NY decision - would love some advice... (New York, Albany: real estate, house)

[kristalou]

Hi everyone:

My husband and I are struggling with a decision to move (we are both 36, no kids yet). I will try to give you a little background (sorry if it is lengthy... ). We currently live in Orange County, CA. I am a native NYer and grew up on LI. I moved away to CA when I was still in high school (parents wanted to retire). I have since lived in FL and then moved back to CA in 2002. My husband is a native Californian, but has never felt like this is home for him even though his family is here. He has been to NY on a few occassions - both prior to meeting me and with me, and really likes it there.

I have developed a hatred for California - traffic and hyperagressive drivers, every where you go feels like a million miles away due to the geography, and being too close to the wanna-be show biz types have all contributed to this hatred. Except for the weather, I have pretty much had it with the place. We have been considering a move to NY, but have been on the fence about it for a while. Mostly because his parents live here in So. Cal and they are close. They would never consider leaving CA - they love it here. The other issue we are having with our decision is the job market. I work in advertising, but mostly in an adminstrative capacity so I can pretty much work anywhere. My husband has an MBA degree in marketing, but has spent the last several years in business with his father in real estate, so it would almost be like he is fresh out of school to some extent with a prospective employer. His previous experience is in advertising as well, so that is a possibility. We do love LI, but I have seen many posts here and it sounds like LI has really taken a bad turn in many areas. Even though that is the case, it is still our current first choice as we do like it, there must be some good parts left, and we have some family there. I am also a little concerned that our job prospects would mostly be in NYC - the thought of either of us having to commute there doesn't thrill me (although my husband doesn't mind).

The main question I would like to ask is how is the job market in other places in NY for a very experienced executive assistant and a guy with an MBA in marketing? Are we limited to NYC jobs? How is White Plains as opposed to LI? Or even Rockland County (I have some family there and aside from it being pretty, I am sort of unfamiliar)? Or should we just scrap the NY move and fear for our lives on the Southern California freeways every day?! Thanks so much in advance for any insight you can provide.

- Krista

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by kristalou

Hi everyone:

My husband and I are struggling with a decision to move (we are both 36, no kids yet). I will try to give you a little background (sorry if it is lengthy... ). We currently live in Orange County, CA. I am a native NYer and grew up on LI. I moved away to CA when I was still in high school (parents wanted to retire). I have since lived in FL and then moved back to CA in 2002. My husband is a native Californian, but has never felt like this is home for him even though his family is here. He has been to NY on a few occassions - both prior to meeting me and with me, and really likes it there.

I have developed a hatred for California - traffic and hyperagressive drivers, every where you go feels like a million miles away due to the geography, and being too close to the wanna-be show biz types have all contributed to this hatred. Except for the weather, I have pretty much had it with the place. We have been considering a move to NY, but have been on the fence about it for a while. Mostly because his parents live here in So. Cal and they are close. They would never consider leaving CA - they love it here. The other issue we are having with our decision is the job market. I work in advertising, but mostly in an adminstrative capacity so I can pretty much work anywhere. My husband has an MBA degree in marketing, but has spent the last several years in business with his father in real estate, so it would almost be like he is fresh out of school to some extent with a prospective employer. His previous experience is in advertising as well, so that is a possibility. We do love LI, but I have seen many posts here and it sounds like LI has really taken a bad turn in many areas. Even though that is the case, it is still our current first choice as we do like it, there must be some good parts left, and we have some family there. I am also a little concerned that our job prospects would mostly be in NYC - the thought of either of us having to commute there doesn't thrill me (although my husband doesn't mind).

The main question I would like to ask is how is the job market in other places in NY for a very experienced executive assistant and a guy with an MBA in marketing? Are we limited to NYC jobs? How is White Plains as opposed to LI? Or even Rockland County (I have some family there and aside from it being pretty, I am sort of unfamiliar)? Or should we just scrap the NY move and fear for our lives on the Southern California freeways every day?! Thanks so much in advance for any insight you can provide.

