Looking for a suburb to live in outside of NYC. NJ, NY, and Connecticut are all options. (Yorktown: how much, houses)

[garcon4]

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking to move into a suburb outside of NYC. I know about the long commutes and expensive prices. Here's the information I am looking for:

- Safe Suburbs in NJ, NY, or Conn. That you can live in and work in NYC (Manhattan) with an average time frame door to door

- A large backyard an acre or 2. For a pool, dogs, etc

- Good public schools

- Any other tips or info would also be appreciated

Thank you so much!

[KensingtonPark]

I suspect people are going to tell you to specify your price range and your desired commute duration. If money and time are of no significance, you have a lot of options. Tighten either (or both), and your options will narrow considerably.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by KensingtonPark

I suspect people are going to tell you to specify your price range and your desired commute duration. If money and time are of no significance, you have a lot of options. Tighten either (or both), and your options will narrow considerably.

^^Yes, this.

Regardless, for 1+ acres the OP will almost certainly find him/herself looking north of I-287. In Bedford, Chappaqua, New Canaan (CT), Pound Ridge, S Salem, etc. such properties are common. The commute will be not be "average" (whatever that would be), it will be more. Look at aerial views on Trulia or Zillow

Not sure how much 1+ or 2+ zoning there is in Yorktown, and other towns west of those noted. In those towns larger lots certainly exist but with smaller zoning they feel less 'rural.' 1 or 2 acres below 287 will be very, very expensive indeed.

[garcon4]

Originally Posted by kletter1mann

^^Yes, this.

Regardless, for 1+ acres the OP will almost certainly find him/herself looking north of I-287. In Bedford, Chappaqua, New Canaan (CT), Pound Ridge, S Salem, etc. such properties are common. The commute will be not be "average" (whatever that would be), it will be more. Look at aerial views on Trulia or Zillow

Not sure how much 1+ or 2+ zoning there is in Yorktown, and other towns west of those noted. In those towns larger lots certainly exist but with smaller zoning they feel less 'rural.' 1 or 2 acres below 287 will be very, very expensive indeed.

Thank you for the information. The reason I didn't put a price range is I plan on building the house I live in. Also, I'm new to this, so I didn't know how specific to be

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by garcon4

Thank you for the information. The reason I didn't put a price range is I plan on building the house I live in. Also, I'm new to this, so I didn't know how specific to be

First, you need to be quite specific and not ask questions that a forum search would answer.

Second, if you plan to build then money is apparently no object if you also want a good commute. For a variety of reasons you'll find this a much more difficult option than it would be in most parts of the country.

[Theige]

Originally Posted by garcon4

Thank you for the information. The reason I didn't put a price range is I plan on building the house I live in. Also, I'm new to this, so I didn't know how specific to be

If you're building the house yourself, you'll likely be looking at northern Westchester, unless you would demolish a house to build your own.

There is very little empty land in southern Westchester.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by Theige

If you're building the house yourself, you'll likely be looking at northern Westchester, unless you would demolish a house to build your own.

There is very little empty land in southern Westchester.

^^^Yes. Not so much up north either, though. it's the difference between virtually none (except tear-downs) and a little (also with maybe more tear-down possibilities). I live in an area with several obvious tear-down houses - beautiful locations, great properties but crappy, mid-50s ranches in mediocre condition. But vacant land? Not so much.

[garcon4]

Originally Posted by Theige

If you're building the house yourself, you'll likely be looking at northern Westchester, unless you would demolish a house to build your own.

There is very little empty land in southern Westchester.

Thank you I appreciate the information!

[yiplong]

Originally Posted by Theige

If you're building the house yourself, you'll likely be looking at northern Westchester, unless you would demolish a house to build your own.

There is very little empty land in southern Westchester.

Commuting from northern Westchester to NYC would not be nice.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by yiplong

Commuting from northern Westchester to NYC would not be nice.

And yet.... thousands do it daily, one way or another, because they value the lifestyle and wouldn't trade it for anything they'd ever find father south.