Any Thoughts On Peekskill (Yonkers, Pelham: real estate, trip , jobs)

[Amanda73]

Contemplating returning to the East Coast from California. I'm originally from NJ, but several people have recommended that I think about living in NY. Peekskill has come up in several of my real estate searches. I would be working in midtown - somewhat near Penn Station, and I do not want to spend much more than 2 hours a day communting (total). We do not have kids, so schools are not really a big factor (except as it affects resale value for a house).

Thanks!

[eslteacher]

Peekskill is a nice little town, although some of it is a bit ghetto. The schools are not excellent, but they are acceptable. The area has a growing arts community. The town is on the river, which can be quite beautiful. The commute is not terrible, although if the train you take is not express you have to switch in Croton-Harmon. Check out the schedules on the mta web site. Trains from Peekskill go into Grand Central, not Penn Station, so if you end up working on the west side it can be a bit annoying.

[artsfan]

Peekskill has some nice restaurants and shops as well as an excellent theater that brings in well-known performers. Parts of it have gentrified as a result of money from Entergy, which owns the nearby nuclear power plant and is trying to improve its image, and the fact that Gov. Pataki grew up there and, people seem to think, has sent state funds Peekskill's way.

If you are looking for a closer commute and the same on-the-verge feeling, take a look at Yonkers, which is attracting interesting people, has lovely old housing along the river and is a 20-minute commute.

[Amanda73]

Thanks for the feedback. I am concerned about spending hours commuting since I'm actually switching jobs in an effort to find more free time.

One more question - is it fairly easy to tell which areas of towns like Peekskill and Yonkers are decent and which one might be better off avoiding? It's a bit intimidating when you have no experience with the area.

[eslteacher]

I don't know a ton about Peekskill neighborhoods, but in Yonkers generally the East side is nicer than the West. The south west is the worst.

[Ellasmom]

I owned a home in Peekskill a few years back. There are nice areas and some not so nice. I don't know how I can tell you through your searches of what is nice area and what is not. I wouldn't mind helping you if you want to email me a road. I know Peekskill pretty well. I moved 25 minutes north, 2 years ago because the prices were better on realestate and the taxes. But I miss Peekskill.

Yonkers is a LOT closer to the city.. but you will pay more for Real Estate for sure. If your not.. it's probably the bad side of town.

Goodluck

[Amanda10]

Hi Amanda73!
I saw your post to me over on the Pelham thread...I lived in Peekskill for about 1.5 years before moving to Corltlandt Manor. I would say it's a cute river town with some nice houses and some not-so-nice ones, too. Definitely not good to settle there if you're considering having children entering the school system. Commute-wise, I'd advise against it. Realistically, you'll spend almost 1 hour on the train each way, there aren't that many train choices coming and going, you'll have to get to the station and park (unless you find a house within walking distance, so factor another 15 minutes or so in there). Then tack on another 10-15 easily to get from Grand Central to Penn Station area!

Sorry to be a downer, but speaking from many years of commuting experience.

Currently my commute is 1.5 hours and that's streamlined (includes the Starbucks stop) and if all goes well. I have the driving to the station and parking leg; the riding the commuter train leg and then the subway leg (down to Noho where I work).

I would recommend Tarrytown or south for you, since you KNOW your commuting limits. If I had only known then what I know now!
Good luck!

[samyn on the green]

If you are working near Penn Station you should consider Queens/long Island since all of the LIRR trains terminate at Penn Station. NJ Transit trains also terminate in Penn Station.

Peekskill is over one hour from Manhattan and the metro north trains from Westchester all terminate in Grand Central which would require a long walk or taxi or two subway trip to get to Penn Station. Also consider that Peekskill has a nuclear power plant within its borders and along with many PJ's it might not be a ideal choice.

[fernanbev]

if u r looking to purchase re based on schools, then peekskill is not the town 4 u. try henry hudson district which is montrose/buchanan right outside of peekskill.

[doghead]

Hi, I live in north yonkers, bordering Hastings. It's a pretty decent area (both N. Yonkers and Hastings). I would consider Hastings however. It's a beautiful, quiet town on the Hudson with a 30 min. commute to Manhattan.