Downtown Tarrytown for young couple/parking concerns? (Yonkers, White Plains: hardwood floors, apartments)

[mdm1]

We are an early 20's couple looking to move to somewhere in the southern/middle part of the county, and preferably not in Mt. Vernon or Yonkers.

Things that matter to us:
Cheap rent, preferably < 1300
Proximity to train station, frequency of express trains and cost/ease of parking (if applicable)
Safe environment for a young woman to be walking around alone
Parking for two cars (on street is fine, but it would be nice to not have to walk 5 blocks to get to it)
Walkability to food, pharmacy, etc is a plus, but not necessary

Things that don't matter to us:
Nightlife
Cultural Activities
Shopping
Schools
Luxury stuff, like central air, hardwood floors, large sq footage, etc

The early indication is that Tarrytown is the best fit for this and has a lot of affordable housing within walking distance of the train station (which has lots of express trains) and various businesses. However, it seems like all the main streets with walk-up apartments above the businesses have metered parking in the immediate area. From walking around, it looks like there is overnight parking on surrounding blocks, but we would like to know how likely it is to find parking for two cars near, say Main and Washington, at 6PM.

So, are we on the right track, or is there a better place to go with our preferences? And is parking in downtown Tarrytown a nightmare?

[mdm1]

Bump for attention. Also seems like Hastings could be suitable, as well as North White Plains, although there doesn't seem to be a lot of affordable housing near the train station, and the parking situation appears to consist of a waitlist.

[wordlife]

There isn't much to walk to, but there are some nice businesses along main street and south broadway. I'm sure that you could find something within that range close to the train station. I wouldn't consider the area dangerous at all, in fact it's quite safe. Parking may be a problem but there are a few lots as well as the metro north parking lot all within the vicinity.

On Washington, north of main you can find parking (especially for two cars), going south there's actually a small lot where you can park as well. The only day you might have trouble finding parking is on the third friday of the month when they have that little family festival on main street. It's a small town and they're are a lot of interesting people that you'll easily befriend either from using the businesses or hanging around the waterfront.

Hastings is a similar town as well. I'd say if you like the feel/similarities in these towns, look at Dobbs Ferry as well. Express trains will always stop in Tarrytown, that's the 1+ that it has on the other towns I've mentioned.

You won't really find too much in your price range that's close to the Metro North in North WP or WP. WP has some ridiculous parking rules (especially for overnight), the farther that you are from the Metro North you'll be able to find something in your range, but it'd easily be a 20 minute walk (granted the weather is good).

I think if you're looking for cheap rent, and you're going to be using the train you should factor in that to you're budget as well. Rents might be cheaper in Tarrytown but the train is more expensive say compared to if you were traveling from Hastings.