Great public schools just outside NYC? (New York, Union: for sale, real estate, insurance)

[illinois1]

My family is contemplating a move from the midwest for a job near Columbia University. In relocating, our two most important criteria are 1. great public schools, and 2. a commute of less than 1 hr door-to-door. We would appreciate some guidance on where to look for homes....ideally we would like some space for the kids to run (although we're not talking acreage or anything, just a bit of a backyard), a sense of community or some sort of active downtown area, and 4 bedrooms in the $300K-$400K range in a safe area. Does this exist in our price range?!

[WithDisp]

See Westchester Co. New York (which I believe has a Forum) or Bergen County, NJ.

You might not like the housing stock at that price range, but some places are bound to be livable for such.

[likeminas]

You're in for a surprise if you haven't done some research prior to coming here. I'll give you two hints, and maybe then you can connect the dots.
The NY metropolitan area has; one of the highest average housing prices & property taxes in the nation.

A 4 br apt/house in a 'great' school district for 400k is just not gonna happen.
Maybe a 2br, and even then I think you'd have to do a lot of searching.

You need to go over 1 m. To get your wish list.

[foodyum]

As you have heard above, your budget is unrealistic for great public schools and a 4 bedroom house.
For good public schools, Leonia might be in doable.

[LongIslandPerson]

Originally Posted by illinois1

My family is contemplating a move from the midwest for a job near Columbia University. In relocating, our two most important criteria are 1. great public schools, and 2. a commute of less than 1 hr door-to-door. We would appreciate some guidance on where to look for homes....ideally we would like some space for the kids to run (although we're not talking acreage or anything, just a bit of a backyard), a sense of community or some sort of active downtown area, and 4 bedrooms in the $300K-$400K range in a safe area. Does this exist in our price range?!

Look into Franklin Square and Valley Stream. The both have great-performing public schools and you could find properties in that price range. They also have decent downtown areas and are right along/near the NYC-Long Island border.

Franklin Square Union Free School Distric (9/10 Great Schools ranking):
Franklin Square Union Free School District in Franklin Square, NY | GreatSchools

Valley Stream School Districts (all 8/10 rankings);
Valley Stream Central High School District in Valley Stream, NY | GreatSchools
Valley Stream 13 Union Free School District in Valley Stream, NY | GreatSchools
Valley Stream 30 Union Free School District in Valley Stream, NY | GreatSchools
Valley Stream 24 Union Free School District in Valley Stream, NY | GreatSchools

Good real estate sites;
Estately | Homes for Sale, MLS-based Real Estate
MLSLI.com
http://www.trulia.com

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by likeminas

A 4 br apt/house in a 'great' school district for 400k is just not gonna happen.
Maybe a 2br, and even then I think you'd have to do a lot of searching.

You need to go over 1 m. To get your wish list.

You can get into Millburn for $750k or so, but its a >90 minute commute to Columbia. Probably a better question for the NJ forum; there are likely towns in Bergen which fit the requirements for only twice the price. Less if you're willing to accept a "good" school district and not one of the prestige districts. Yard would be pretty small.

[illinois1]

Thanks - you have each confirmed what we expected, that our budget is unrealistic. What about New City, white plains or Nanuet...are those significantly farther via public transportation than our desired 1 hr commute time?

[Coney]

Less than an hour to Columbia is not going to happen at your budget. Long Island has some fabulous school districts, but houses are much more than your budget. Four bedroom homes are not the norm in this area, but you can get a 3 bedroom house in a very good school district if you can handle a commute of an hour 15 min., if you are lucky or more likely a 90 minute commute. Also factor in property taxes 9-15K, state income tax, and MUCH higher cost of utlities and auto/home owner's insurance, closing costs of 14-20K. Can you still afford to buy?

[Coney]

Originally Posted by illinois1

Thanks - you have each confirmed what we expected, that our budget is unrealistic. What about New City, white plains or Nanuet...are those significantly farther via public transportation than our desired 1 hr commute time?

White Plains? Maybe, I defer to other posters. Not the greatest schools. New City and Nanuet in Rockland will be more than an hour. Still don't think you will get 4 bedrooms at that price up there and you'll still have fairly high taxes and utilities to consider.

[bg7]

If you want to get to Columbia in an hour, then the affordable LI places with good school districts are out. Westchester is the most convenient commute, but no way you are finding somewhere the size you want at that prioce range. I would try a good school district in NJ thats not easily commutable by rail, which will tend to keep the prices lower. Drive in to work.