We're relocating to Warwick from Los Angeles! (New York, Monroe: fit in, apartment)

[Nbrakern]

Hello everyone! I'm the one who posted a question about Orange and Putnam Counties about 2 weeks ago. Thank-you for all the feedback. We fell in love with Warwick. Have an offer that was accepted on a house, and it is contigent on us selling our home out here in California. I spoke to a man in Warwick we met on the street, and to put it bluntly, he sounded kind of racist. That worrries my husband and I. He said "you don't fit in in Warwick unless you are Irish Catholic." Is this how most people up there think? He also said some derogatory comments about the Jewish population in Monroe. Just would like some advice on where to meet some nice young people like ourselves. Also... any advice on how to get through the winters.

[Jason_Els]

What rubbish!

Warwick is not run by Irish Catholics though there are many, plenty of whom have contributed greatly and tirelessly to the town. The majority of Warwick's government, prominent businesses, and social leaders are WASPs. That said, the white mayor has an Asian wife, and there are blacks and Jews in the country club. Race and religion won't deny you anything except the company of a few bigots and the bigots don't run things.

There is one restaurant which may have a problem because I witnessed something that shocked me a great deal and I will not patronize that place again, but I've never seen anything like that elsewhere. Said restaurant is not run by a native, however.

Things were different not long ago. Warwick had a ghetto of sorts and blacks were largely not welcome outside of that area except through the back door however there wasn't any violence. The past 30 years or so have changed things radically and while Warwick is still considered a WASPy community, it isn't unwelcoming in that respect. Much of Warwick's population is from NYC now, made-up of well-educated, politically conservative, but socially liberal-minded families just looking for a piece of land and a nice place to live. They're vastly more concerned about their lives than yours.

There is an Irish population, as there is in much of New York, and a large population of Poles as well. Italians too. More and more, however, as the town grows, these distinctions become less important.

Warwick has been the home to Christians, Jews, Wiccans, and others for quite some time and I have never detected any problem. We have gay and interracial couples living quite peacably. For all of Warwick's faults, racism isn't one of them. Yes, there are some intolerant people here as anywhere, but I know of no one who fears for their security or treatment by the law.

His remarks about the Jewish population in Monroe is a reference to the Satmar Hasidim village of Kiryas Joel. They are an ultra-conservative sect of Judaism which does not integrate with the community. They do not acknowledge those who pass by and will actively chase non-Hasidim from their community should you happen to wander in. There have been a number of clashes having to do with the sex of bus drivers, taxation, town services, gerrymandering of school districts (went to the US Supreme Court), and large problems with cultural differences when they are forced to interact with the community at large. There are problems on both sides and frankly, I don't think any of it has to do with them being Jews. There are many, many Jews in Warwick and surrounding lower Orange county and even they have expressed concern that the Hasidm damage the image of the more liberal Jews in the surrounding area.

The latest fight is over water supply. Kiryas Joel is growing rapidly as more Hasidim leave Brooklyn and come up here to live. As a result and due to geography and the size of the incorporated village, Kiryas Joel does not have enough water to supply the very large apartment buildings they plan to build. They're looking to get it from nearby towns who don't want the village to tap into their water supply. The past 10-15 years, Orange county has experienced droughts which have caused municipalities to restrict water usage and now every town is trying to conserve what water it has. Is that the sole reason? Probably not, however the town of Monroe itself has the largest Jewish population in the county even excluding the village of Kiryas Joel which is in the town of Monroe and even Monroe refuses to supply Kiryas Joel with the water it wants. Draw your own conclusions.

The good news though is that this is a very, "live and let live" part of the world. New York state has long been the home of people of unique religions and backgrounds and while I can't speak for the rest of the state, this area should see you quite secure no matter your ethnic, religious, racial, sexual, or any other orientation.

[Sugarloaf resident]

The posting on Warwick - Orange County racism is on target as far as I am concerned. Warwick Valley is a very welcoming community with all manner of residents. It is great place to live, and raise a family. I would take any comments you receive on any Main Street with a grain of salt...If you saw my kids' soccer teams you would see a rainbow of backgrounds. I think most if not all residents think that you should educate your kids, take care of your property, pay your taxes, and don't be a jerk. We spend a lot of time commuting, and taking care of the above. So we are all tolerant of those who have similar values. Good luck, and get the skis ready for winter!

[Jason_Els]

I think most if not all residents think that you should educate your kids, take care of your property, pay your taxes, and don't be a jerk.

Very well said and exactly the reason why New York has so few racial problems compared to some other places. It's not perfect, but I've been in a lot of places around the United States and rarely have I seen anything approaching the peaceful coexistance of New York. New Yorkers just don't have the time to think like that nor do I think but a few are disposed to. There are so many people from all over the world with hundreds of differences that to be prejudiced would mean you couldn't get through your day.

[hjlacey]

Yes, alot more important things to worry about than the color of your skin or your religious beliefs. you pull your weight, I'll pull mine.

[seeker283]

I live in Westchester county but my assistant moved to Warwick 6 year ago and loves it.

She tells me the home prices appreciated nicely during that period and the town is thriving. She's been waiting 3 years for a retail spot to open up on the Main st to open a business. Never a bad word to say, she's of hispanic nationality , married to an Italian both from the Bronx ny. She has never experienced any negativity, they are both in there late 30's for what its worth.

Also ,the scenery is beautiful, your an hour from skiing and there are a bunch of excellent mountain golf courses, lots of room to grow. Good luck

[winnie]

Racist? I suppose you will get scattered idiots wherever you go..sorry you ran into one so soon on your visit..

Run by Irish Catholic?? No. you will fit in just fine if you are Jewish or Chinese for that matter.

Nice place to live? Yes.

This whole southern area of NY is very accepting.

Congrats on your decision and on finding a new home!

[Jason_Els]

you're an hour from skiing

Actually 20 minutes at most.

[TughillTina]

Hi, I don't know anything about Warwick but I do know about Winters! I live near the Tug Hill Plateau and it is a brutual place for winters. I'm a big weather person so here is my way of coping- First make sure you find a home you really enjoy being in. Second-any days that the sun is out I make a point to get in it as best as I can. Third- make friends and lots of them, during winter we are visiting fools nonstop playing cards, having meals, playing board games, etc. Fourth- lay off of the carbohydrates. That one is tough for me. Fifth-learn to ski or snowboard, sounds like you will be near a ski area. Sixth-curl up in some good books, I've learned since moving here I try not to read too much in the good months, I save it for the Lake Effect Season. Anyway hope this helps, these few things have helped me and of course taking a trip down south in the middle of winter is always a plan! If the clouds are too much for you there are sun lamps online that seem to help people too. Good luck and Enjoy!

[desiserver0708]

Monroe is a nice town, and the whole Monroe-Woodbury area is very ethnicly diverse with a large chinese, italian, irish, indian/pakastani, french, hispanic and black population (in that order, sort of) And many Muslims, Jews and Christians alike, but the orthodox jews from Kyrias Joel (more commonly known as Hasidics) are not very easily accepted in the Monroe-Woodbury area, even amongs other jews. I dont want to say anything offensive to them, but really the whole town dislikes thier presence, and we tend to stay out of thier commmunity (town of Kyrias Joel). I have heard pleanty of rumors of rasism, but thats common everywhere. Amongs the best are Monroe-Woodbury and rockland county