Moving to Peekskill NY Area (Yorktown, Cortland: rental, crime, houses)

[militarywife08]

Hello,

I wanted to know if Peekskill NY a good place to live. We are a military, african american family. I also wanted to know are there good towns nearby thats also a great place to live. ANy additional information about rental houses and elementary school would be of great help also. Please be honest and do not hold back on anything. I am looking for a safe and diverse place to raise my kids. Thanks so much for your time.

[NJGirl12]

Where are you moving from and where will you/your spouse need to get to for work?

I don't live in Peekskill yet, but we are moving there in two weeks and we've spent quite a bit of time there. Its definitely diverse, as far as I can tell its safe, although there are likely some who would tell you otherwise, and I think that the schools are good, although schools in other districts/towns in Westchester have better reputations. It has several large parks and is close to lots of recreation options, which is one of the bigger selling points for us, as well as some of the friendliest people - the neighbors of one of the houses we looked all introduced themselves and one brought out a dish of water for our dog. It's also one of the relatively less espensive areas to live in Westchester. I've seen several homes for rent in Peekskill listed on craigslist. Yorktown, Mohegan Lake and Shrub Oak are all right there as well.

[militarywife08]

Thanks for the response, the information is very helpful. My husband will work in Peekskill and I am not sure if or where I will work. My husband is from Brooklyn NY. We are military so we have travelled a lot. We won't move there until the end of the year.

[dma1250]

I agree with NJGirl12. Peekskill is very diverse--racially, socially, and economically. Large middle class population that has been there for ever, large population of artists and more recent arrivals from the city, and large lower income population. The crime is relatively mild and largely centered on a small area. The schools are okay to good. Peekskill has a number of good restaurants, a great coffee house, performing arts center, museum, galleries, places with live music, and a number of great parks. It is very close to excellent hiking.

Croton, Cortland, and Yorktown are all nearby. Generally, the schools are "better" and the prices are higher, but all three towns have a huge range of prices depending on the area and specific house so you can probably find something at almost any price point between 350K and 5 million.

[mazou]

I hope your move is going well. I lived in Peekskill many years ago, and found many nice people there. The commute into the city is not bad, and the waterfront is simply gorgeous.

I have heard many great things about Furnace Woods Elementary, in fact, a friend moved from NYC specifically to put her daughter in this school. I believe it is in the town of Cortlandt Manor, which is right next to Peekskill. Good luck!