Moving to Rockland?? (New York, Ramapo, New City: house, buyer, school districts)

[momismoving]

My husband and I are planning on movng up to Rockland County. We are looking at the southern end of it. Pearl River has been our plan but I'm wondering if the any other areas are worth considering...Tappan, Orangeburg, Blauvelt, West Nyack. We are moving from the city and would still like a sidewalk or two to walk on. I'm a stay at home mom (for now) with 3 young kids. Would consider ourselves middleclass working family. All opinions on the best fit are welcomed. I know we could look for homes forever so I'm trying to narrow it down. Thanks.....

[havoc315]

Rockland doesn't have too many real side walks. Most of the county is 1960's and 70's residential sprawl.
Pearl River does have a bit of a town feel. Other similar areas with good schools, may be Piermont and Tappan. The other areas you mentioned have good schools, but not that "sidewalk feel."

Best place in Rockland to feel that type of environment, is to spend time in Nyack. That said, people have diverse views on Nyack schools, so not every family would want to live there. But whether or not the schools are for you, Nyack is a great place to visit.

[momismoving]

Thanks for your input Havoc. I have friends in West Nyack and do like the town alot. What do you know about the school districts, specifically, Pearl River vs. Clarkstown (which I believer West Nyack falls into). I've been told to watch the town lines because you can assume you are in one district and fall into another? Thoughts?

[havoc315]

Yes, ignore the post-office, just ask which school district it falls within. Clarkstown and Pearl River are both highly rated schools, but VERY different. (A relative of mine, was formerly the principal at Pearl River H.S.). Clarkstown schools cover a wide area. The district includes 2 large high schools. Overall, it is a fairly affluent area, but there is some religious and ethnic diversity.
Pearl River is much smaller -- the high school includes the 8th grade. Pearl River also lacks diversity. It is solidly middle class -- much of the population consists of NYC cops and firefighters. The town is heavily Irish Catholic.

So it's a matter of which feels right to you.

With a few exceptions, in most of Rockland County, you're not going to have the type of home where you can walk into town. (If that's important to you, you may also want to check Suffern).

From West Nyack, for example, you will drive everywhere. And really, "West Nyack" is just a line on a map. It's part of the Clarkstown school district, specifically South Clarktown High School. To me, West Nyack is really no different than southern New City or Bardonia.

Similarly, if you want to look in South Orangetown schools, that includes Piermont, Blauvelt, Tappan, and South Orangeburg.

When searching for homes, it may be more important to you, to search by school district, as opposed to town lines.

[plainslife]

You'll certainly have to develope a few new living skills if you intend to live in Rockland County. Its a suburb of NYC, but it has its own distinct character, quality, demands, disappointments, surprises, drawbacks and unique pacing. As well as its own quirkiness and provincialism; for better or worst. Real personal growth probably demands that you leave the place eventually, but in the meantime it is a good place to be. Even though the county has become increasingly crowded in the last 50 years, it is still a fairly good place to live. I would certainly consider these towns for someone planning to raise a family: New City, Bardonia, West Nyack, Nyack, Upper Nyack, Valley Cottage, Pomona, Orangetown, Tappan, Congers, Rockland Lake, Thiells, Stony Point, Tompkins Cove, Pearl River, Airmont, Suffern, and some areas of Nanuet. I would advise steering clear of Spring Valley and Monsey. Why? Quite frankly because those towns are bleak, ugly, entropic and run by intransigent forces that are interested in their own concerns, and certainly not your's. By the way, the schools there aren't so hot either. Garnerville and Haverstraw aren't especially inspiring either. My first choice would be Clarkstown with its outstanding schools, parks, excellent library. shopping, services, remaining clusters of forests, and truly friendly, if somewhat anxious people. On the weekends you can go hiking in Harriman Park in the northern part of the county. Orange County shares the park, and truly it is one of the great benefits of living in the New York Metropolitan Area. Good luck.

[rusty78]

Momismoving...take some time and visit the high schools in some of the area's that were suggested to you......for after a visit you may decide that school system is not for you......perhaps you should buy a book on moving/relocating/purchasing your first home...for somewhere on the first page you will read - LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION - the 3 most important things to consider when moving...and one of the most important is SCHOOLS....

Luckily for you...you have a friend in Rockland who can tell you where to look...or better yet where not to look......but no matter where you decide to go...you will need a car...for Rockland is basically a bedroom community with most residents commuting out of the county daily to and from work...

Somewhere on this site you can review the schools and the scores they average on a state exam...you should review the site and the schools in the area for no other reason than to eliminate some of the area's suggested...however...Pearl River is great and will offer you everything you want other than sidewalks...unfortunately...Pearl River is a highly sort after area and it is not uncommon to pay a higher price for a smaller older house to be in Pearl River...however...buyer beware...for parts of Pearl River go to the East Ramapo School district....and that is one school district that you will want to avoid...