Rockland County - Spring Valley (New York, Ramapo: low income, real estate, rental)

[benzy1977]

I would like feedback (crime, diversity, convenience to main highway, potential for property value to increase) about Spring Valley, New York. I am particularly interested in info about Country Village Heights condominiums or any other town homes.. I am a single African American woman considering buying a town home in the area and I will be commuting to the Bronx for work on a daily basis.

[jyyanks]

I don't have much that much info on Spring Valley but I do know that it has many places to shop. Target, Michaels, Kohls, Nanuet Mall, and close to the Palisades mall. It is also very close to 87 and the Palisades Parkways. It is a diverse area, I had relatives that lived there awhile back and I remember her neighborhood was mixed.

As far as crime goes, you can probably look it up on city-data.com Just type in the city and it will give you all types of stats.

The other thing I would consider is that the commute over the Tappan Zee can be quite nightmarish. You will hit loads of traffic during rush hour 7-9AM and going home from 5-7PM.

[Weapon X]

Stay away from Spring Valley. Horrible schools and, in general, a low income, high crime area. Last year (or the year before), there was a stabbing at the high school. To my knowledge, there are a number of gangs there as well.

[bookw0rm]

Originally Posted by Weapon X

Stay away from Spring Valley. Horrible schools and, in general, a low income, high crime area. Last year (or the year before), there was a stabbing at the high school. To my knowledge, there are a number of gangs there as well.

What Weapon X said. If you have children, avoid Spring Valley. While there are good kids in even the worst schools, the high schools in this district have an awful reputation.

If you don't have kids, you should be fine. Spring Valley as a whole isn't totally bad-- it's just isolated areas.

You might want to have a look at Nanuet: easy access to the Palisades & 287. Close to everything.

[bookw0rm]

Also, if you're commuting to the Bronx, why not have a look at Westchester? Like the previous poster said, it'll cut your commute by quite a bit (you'll avoid the bridge).

Tarrytown, Hastings, Spuyten Duyvil (in the BX), et al.

[lwclu]

I am very sorry to hear of the negative comments about Spring Valley. I have been away for a very long time (since 1955). My family moved there in 1943, when I was 7 years old. It was a very small and lovely little town. There couldn't have been more than 5000 permanent residents. In the summertime the bungalow colonies and the hotels would fill up and the town would become a small city. The schools were excellant and most of the kids went off to college. There were two public elementary schools, North Main and South Main. There was a large catholic parochial school, St. Josephs. There were two Yashivas for the Jewish community. There were also three "orphanages" (Lakeside, HappyValley, don't remember the third). We lived in Hillcrest about a mile from downtown. I hardly ever had to walk all the way home; some neighbor would be passing and give me a lift. All of my memories are warm and fuzzy.

[Janessa Mondestin]

Spring Valley, like any town, is not for everybody. As a professional Realtor, I would advise you to take a look at Spring Valley from your own perspective, not just the comments of everyone else fed off from the media, the papers, hearsay, etc...

Take a drive in during the day, drop by the school district, meet the principals and the teachers, visit the Mayor's office and the police station - these are tools and resources that you need to make your own decision about Spring Valley. Drive by in the evening rush, grab a Pizza at Franks on 59, Maria's on 45. Foodmart International {formerly the flea market} is a gazebo for all sorts of foods, ethnic and domestic. Rockland Community College has its satellite school on the Main St. Ask the churchgoers on Sunday morn at St. Joseph. Ask the SBA office at KeyBank in the downtown historical village.

I am sure if you ask the people who are working here, and are living here - you would get a different perspective. Has it change from yesteryears? Yes - but doesn't everything. But it still has life, and it still has substance. I invite you to the Rotary meetings on Wednesday where community leaders alike meet and discuss and make a difference in Spring Valley.

If you asked a complete stranger about moving to the Bronx - they might be terrified because they have heard horror stories. The same happened to me when I move to Brooklyn for work. People thought I was crazy - but I walked the streets myself and I made my decision based on my life experience.

Crime is committed everywhere, in all neighborhoods. So don't judge the book by its virtual cover - you just might find a place called home here.

P.S. I grew up in Spring Valley and graduated with honors from East Ramapo Schools (Ramapo High). I also achieved *** Laude honors from Fordham University. I run my own real estate business and I focus on my old stomping grounds {Spring Valley} and Nanuet. My parents still live here, my in-laws live here, siblings and cousins are all right here in Spring Valley, safe and sound.

[VA Yankee]

If I had to describe the town "old" would be the best word. It is very diversified not just racially but economically. It got pretty bad at one point almost looking like the South Bronx in the 70's but has rebounded. All the shops appear filled and main street is usually busy. The town has always had an element (even in the 70's) that drag it's reputation down. By comparisson to surrounding towns the schools rate poorly, thats a fact. Any student can excell but it becomes more challenging.

I grew up in the adjoining town and remember the problems in the towns past. I am not going to say any one group is to blame. As a single person though you might want to consider something further east, maybe Westchester to simplify the commute. Down where I live my realtors gave me 2 great ways to see if a property was right. One, if it looks good at 1:00 PM when everyone is at work go by after dinner or the weekend to see how it looks when the neighbors are home. Two go to the nearest 7-11 ( Convenience store) at night to see what the neighborhoods really looks like.

Good luck.

[BillyInNC]

I grew up in Spring Valley, Went to Spring Valley Sr high School. Back in the day it was nice.. and safe..it is not anymore... I dont recommend it. It is becoming a rental community..So no one takes pride in their properties anymore. Drive around RT 59 first thing in the morning..Also visit the local PD..and ask to look at the Blotter for all the Calls for service..

[uptownstory]

The Schools are really really Bad. It's just as Ghetto as what u r trying to escape from in the Bronx. You will have a very very very difficult time selling. You will get less than what u paid for when u sell ur house. The Orthodox Jewish community pretty much run the entire public school system to the ground. And the high immigrant population don't help either