Carmel, Somers or Brewster? (Mahopac: sales, houses, neighborhoods)

[sanscosm]

hi everyone! currently looking to buy my first home, and i am thinking about the aforementioned areas. Basically I want to spend about $350,000, tops, for at least .25 acres of land, and 1200 sq ft. So I think I can work with these areas (Somers, not as much).

My questions:

how is brewster? i have read/heard that it's sketchy, but when looking at realtor.com many of the houses seem to offer a lot of land, very peaceful looking.

Also, I'll be commuting to the Bronx. About how long can I expect my commute when leaving at 6:30 in the morning, and leaving the Bronx at 4? Should I pack language learning cd's for the trip?? lol

And finally, how is the nightlife in these areas? I don't mean clubs or a strip or anything, just some fun local dives that have good wings or burgers.

I'm really just looking for insight about how a young couple would fare living in these areas. I mean we appreciate having dinner parties, barbecues, biking, kayaking, or relaxing in the backyard more than anything else.

thanks in advance!

[jdhall1]

Do you have to be in NY State? You can easily go right across the border into CT for much lower property taxes and still have a similiar commute to the Bronx. There are a lot of shopping and restaurants in Danbury. Danbury has lead the state for money brought from sales taxes over the last few years. All of the business really help out with the taxes. Good luck!

[canyontothesky]

My grandmother lives in Somers. I don't spent too much time there outside of the development where she lives, but it seems very slow going and is a pretty small, quiet town from what I gather, and a good amount of senior citizens, which is also common for Westchester in general.

[Natalpaz]

You will do much better on your budget in Brewster, Carmel and Mahopac. There are some parts of Somers (lake areas) where you can find a small house for about $350,000; but you will not see many choices there.
Basically, any place of the above mentioned are nice, friendly and quiet. There is not much in terms of active nightlife around here, but you are never too far from good "wings and burgers".
The only "sketchy" place in Brewster is the village itself. But most people live outside of the village, in the wider Southeast area, where the neighborhoods are very nice.
Your commute should not be bad, I'd say about 40-50 min. depending on where you end up buying.
Good luck!

[Swurgen]

Originally Posted by sanscosm

And finally, how is the nightlife in these areas? I don't mean clubs or a strip or anything, just some fun local dives that have good wings or burgers.

Red Rooster Drive In - Brewster, NY

Somers is ritzier than Brewster. Brewster features a massive influx of illegal immigrants.