Hastings vs. Irvington, NY or Montclair, NJ (Yonkers, Eastchester: good schools, organic)
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I am a journalist with an 8-year-old daughter and I'm currently living in the northernmost part of Westchester. I am hoping to relocate to a town closer to the city. I have narrowed down my search to Hastings on Hudson, Irvington, or maybe Montclair, NJ. I am looking for an educated, upper middle class community with a sizable percentage of professional women and a city-focused vibe. The commute from all three towns is fine for me, though I wonder what the situation is with parking. Also, both Hastings and Irvington seem to have good schools, but any information along those lines is appreciated as well. I am also wondering about convenience and shopping, especially food. Are there good grocery stores, take out food, decent inexpensive restaurants with a diversity of cuisines in town/near the train station? (I know Irvington and Hastings both have good restaurants on the expensive side -- I'm thinking more along the lines of inexpensive Thai and other ethnic cuisine and the like). Finally, wondering about friendliness and whether it's easy to make and keep friends for my daughter. She is having a tough time because even though she is extremely friendly, where I live is so spread out that it's hard to arrange playdates and get togethers for her, and I have so little in common with the families up here that I admittedly lack incentive to pursue friendships on her (or my) behalf.
I'm in a similar situation. Moving to the river towns next summer. I'm tilting towards Hastings-on-hudson for the schools, topography and walk-ability. I've been scouting the area for two years now and there's really nothing in terms of restaurant or shopping diversity. Although, if you have a car there's more choices nearby. Irvington lacks a supermarket and an absence of cultural diversity. Dobbs and Hastings both have supermarkets and fair a little better in terms of cultural diversity but not by much. Regarding friends for your daughter. She'll do better if you decide to live in-town instead of its outskirts. For instance, each time I visit Hastings I've seen kids playing in the park, riding bikes and yes selling lemonade. Hope this helps.
Lived in Hastings. Restaurants are good -- high end expensive ones are good but all of the local standard fare -- diner, pizza, Chinese, are good too, but nothing too diverse. There are a few places that have set up shop since I left that I can't comment on, but nothing too diverse. We still go there for bagels, the diner, and a great independent health food store. As far as shopping, the Food Emporium is good (not great) but you have Stew Leonard's (great) about 10 minutes away.
Definitely professional educated city-based moms are the norm. We found the kids to be a little cliquish. Schools are great for the middle of the bell curve but not so much for either end.
I can only speak for the river towns. We live in Irvington. The schools are great and it's very centrally located. You have 2 Stop&Shops near by (Dobbs and Tarrytown) and 2 Whole Foods (WP and Ridge Hill/Yonkers). If you're looking for cheaper food alternatives, there is a great Mexican in Dobbs (Tomatillo) and lots of Thai in Ardsley and Sleepy Hollow. All the towns are so close that you use them as your own. It's a very friendly community, from my experience. Good luck.
Ha...I did the same thing! TJs is not nearly as popular here as in CA, although there are some in Larchmont, Scarsdale/Eastchester and I believe Hartsdale. But I should warn you they don't sell wine or spirits in Tjs here (or in grocery stores or Costco...stupid law where you can't sell spirits in the same place as beer), so say goodbye forever to cheap wine.
Doesn't anyone shop at Trader Joe's? We're about to make the move from SF to Westchester and first think I did was scope out where all the TJ's were
What's the big deal with Trader Joe's, anyway? To me it's basically a big yawn - not really much you can't get anywhere else. I admit, I don't care much about gluten-free, organic, hormone free, free-range, crunchy, blah blah blah.
"What's the big deal with Trader Joe's, anyway? To me it's basically a big yawn - not really much you can't get anywhere else. I admit, I don't care much about gluten-free, organic, hormone free, free-range, crunchy, blah blah blah."
Its not really free, organic, hormone free, free-range, crunchy, blah blah blah - you're confusing it with Wholefoods perhaps. Its also got plenty of stuff that you cannot find anywhere else. Have you ever actually been in one, or are you just dismissing it based on some stereotype you've conceived?
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my 2 cents
