Need to relocate from NYC to Dutchess County (Poughkeepsie, East Fishkill: day care, how much)

[lij2kids]

Posted 08-19-2008 at 10:40 AM by lij2kids
Need to relocate from NYC to Dutchess County
We are a family of four. We need to relocate to a place affordable. My husband works in Westcheter, he was told by his colleague that some parts in Dutchess County are nice to raise children. We went to see some houses in Fishskill and EastFishkill. I work in Downtown NYC, and I want to keep my job. Does anyone know which cities in Dutchess County that are close to NYC from the Metro North. How long is the commute and the price. I leave work at 5:00PM and I have to go home to 2 small kids less than 4 years old. I don't want to be overwhelmed or drenched out from a long commute. Any information about child care, like day care, nursery, pre-k. I welcome any suggestions. Thank you very much in advance. And of course, I need to choose between Beacon, Wappingers, Fishskill or Poughkeepsie.

[CampingMom]

Originally Posted by lij2kids

Posted 08-19-2008 at 10:40 AM by lij2kids
Need to relocate from NYC to Dutchess County
We are a family of four. We need to relocate to a place affordable. My husband works in Westcheter, he was told by his colleague that some parts in Dutchess County are nice to raise children. We went to see some houses in Fishskill and EastFishkill. I work in Downtown NYC, and I want to keep my job. Does anyone know which cities in Dutchess County that are close to NYC from the Metro North. How long is the commute and the price. I leave work at 5:00PM and I have to go home to 2 small kids less than 4 years old. I don't want to be overwhelmed or drenched out from a long commute. Any information about child care, like day care, nursery, pre-k. I welcome any suggestions. Thank you very much in advance. And of course, I need to choose between Beacon, Wappingers, Fishskill or Poughkeepsie.

From what I know your looking at least a 45min commute on a good day to Westchester-but that depends on where in Westchester he is going. As to NYC, no matter how you do it, it's not going to be short-my friend goes to the financial district and he rides for over 1 hour each way and that's on a good day. So don't plan on being back here until after 6:15 at least and in winter it can be much later. Most daycares here close at 6pm.

There are a few good daycares in Fishkill-Cinnamon Tree, Ark and Dove, Estelle and Alphonso are a few-although you have to call for opening times-each varies. As to nursery schools, we used Children's Community Services-DeKinder school at the Dutch Reformed Church. We have found that they use a great programs that really readies the kids for kindergarten. They also have a before and after school program for school age kids. Very little pre-K here-if any in the Fishkill area since the Wappingers School District doesn't offer it. You might find a daycare that offers it or possibly a nursery school-but from what I know there isn't alot with pre-K.

[lij2kids]

thank you for the info. I think Dutchess county is predominantly white. How's the African-American community? What's the percentage is like? As far for child care or daycare center, how much is the weekly payment.

[sallyg]

Commuting from Dutchess to lower manhattan?!? yikes. I think it will take you about 2 hours each way. It is a very long commute to lower NYC- you have to get into GCT- then the subway. Why don't you look into Westchester, Rockland or CT???I am not familiar w Dutchess Cty- but don't think you will find too many commuting to lower Manhattan. what is your price range?

[lij2kids]

Westchester county is unaffordable specially for the property taxes, including CT and Rockland county. I can handle an hour and 30 minutes back and forth. Any suggestions? My price range is mid $300 to low $00.

[bmwguydc]

I noticed your post the other day, but could not think of a place to recommend, so I thought about it a bit. An area in Dutchess that would have a good number of homes in your price range, and about 1.5-1.75 hours from Grand Central is Pawling. Pawling is a little further from 84 than Fishkill, but it's Eastern Dutchess, closer to Connecticut. Between $300-$400k, you could get a nice house on a nice lot, the trade-off being the commute. The nice thing about Pawling is that it is a direct commute to Grand Central, on the Harlem Line train. And, it's a small town that's generally very pleasing, having a storied history that is traced back to Quakers who originally settled in the area.

I noticed that you are considering East Fishkill, and the Hopewell Junction hamlet within East Fishkill is highly regarded within the region.

I am not sure about daycare centers in this area, but the schools are good. The only drawback to the region is the commute. How far do you have to travel beyond GCT? If you're close to GCT, it's a long commute, but a secondary commute in NYC from GCT can make it difficult. The good thing about Pawling is that once in town, you'd not have huge amounts of traffic to fight to drive back to your house since the train stop is within the town.

[lij2kids]

From Grand Central, I ll have to take the #4 or #5 train and get off two stops roughly 5 minutes. I would like to know about the African-American community and the price for Day Care. I will not be able to commute 2hrs each way on a daily basis. Any suggestions?

[bmwguydc]

Generally speaking, Dutchess has a small proportion of African American residents by population. I'm not sure on the childcare issue, unfortunately. Perhaps someone else on this forum can supply that information.

It's good that you're close to Grand Central, and to keep under 90 minutes, I would definitely check into Beacon because of the express trains on the Hudson Line. The Harlem Line trains are generally slower than the Hudson. Beacon also has a higher percentage of African Americans by population than other areas in Dutchess. It might be a good choice, especially with the convenience of the train in town, though I'd not want to venture too far from the train, lest it add to the commute on the home end.

Hope that helps some.

[imahaz]

Moderator cut: no ads, please The schools here are very good as my child have both done very well on the state tests so the schools have to be teaching (those of course that want to be taught) I do know that there are african americans in the area however as stated in other posts it is small.
As for day care in dutchess yes there is cinnamin tree that is good, and some others, but pretty much no matter where you are you will have to travel to get there, might be best to hire private because the costs of the places here are not that cheap to be honest.
As for Metro North to the city, I know my home is a mile and a half from the train, but I believe it is about 96 mins to grand central.
Beacon might be a shorter ride for you to the city, however the quality of life is a bit different there.
hope I answered some of your questions

[lij2kids]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am thinking about Beacon. I will try to take a ride from Grand central to Beacon one day from work. Please let me know if I am missing anything else?