, those New Jersey neighborhood are NOT out of her price range. A cursory check of any decent real estate web site will show that in any of the neighborhoods I named--in NJ or Queens--showed that there are some two bedroom places in that range. I know. I just looked. Not a lot, but some. And she only needs one.

I also know renters in these NJ towns who pay around the $1600 level for their apartments, so I'm not coming out of this from left field.

The transportatinon costs, however, are a wild card. Weighing the cost of the commuter tickets vs car upkeep vs schools will involve a trade off that she will have to make. HIgher commuting costs plus car upkeep for a good suburban school system VS Staten Island or Brooklyn, lower transport costs with maybe no car, but taking a big chance on educating her kids. I would sacrifice and stretch my bduget for good schools. Your kids are the most important thing you'll ever have. But the choice is hers, not mine.

[jcoltrane]

Originally Posted by citylove101

similarly, where does a white mother with two teenagers find a 2 bdrm for $1600 and pay for the vehicle?

Certainly she didnt say that she was white and I did not assume anything about her race at all.

That is why you are you. I am not you. As has been stated in this forum before. Race is a factor, and posters s/state their race. Class and lifestyle is also a factor.

But if she is and finds it uncomfortable to have black or Latino or Asian neighbors its best she avoid metro New York altogether.

That is an unknowing remark. There are many NYers of such a mind and do live, deliberately, in and among themselves. There are neighborhoods where one can still do thusly. Staten Island is still one of those places, though MUCH less so than in the past.

Regarding SI, there is a vast difference between Tottenville and Port Richmond, race is certainly a factor for the residents of, and potential residents of, both towns. To ignore that is simply to be an Ostrich.

The OP could find an apt in Harlem even below her budget, but would you reccommend Harlem? I w/n, race w/b a factor, but not the first factor. Race or not it w/b just a bad fit, when *fully* considered. Full consideration!

I hope she is not so naive as to beleive that any neighborhood with people of color in it, like Ft. Lee, Montclair, Hackensack, or Teaneck, makes it an automatic no-go--especially when these are heavily middle-class, or even upper middle-class areas with far less poverty than you see in most of NYC.

No one said nor implied such to be the case!!! My comment re race was not in regard to either of those places.

And no, those New Jersey neighborhood are NOT out of her price range. A cursory check of any decent real estate web site will show that in any of the neighborhoods I named--in NJ or Queens--showed that there are some two bedroom places in that range. I know. I just looked. Not a lot, but some. And she only needs one.

Cursory checks of real estate web sites DO NOT advise whether the apts nor the areas are acceptable in regard to a number of criteria such as, schools, crime, and quality.

Within the towns you cited, Montclair, Maplewood, West Orange, there are NOT acceptable apts in her budget range, nor are there many apts to begin with. I base my judgment on personal experience both in NJ and FL.

I am aware of what the quality level is in FL, in general, and in specific the Orlando area. For example, with a $50K income one can live a quality of life better than someone earning $100K in NYC. Soooo, all my comments are based on this fact.

My aim is to steer the OP toward the best possible circumstance perserving as much of her (presumed) lifestyle as possible; while also considering her children, their educational needs AND the ease of which they might 'fit in'.

IF, the only factor is rent affordability, then Astoria w/b great. Accept the apt w/b dumps far inferior to most anything found in FL, and her children would suffer extreme culture shock. Additionally, I consider the personal fact that I w/n place my children, with incredibly few exceptions, in a NYC public school.

I also know renters in these NJ towns who pay around the $1600 level for their apartments, so I'm not coming out of this from left field.

I know where she could get an apt for $500 bucks! I won't suggest she look there. Again, the determiner is QUALITY! In all of those towns that rent puts you below a middle lifestyle. Montclair is a RICH town. Maplewood is also a prosperous town. West Orange I know less, personally, but is NOT a poor town by any means. There are those who would choose West Orange over Maplewood.

The transportatinon costs, however, are a wild card. Weighing the cost of the commuter tickets vs car upkeep vs schools will involve a trade off that she will have to make. HIgher commuting costs plus car upkeep for a good suburban school system VS Staten Island or Brooklyn, lower transport costs with maybe no car, but taking a big chance on educating her kids. I would sacrifice and stretch my bduget for good schools. Your kids are the most important thing you'll ever have. But the choice is hers, not mine.

The above is quite correct, BUT you are not considering her stated income. The trick is in determining the best circumstance which she can afford. For example, take Maplewood, there is a very good public H.S. (I belive it is in South Orange), but the mainstream kids who attend the school are from prosperous families. Can the OP afford the extra-curriculum activities that is common to such schools? Why put the kids in that position?

The point is that I w/n reccommend those towns for a women with marginal income, specifically in regard to those towns. THAT IS MY POINT OF VIEW and why I responded to your post.

Similarly, I don't see the point in reccomending Bergen County, probably the richest of NJ counties.

I strongly consider whether one will live within, or nearly so, the mainstream. If not, then what's the point? I do not subscribe to the all too common notion in this forum of moving to NYC and living anywhere at whatever can be found which is affordable. I most definitely do not subscribe to such mentality when children are involved.

I, personally, would live in either of those towns, and do covet two of them. If not for certain twists of fate I w/b living in one now. I know people who live there, but none who live in apts. I have, previously, perused the apt offerings, and to my knowledge, the few which could be commesurate to 'family' living cost FAR more than $1,600, but more importantly, the cost of living exceeds a $60K salary with 2 teenagers.

Mom could not afford to keep her children in line with the mainstream kids. So why put her in that position???

I wonder if you took any of my considerations into account?

Tha, ah, tha, ah, that's all folks....

[FloridaMama]

Would it make a significant difference if I went up to $2000 a month rent?

[paddock_laker]

I think certain parts of Queens fit your description as well. The Forest Hills area would be good: Forest Hills High School is one of the best in the state, and your transit options are flexible, with both LIRR and subway stops. There are a lot of trees and it is one of the best-looking areas of queens. Also consider Rego Park, Kew Gardens, and other nearby neighborhoods, as your kids can still go to Forest Hills high school with relatively little problem.

[paddock_laker]

You can do without a car there and probably find a god apartment in the $1500-2000 range.

[FloridaMama]

Originally Posted by paddock_laker

I think certain parts of Queens fit your description as well. The Forest Hills area would be good: Forest Hills High School is one of the best in the state, and your transit options are flexible, with both LIRR and subway stops. There are a lot of trees and it is one of the best-looking areas of queens. Also consider Rego Park, Kew Gardens, and other nearby neighborhoods, as your kids can still go to Forest Hills high school with relatively little problem.

Thank you!

[mermaid825]

Don't forget that in NYC, as high schoolers (I assume) her children will not necessarily be attending the "zoned school." They will have to make a selection of preferred high schools and go through the application process. So she could, theoretically, live in a less desirable neighborhood but have her children in a good high school, or vice versa.