life around New York City? (Pearl River, Newark: real estate, rentals, neighborhoods)

[the doctors wife]

My husband has been offered his dream come true job of a life time at The Natural History Museum in New York and I truly dont want to get in the way of his dreams, but being a mother of two and having lived in the countryside of England all my life this is the biggest step I have ever considered. I am TERRIFIED, please can anyone offer me advice on where I might consider moving to in the area, I am assuming the "burbs" would be a good place to start but what about living costs and schools? Theres so much to think about.

[newyorkdoc]

You need to tell us what exactly you're looking for in an area. That would help us to direct you more.

[honeychrome]

Certainly there are exceptions, and the NYC 'burbs are probably better served by public transportation than just about any other US city, but for the most part I think the suburbs often reflect the worst of the city and the worst of the 'country.' No doubt it would be a radical change, but consider embracing city life and all that it has to offer (if it is affordable, that is). There are fantastic neighborhoods for families in Brooklyn and Queens with easy access to countless cultural events and activities. You can easily live without having a car, and in my experience the sense of 'community' in either the city or rural areas is far stronger than in the 'burbs. As food and fuel prices climb many suburbs will be come less viable, particularly those with no pubic transportation.

I've lived in cities, rural areas and the suburbs- I'll take the cities or rural areas over suburbs any time.

[the doctors wife]

New York Doc, Thanks for taking time out to consider my plight, this is what i can tell you right now;
im very weary of hustle and bustle, but if i have to im sure i can adapt, i dont have any fantastic job prospects but would be happy with part time job in a store or cafe etc.
my son is 12 years old (13 at time we should be moving) i would like him in a school where he will be made welcome and feel safe, he loves a challenge so were not concerned about the change in education im quite sure he will thrive on it once he is settled. id prefer to be living reasonably close to the school as he is not very streewise yet.
my daughter is only a baby so im sure at some point childcare will become an issue but not just yet.
with regard transport we dont drive and would be relaying on public transport, we were considering ST George, Staten Island, with the ferry and subway to the museum, does this seem realistic?

[the doctors wife]

Hi Honeyrome, cheers for the advice, would you be able to name a couple of rural areas you have liked so that we can look into them for ideas. I wonder also if you would mind me asking if you have or had children where would you like best to bring them up?

[honeychrome]

Parts of Staten Island are fairly nice, and I think most who live in NYC wouldn't really consider it 'the 'burbs'- particularly the St. George area, right by the ferry. I have friends who live in St. George and for the most part seem to really like it. Not as much going on as areas in Brooklyn and Queens (not quite as gentrified... yet), and in the middle of winter the ferry can be tiresome.

The rural areas I personally like are much too far from the city for daily commuting, though there are some areas up along the Hudson River that are rural and commutable by metronorth if you can afford the real estate. I spend a little more than half of the time in northern Delaware County and a couple weeks a month working in NYC- I'd rather be 95% upstate, 5% in NYC, but opportunities for making a living upstate aren't plentiful.

No kids yet. If/when we'll raise them upstate. I had a rural, 'free-range' childhood (but with plenty of weekend visits to cities, museums, etc.) that was fantastic. Of course my parents had as much to do with it as a location did, but I believe the rurality played a large part and I'd hope to be able to give my kids a similar experience. We've had debates/discussions with friends over the city/country childhood things, and for sure there are pros and cons on all sides, but overall I feel many city-raised kids have over-managed lives and are over-saturated with consumer culture. That's just my $.02.

[the doctors wife]

Thanks for that, my husband has just started looking into New Jersey, any comments and thoughts would be great.

[Sgoldie]

There is direct transportation from Jersey City, NJ by way of the Path train to lower Manhattan in one stop, also water taxis to lower and midtown Manhattan. Jersey City is a very mixed city, lots of different nationalities.

The best areas would be directly along the waterfront where there are modern buildings and a light rail train that runs past a modern shopping mall and also has stops at a huge waterfront park (where the science center is) across from the Statue of Liberty. Google the name Paulus Hook for a map and further info. There is a top rated high school near the mall.

Nice views of the Manhattan skyline and not far from the Newark Airport. It would be possible to live there without driving.

K. Hovnanian's® Metro Living: 77 Hudson: Surrounding Area: Public Transportation

www.paulushook.org

Westchester County and Long Island are going to be less ethnically mixed but it would be very hard to live without having a vehicle. Besides Manhattan, Brooklyn and Jersey City would be your best bet.

[the doctors wife]

Paulus Hook is definately worth thinking about thank you for the links, ive had a quick look and will no doubt have a thorough read with my husband this evening.
Last night we looked at, Essex, for closeness to Manhatten, so far narrowing down to Caldwell, Verona and Millburn. We have no real details yet just maps to pin point the areas and suggestions from you guys and another forum my husband has been on. Were looking at photos to get an idea of atmosphere, estate agents for rentals to check out prices and plan to look into schools for achievement records and success rates. This is hard work and very frustrating but very exciting also, thank you all of you who have advised me so far your ideas are very much appreciated.

[acip]

This is def exciting and scary all at the same time. I moved to Rockland county almost thirty years ago from the city. I worked in Manhattan and took the bus into the city.
It was about an hour ride more of less. The point I am making is that I moved here and knew no one here and very little about the area except that it was close to NYC .
Well, I have no regrets. All three of my children went on to college, attended Pearl River schools and had so many activities offered to them in/out of school .
I do drive (have to in my line of business) but the bus system from what it was 30yrs to now is great. More taxi service in the county and I know plenty of people who do not drive here and get around just fine and commute to the city everyday with no problem.
I wish you all the best