- Krista

The job market in the immiate surroundings (LI, Westchster, northern NJ -- not sure about Rockland), should be pretty good. But don't think you will not have to deal with traffic and hyperaggressive drives. Especially on LI.

[kristalou]

Originally Posted by Vagus

The job market in the immiate surroundings (LI, Westchster, northern NJ -- not sure about Rockland), should be pretty good. But don't think you will not have to deal with traffic and hyperaggressive drives. Especially on LI.

You are right, Vagus. Traffic and those drivers are everywhere. God knows you've got the LIE out there which can be like a parking lot! I just think there are varying degrees of it, and unfortunately, it is notoriously bad here in Southern California. Thanks for the heads up on the job market!

[mom2gurls]

I am the opposite..Native OC'er moved to NYC area...would move back in a second..but again....just like LI may be your home Anaheim/Orange Hills/Villa Park will always be mine.

Funny you mention traffic..I have developed a hatred for the fact you have to drive an hour plus 60-75+ miles to get a decent job....and of course you can choose to live elsewhere..but lets call a spade a spade....

You can work in Irivine and even though it will cost you..you can still live in the surrounding burbs with great schools.

Here in NYC, you have to work in NYC..and I would never consider living in the surrounding burbs and to live one more county out (westchester or rockland)...puts you back at an hour commute..and the pricing is that of Orange County. Here in Dutchess..you cant touch a decent 4 bedroom house for under 600k and 12k in taxes and thats 60 miles out. Its like living in Riverside and having to commute to LA because everyplace inbetween is filthy (no manicured lawns, schools are ghetto or wanna be ghetto, trash all over the place). At least back home (minus santa ana and parts of costa mesa/fountain valley of course)...most people take some sort of pride in their homes..at least where I grew up. Great colleges, the beach..and of course if I have to pay up...at least I have weather is as a saving grace.


If you are lucky to work in White plains...and its tough..then you can "get lucky" with only a one hour commute.

I take the 55 south to the 5 or 405 south (or even the crush)..anyday over what life is like over here....

But again..this is comming from a native SoCal girl....so I can emphathize completely with you on how your feel......we are both stuck on the wroooonnnnggggg coast..and like you my dh's family is here...so we are trying to find a "compromise" thing. Perhaps just move south (NOT florida or NC)..but that is about 2 years away.

PM me if you want to swap war stories!

[kristalou]

Originally Posted by mom2gurls

I am the opposite..Native OC'er moved to NYC area...would move back in a second..but again....just like LI may be your home Anaheim/Orange Hills/Villa Park will always be mine.

Funny you mention traffic..I have developed a hatred for the fact you have to drive an hour plus 60-75+ miles to get a decent job....and of course you can choose to live elsewhere..but lets call a spade a spade....

You can work in Irivine and even though it will cost you..you can still live in the surrounding burbs with great schools.

Here in NYC, you have to work in NYC..and I would never consider living in the surrounding burbs and to live one more county out (westchester or rockland)...puts you back at an hour commute..and the pricing is that of Orange County. Here in Dutchess..you cant touch a decent 4 bedroom house for under 600k and 12k in taxes and thats 60 miles out. Its like living in Riverside and having to commute to LA because everyplace inbetween is filthy (no manicured lawns, schools are ghetto or wanna be ghetto, trash all over the place). At least back home (minus santa ana and parts of costa mesa/fountain valley of course)...most people take some sort of pride in their homes..at least where I grew up. Great colleges, the beach..and of course if I have to pay up...at least I have weather is as a saving grace.


If you are lucky to work in White plains...and its tough..then you can "get lucky" with only a one hour commute.

I take the 55 south to the 5 or 405 south (or even the crush)..anyday over what life is like over here....

But again..this is comming from a native SoCal girl....so I can emphathize completely with you on how your feel......we are both stuck on the wroooonnnnggggg coast..and like you my dh's family is here...so we are trying to find a "compromise" thing. Perhaps just move south (NOT florida or NC)..but that is about 2 years away.

PM me if you want to swap war stories!

