Is Dobbs Ferry very..um.. Republican? (Tarrytown, Hastings: fit in, new home, neighborhood)

[ceskykrumlov]

We are diligently trying to find a new home in a village/town that will suit us (a family of 4 with 2 little kids), and we went to Dobbs last weekend for the Ferry Festa. It was so much fun! And we felt a great neighborly vibe there, and were surprised by how many cute little shops and restaurants there were.

Anyway, someone who lives in Westchester has just mentioned to me that she thinks Dobbs is actually very "Republican" and we are looking for a town with at least a bit of a mixed or progressive bent. A mix of Dems and Republicans would be fine---as long as we don't feel really out of place and like we would need to hide our more liberal points of view to fit in.

Anyone with an inside view? Thank you, and I really don't mean to diss Republicans by starting this thread! I actually have Republican friends, too...we are just looking for a town that has liberals too. :-) Thanks.

Sidenote: We also considered Croton (esp. after hearing so much about it on this board) but found it reaaaallly small and sleepy (although we did enjoy a great brunch at Justin Thyme!). That scared my husband off...so we thought the lower rivertowns might be a bit more lively--and like I said we loved Dobbs last weekend. Just wondering about the cultural~political vibe.

[nadia32]

Dobbs Ferry- Republican??? absolutely not. Generally speaking- the Rivertowns- Tarrytown, Irvington, Dobbs Ferry and especially Hastings are considered Democratic strongholds. The political vibes in these towns are liberal.

[ceskykrumlov]

Whew. Thanks Nadia.

[rubygreta]

Let's say it were "Republican." Would that actually dissuade you from purchasing a property? I can count on one hand the number of people in my community that I have discussed politics. And the neighbor that I do discuss politics with, who happens to be diametrically opposed to my political view, is a great guy.

And based on the tone of your post, you need to know that Republicans like rock music, the culture of NYC, and probably everything Democrats like (other than Barack Obama).

[bmwguydc]

Dobbs Ferry definitely leans more Democratic, somewhere in the nature of a 60-40 split with some independents for good measure. As nadia32 has pointed out many of the river towns are more progressive and liberal leaning in nature, and even heavily Republican strongholds in Westchester aren't akin to the stereotypical Republican communities that one may envision when they hear that more are registered in the party in a particular jurisdiction as much of the area tends to be more moderate.

[ceskykrumlov]

Thanks bmwguydc. Rubygreta, didn't mean to offend you or anyone else. I think I made that clear in my original post. I was just interested in the general community's political mix. I think it is a fair and valid question to ask.

And yes, I wouldn't buy a property in a heavily Republican neighborhood (not that I am planning on buying anything, btw.) That's my choice. I grew up in one and would like more of a mix, that's all.

[nadia32]

Ceskykrumlov- I totally agree with you. I wouldn't want to purchase a home in a staunch Republican area. In my opinion, one's political beliefs affect how they believe the educational system should be run, how they think funds should be allocated and the general feel, aura and culture of a place. That being said, as bmwguy wrote- there really aren't any of those stereotypical Republican places in Westchester. I think a good mix of political perspectives is nice.

[rubygreta]

Originally Posted by nadia32

Ceskykrumlov- I totally agree with you. I wouldn't want to purchase a home in a staunch Republican area. In my opinion, one's political beliefs affect how they believe the educational system should be run, how they think funds should be allocated and the general feel, aura and culture of a place. That being said, as bmwguy wrote- there really aren't any of those stereotypical Republican places in Westchester. I think a good mix of political perspectives is nice.

Interesting. I would describe my politics as very conservative, but would happily consider living in very liberal towns such as Croton or Nyack. Guess we conservatives just are more tolerant.

[mrspabs]

Westchester overall is slightly more democratic than republican, at least when it comes to presidential elections.

Not to turn this into a debate, but I think its very relevant whether your neighbors are mostly conservative or liberal. Take the current debate over sex ed for instance. I would want to live in a town where we can agree on whether kids get comprehensive sex ed or abstinence only sex ed. Or whether they teach evolution etc.. These local issues affect your family directly!

[dma1250]

On the one hand, it does matter to me that my neighbors are all democrats and that before elections our community association always invites the local Democratic candidates to our events (so we can meet them) but never the Republican ones. One of our neighbors is a Republican and we are very friendly, but I do feel more comfortable knowing that most of my neighbors share my basic values.

On the other hand, I think some posters are exagerating the potential evils of a more conservative town. The teaching of evolution is determined by the state, not by the town. And I am pretty sure that NY state only funds comprehensive sex-ed programs, not abstinence only ones. And accepting political diversity is an important skill for kids and grownups to learn too--just as key as accepting differences in race, culture, sexual orientation, etc.