Moving from London to New York, neighbourhood advice (Scarsdale, Pelham: apartment, for rent)

[josephcake]

I've been really impressed with the quality of advice on here so I thought I'd ask for some advise for myself.

We're a couple in our mid-thirties with two children of 8 and 5. We're moving to New York from London early next year. We just need advice on which neighbourhoods to consider for us to live. Ideally we'd be in or close to Manhattan (we live in central London now and want to retain our urban lifestyle). However, we do need to be close to some good public schools, I don't think we could afford a private school.

Our budget will be about $5000 for rent and we're looking for a 3 bedroom apartment.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Joe Bama!]

In Brooklyn-Park Slope, cobble hill, Carrol Gardens, and Fort green sound perfect for you.
If you need Manhattan- West Village, Upper West Side, and Tribeca

[Sahona]

Just thought that as a fellower Londoner moving to NY early next year, I would say hi! What's taking you to NY?

[Viralmd]

It's going to be a stretch to get that size apartment in a really good public school district in Manhattan.

You might want to think about other boroughs or outside the city, although you did want an urban setting.

[hsw]

Doubt anyone considers a public school in any major US city as "good" or "safe", at least as defined by most affluent, well-educated parents...

Those w/bucks and kids who choose to live in Manhattan seem to choose to pay for the needed private schools

Those w/a few less bucks, but still education-oriented, seem to opt to buy/rent in Scarsdale (~15mis N of Midtown in suburban Westchester County, NY), a place w/arguably best public schools in NYC region

CT suburbs again "force" private schools as a part of COL, though CT offers notably lower state income tax rates and lower property taxes than NY

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by hsw

CT suburbs again "force" private schools as a part of COL, though CT offers notably lower state income tax rates and lower property taxes than NY

This isn't true. Schools in many Connecticut towns are EXCELLENT: Darien, Greenwich, Westport, parts of Stamford, Easton. While homes in the first three towns can be very pricey, the last two have affordable housing and good schools.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by hsw

Those w/a few less bucks, but still education-oriented, seem to opt to buy/rent in Scarsdale (~15mis N of Midtown in suburban Westchester County, NY), a place w/arguably best public schools in NYC region

Scarsdale is NOT fifteen minutes from Midtown, it's about 20 miles from Midtown and it's akin to thirty minutes on the train. It is a good school district, among many good districts in Westchester.

To the OP, for close-in living with good schools and a quick train commute to Midtown, consider Larchmont, Bronxville, and Pelham. Though suburban, they are convenient to the city, and Larchmont and Bronxville have very nice town centers. Scarsdale is nice, but it's not for everyone, since there are prevailing attitudes in the community that focus on material things and "fitting in" with the prevailing trends.

In the city, consider better parts of Queens like Forest Hills, Douglaston, Little Neck, and parts of Bayside. Riverdale in the Bronx also has schools with a good reputation. Using the LIRR or MetroNorth commuter trains will get you to Manhattan much faster than the bus/subway route from these areas.

There are nice parts of Manhattan, but $5k does not go very far, especially when you need a 3BR. You'd realistically be looking at $7.5+ for that size in many parts of the island, especially in the Village, SoHo, and TriBeCa. One thing to remember about Manhattan is that you have to be judicious about the zoned school district to make sure that you have the better school district.

[josephcake]

Thanks for the responses. I cycle to work so would ideally be within 8 miles of midtown. As much as the suburbs make sense I'm really am a city guy. I'll take a closer look at the neighbourhoods in Brooklyn and Queens that have been mentioned.

Are the elementary schools really that bad in the city?

[josephcake]

Originally Posted by Sahona

Just thought that as a fellower Londoner moving to NY early next year, I would say hi! What's taking you to NY?

I'm being transferred for work. What's taking you there?

...and "hi" to you.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by josephcake

I cycle to work so would ideally be within 8 miles of midtown.

I don't recommend any form of cycling to work on the streets of NYC