Moving- but so many options- HELP! (New York, Rockland: big home, good schools, living)

[Brandon.Platt]

My family is looking to relocate in spring to the New York/Jersey, PA, Connecticut area. I know that's a wide range, but let me explain.

I have family all relocating into or around the city. My brother is going to NYU, my parents have a place in the upper east side, and I have other family within the city as well.

I fortunately work from home, but could eventually end up working in the city in the next 3 years or so. I'd say 35% chance of that. I have a wife and two kids, but given my working from home status I'd need an extra room for office.

I have a solid buy-range to work with (400-700k) but prefer the lower to middle of that range for obvious reasons.

I've grown up mostly in the midwest since moving from Long Island years ago.

Our big wants are a place with good schools, community and suburb living that's not too far from the city. I'd say an hour during off-peak hours by car would be ideal. For me, I'd rather have more modernized interiors of a home with a little land (not more than a couple acres though) and neighbors, but not living on top of one another. An area with younger families is perfect.

Anyway, we've done a lot of looking in Monmouth county and while we like it, every home we've seen has basically the same interior and a focus on space over quality. Big homes in our range, but crappy kitchens, bathrooms, etc. And while it was beautiful and friendly, it was also a bit older.

Anyway, you can get almost any house in almost any area, so I guess what I'm asking for is a little direction. Without the need to commute all the time into the city (perhaps 5 times a month on non peak hours/ weekends) I'm very open to ideas.

Thanks everyone!!

[havoc315]

You may want to look at Rockland County and Orange County in New York.

[OCNYISHOME]

Orange county should meet all your req's as well as avoid all your no's