Where do families live? (Yonkers, New Rochelle: houses, neighborhoods, schools) - New York City - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

mookiebeme · 09-26-2007, 04:29 PM

Hello! My husband has a job opportunity with a consulting firm in NYC. Neither one of us as ever lived on the east cost, we both grew up in the midwest, and have lived in Utah for 10 years now. We are excited at this opportunity. However, we have four little boys ranging in age from 1-8. I was wondering where a good family oriented area is for us to look for a house. We would like to live in a good ol' Americana neighborhood, complete with kids running around and baseball games. I've always heard people live in New Jersey and work in NY? Is this true? Thanks so much for your help!

Freak · 09-26-2007, 04:33 PM

There are quite a few nice family neighborhoods in the city, but the fact that you're Midwesterners and are looking for a non-Yuppie area isn't too good. I'd suggest Jersey.

Concept · 09-26-2007, 04:46 PM

mookiebeme said: "We would like to live in a good ol' Americana neighborhood"

in NYC ? LOL

try upstate new york or jersey.

Viralmd · 09-26-2007, 05:07 PM

YOu can also try Westchester or Connecticut.

BXGEAR · 09-26-2007, 05:13 PM

If you want some place for your kids, check out Nassau, Westchester, Bergen, Middlesex, Rockland, or Staten Island. The city proper is a hit or miss

mead · 09-26-2007, 06:40 PM

Yeah look into the suburbs. Most of the city is geared towards yuppies without kids, newely arrived immigrants, or older ethnic neighborhoods.

I'd say the suburbs are probably your best bet since you aren't originally from around here.

Now, what is your budget for housing? This is the really important factor which will determine where you are going to live.

mookiebeme · 09-26-2007, 08:51 PM

I'm sorry! I don't think I explained myself well enough. We actually figured that we wouldn't live in the city....that we would live in the burbs or Jersey, etc. We just don't want my husband's commute to be too terrible.

mead · 09-26-2007, 09:30 PM

What is your housing budget? There is a fairly big difference in housing prices in this area. Starter houses in the NYC metro area can go anywhere from $350k to $800K+ depending upon what town you are looking at.

lhf1979 · 09-26-2007, 10:18 PM

try northeast queens, bellerose, glen oaks, bayside, douglaston, little neck.

Hustla718 · 09-27-2007, 01:10 AM

NYC is too expensive for middle class families. Even the crap areas are expensive now.

You will figure this out when you get here.

Anyway okay neighborhoods in the city for families are located in Staten Island, much of Queens, Southern Brooklyn and the FAR eastern Bronx and FAR northwest Bronx. The schools suck though and even many of those areas can be tough. Some working class areas in there.

Outside the city you have Westchester, Orange, Long Island and Jersey. You decided on the burbs so you might want to try Jersey. More selection. Stay away from Mount Vernon/Yonkers in Westchester, even New Rochelle. The schools suck. Look to the LI forum for information. Stay away from areas on the city border near the Rockaways like Inwood. Also stay away from PJ's. In Jersey stay away from Newark (crap areas all over), East Orange, Irvington, and even now a good amount of Elizabeth and Paterson.

All pricey.