All very good points, mom2gurls. Thank you! These are all things we need to consider before making our decision. I work in Irvine and live in San Clemente. It isn't so much the distance I travel to work (it is only about 25 miles one way), but the frightening behavior on the roads that irks me. I don't know how long you've been gone, but things have gotten pretty bad here - even only in the short time (since 2002) I have been back in So. Cal the behavior has gotten worse. We do need a fresh start somewhere (DH hates his job and mine isn't very stable), and the only appealing place to my husband seems to be NY. As for me, even though I love NY, I would probably be fine with playing a game of "pin the tail on the donkey" with the map in front of me and just go where ever I land!

[Nbrakern]

Hi there. We are in the exact same boat. My husband and I both 34 and our 3 1/2 year old are getting out of here as soon as our house sells. I've always loved New York. Manhattan too expensive, as is Westchester, Long Island I am not familiar with. We are moving to Orange County... Warwick to be exact. It is about an hour outside Manhattan. Great schools, and picturesque as all get out. No graffitti, beautiful scenery, and EVeryone Speaks English!!! Imagine that. You can personal email me at Nbrakern@i134.com. Basically in the same situation. We are house poor out here, and drive all over for work. I'm an Rn and commute an hour to TArzana, my husband is a computer consultant with his own business, but is going to be getting into real estate out there. We are sick of the traffic, ect. All our family is out here, but aren't that involved with our son, and are no help to us, so what's to keep us??? We are scared too. But we are more scared to stay. Like you said..."We need a change". See you on the East Coast.

Nicole

[mom2gurls]

Warwick "is" very nice...know plenty about Orange County, NY.. Monroe/Woodbury schools are wonderful. But the commute to NYC is more like 1.5 hours..just so you know.

And to the OP, I hear ya on Pin the tail on the donkey...but if you are looking for outside rockland or LI even westchester...You may want to consider the hudson valley area..the problem is that there is just no industry to survive unless you are in the city.

That hasnt changed..oh I moved end of 97'..but all my friends are still there!

[kristalou]

Orange County, NY sounds lovely! Unfortunately, we would have to be closer to the city for work. I am sure it will work out for you, nbrakern. Since you are a nurse, there should be jobs available just about anywhere - nurses are always needed. I can totally relate to what you said about being scared to go but more scared to stay! Glad we're not alone. Good luck to you over there!

Mom2gurls - thanks for the tip on Hudson Valley. I am sure it is gorgeous there. My Mom and sister used to live upstate in Niverville, which I believe was about a half hour or so from Albany. It was very pretty there...something else to consider! But those winters might be a bit brutal for a spoiled NY transplant like myself!

[waring_abbott]

Perhaps the people who mention Orange County (NY) here are thinking of its northern regions. In the area where we are (southern part of Warwick) my wife commutes to the city 45min each way. In these parts that is considered a great trip! She drives and every now and then takes the train from Tuxedo. About the same time.

The job situation here is mainly centered around the city (obviously) and northern NJ where there are a lot of corporate headquarters. There are few if any management or other well-paying jobs in Orange County.

I lived in NYC for 30 years and it took us ten years of weekend "looking" to find the land we now live on (40 acres in Warwick). One of the things I learned was that the formula is very simple and obvious: if you must have a commute of less than 40 min. or so, you will be paying at least twice what we paid to build a house ($450,000). The further out you go, the cheaper it gets. People here commute from Port Jervis on the train -- almost 2 hours. Short commutes in the NY metro area are very expensive.

When I lived in Tribeca I would take the E train uptown to see clients at Madison and 57th and that was 30-40 minutes! Now we're 40 miles further away with 30 minutes additional commuting. It's all relative....

If I can help with Orange County message me privately.

Best,
Waring Abbott

[acip]

I agree as to other areas for work, def Northern NJ, there is Montvale, Mahwah, Ramsey, Paramus, Rochelle Park etc, and Rockland County boarders Upper Bergen County, NJ Check out the classified ads, monster etc and see how the salaries compare and keep in mind what you may not make in money you are saving in traveling Good Luck If you need more info let me know