Looking for commutable areas to NYC to live with family (house hunting, job)

[megale]

this is my last ditch effort for NY state. We are a family of 4 with two elementary aged children, husband has a job in Manhattan. We have pretty much decided that the NY suburbs has the things we are looking for but wanted to see if there were anymore suggestions for NY areas.

we are looking at homes in the $500-$600 range, are very social so enjoy social type areas or neighborhoods, want good public schooling, reasonable commute times to manhattan.

any ideas? we have a couple of house hunting trips coming up and for right now all the areas we are looking at are NJ suburbs that are west (new providence area, morris county) and south of the city in the princeton/plainsboro areas. I have a NJ thread going, so looking more for NY input here.

Anything would be helpful, thanks!

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by megale

this is my last ditch effort for NY state. We are a family of 4 with two elementary aged children, husband has a job in Manhattan. We have pretty much decided that the NY suburbs has the things we are looking for but wanted to see if there were anymore suggestions for NY areas.

we are looking at homes in the $500-$600 range, are very social so enjoy social type areas or neighborhoods, want good public schooling, reasonable commute times to manhattan.

any ideas? we have a couple of house hunting trips coming up and for right now all the areas we are looking at are NJ suburbs that are west (new providence area, morris county) and south of the city in the princeton/plainsboro areas. I have a NJ thread going, so looking more for NY input here.

Anything would be helpful, thanks!

Unfortunately, I'm not sure of how "good" the schools are, but you should check out Maspeth, Queens. It's a lovely neighborhood full of middle class to upper middle class coops and tudor-style homes. Beautiful streets with local pubs, cute shops and restaurants, and lovely parks. The downside is lack of a local subway--but Manhattan is reachable in 12 minutes by car, via midtown tunnel. I have a coop listed over there right now, and I've just discovered the neighborhood. It's a lovely, secluded spot! You'd never think you are in the boroughs.

[mead]

Where in Manhattan will your husband be working? Is it closer to Penn Station or Grand Central Station. This should be a major factor in your decision of where to purchase a home.