Manhattan or Westchester? (Rye, Bedford, Scarsdale: relocate, real estate, apartments)

[Pat_lucas]

Hello,
We are a Brazilian family moving to NY at he end of the year. My husband and I will be working near Grand Central Station. The girls are going to be 15, 14 and 4. My younger daughter has Down syndrome. The older ones are into music. The younger one would require a nice inclusive kindergarten.

We have always wanted to live in NYC and go to concerts, shows and theatre. But I have been told quality of life is much better in the suburbs. We will certainly be getting a lot of visitors from home and would have to have extra room for a live in nanny as well. I know it is very expensive to have 4 bedrooms or more in the city center, but as our company will help with the expenses, we would be prepared to pay around 6,000 to 7,000 per month.

I have looked at NYT Real estate section and for that price we could rent a lovely house outside. Not so much offered in terms of apartments.

What would you recommend we do?

Pat

[Viralmd]

Because you have children who are in middle/high school, you'd be better off in Westchester, because the public schools are better. Especially with kids learning or perfecting their English.

The only other realistic option for Manhattan would be private schools, but that might be a problem: testing is about a year in advance, and admission isn't guaranteed. Excellent test scores are needed, as well as an interview. Tuition would run around $25,000/year for each child, not including uniforms, books, etc. It goes up from there as the grades advance.

I would suggest Scarsdale, Bedford/Bedford Hills, Rye, Mount Kisco or Chappaqua in Westchester. It's an easy ride on the train to Grand Central from any of these areas and they're lovely. Plus their public schools are excellent. The other thought would be in Connecticut...

[Ace Rock]

Westchester. Good schools, larger house, and more room for your nanny/maid/guests that would replicate the life you have in Brazil. 35-50 minute Metro North train to Grand Central.

I know a Brazilian who relocated to Manhattan with her husband's corporate job. She HATES it. His U.S. corporate income bought them a nice life in Brazil: maids, large house for extended family, cooks, drivers, and other servants. In Manhattan, she lost all that. Very hard culture shock. I have heard other stories like that too.

As for shows, culture, and theater, you can take the train to Manhattan to meet your husband after work, or drive into Manhattan on weekends.

Originally Posted by Pat_lucas

Hello,
We are a Brazilian family moving to NY at he end of the year. My husband and I will be working near Grand Central Station. The girls are going to be 15, 14 and 4. My younger daughter has Down syndrome. The older ones are into music. The younger one would require a nice inclusive kindergarten.

We have always wanted to live in NYC and go to concerts, shows and theatre. But I have been told quality of life is much better in the suburbs. We will certainly be getting a lot of visitors from home and would have to have extra room for a live in nanny as well. I know it is very expensive to have 4 bedrooms or more in the city center, but as our company will help with the expenses, we would be prepared to pay around 6,000 to 7,000 per month.

I have looked at NYT Real estate section and for that price we could rent a lovely house outside. Not so much offered in terms of apartments.

What would you recommend we do?

Pat