Moving to New York (Monroe, Newburgh: relocation, property taxes, travel)

[Raffaella]

Hi there,

my husband will most probably start a new job in Manhattan, not far from United Nations and we are looking at options for relocation. We have 3 children and can't afford NYC prices. We are coming from Europe and know very little of life in the USA. Where could we find good schools, facilities for families and decent commuting time? We are looking into NJ but we are open to any option and suggestion.

Thank you very much

Raffy

[njisle]

Hi. You may want to look into the lower Hudson Valley. Orange County and Rockland County are both very nice places to live and it's easy to get into NYC via train or bus. You can drive if you'd like also. The Monroe Woodbury school district is very good and the area is nice to live in. Overall the people are highly educated and friendly. New Jersey is a great place to live also, but they are experiencing spiraling property taxes and there's no end in sight. The taxes in NY are high also, but not as bad as in NJ. Also, some people do commute to NYC from Northeastern PA, but be forewarned, it's very tough. The housing and taxes in Northeastern PA are more affordable still, but you'll pay in other ways. Look into all these areas in that order and you'll find something that you like. Good luck and happy hunting.

[Raffaella]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, I will look into it. Any oarticular place in Hudson Valley? Also, my husband will have to ply quite a lot, is there any particular area you coulsd recommend with relatively easy access to JFK and Newark Airports?

[rubygreta]

If you have easy access to JFK you don't have easy access to Newark, and if you have easy access to Newark, you don't have easy access to JFK.

[njisle]

If you live in Monroe, Harriman, Central Valley, or Highland Mills you can get to Newark Airport in an one hour and fifteen minutes or less, depending on traffic and flight times, etc. There is also an airport in Newburgh, NY, which is in northern Orange County, but it's smaller and offers less flights. Try to avoid the airports on Long Island as they're farther away from the Hudson Valley and the traffic is very bad. Teterboro Airport is in southern Bergen County NJ and may be a good one for your husband to use as it's right across the river from Manhattan. I would highly recommend the southern part of Orange County, specifically the four towns listed above. Many residents ride the train to NYC and your husband can meet other commuters. That way he'll learn all the tips about airports, etc.

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

As your husband is going to be working in the area of the U.N. (which is in mid-town Manhattan on the East side), ideally, he should commute by train along one of the lines that travel to Grand Central Station. Doing so will place him just a few blocks to the U.N.; it will be a nice walk over to the U.N.

The other poster mentioned commuting by train from either from Orange or Rockland Counties. Both are doable. In fact, I traveled for years from the Salisbury Mills train station to the mid-town, east side area. However, this is not a "one-seat" ride. It involves taking the train from one for the "West f Hudson" stations (as Metro-North Railroad refers to them) to Seacaucus or Hoboken (both in New Jersey). Then from either junction, one has to board another train which bring one into NYC around Herald Square. From there it's about a 20 minute walk (or 2 subways) to the UN area.

Railroad lines that terminate in Grand Central Station originate in Westchester, Putnam, or Dutchess Counties of New York or in various towns of Connecticut. Here's a link to the railroad map: MTA Metro-North Railroad This should give you some geographical prospective.

If I had to pick one railroad line for an east-side commute, I would pick the Hudson Line as it is a beautiful ride along the Hudson River. The towns and villages along the line are quaint, trains are frequent and most stations have large parking lots.

Let us know if you have more questions.

[njisle]

True, the commute from the east shore is much easier but the cost of living on the west is cheaper. And the river...ah so pretty.

[Raffaella]

Thanks a lot for your reccomendations, I will open Google earth and identify the areas you mentioned. I really value your thoughts.

[njisle]

Use Google Earth and Maps whenever possible. Hopefully the satellite and hybrid features will give you an idea of how beautiful the Hudson Valley is. You can even zoom in over specific neighborhoods just by typing in an address. Try looking for a house with realtor.com and then write down the street address and type it into Google Maps. You may be able to see a view of the house and it's neighborhood. It's really fun to do also. Good luck with your search and enjoy the experience.

[Raffaella]

Forget my ignorance but is the Hudson valley the part north of Manhattan with Tarrytown Hastings on Hudson, etc?