Where to live with job in Somers, NY? (Ossining, Ridge: appointed, real estate)

[ec1957]

All,

Need your help. Just got a job in Somers NY, need to know where to live where I can get a 30 to 45 minute commute, best combo of home prices, taxes, crime, etc. Schools are not important since I do not have kids. Am married, in the mid 30's and moving out from Southern California. I'm open to shorter commutes if there is something closer than that. Also, a little scared about buying a home anywhere out there with home prices falling...maybe better to rent since I will only be in the area for around 2 to 3 years max. Would like access to the normal things like a Starbucks, grocery store, etc. Doesn't have to be around the corner, but also don't want to have to drive a half hour to get there. Open to living in CT or wherever. Thanks again for your input.

G

[brahmos]

Where in Somers are you working. Somers ia a big town with Hamlets like Amawalk, Shenorock, and Lincolndale. How much are you willing to spend? Do you want to be fairly close to NYC?

Dutchess County has affordable houses and cheaper rents, but while most of it is on the Metro-North Line, it is a pain to get to NYC from there but it is within an hour of Somers.

Putnam as well has nice places to live. Look into Mahopac.

Also Ridgefield CT is nice (in fairfield county) I would say it would be around 10-25 minutes to get to Somers from there.

Please answer my questions in regards to housing prices/rents, commutes, as well as where in Somers you plan on working.

Good Luck.

[kristiv]

I'll second the Ridgefield suggestion. There are quite a number of people in town who commute to some of the major corporations with operations in Somers.

For a town under 25k in population Ridgefield is pretty all-inclusive, We have your required Starbucks as well as several grocery stores including smaller, speciality, gourmet stores. There is also a performing arts center/theater in town where you can see first run movies, live theater, concerts and the like. Wuite a few good restaurants ranging from the local hot dog man to 5 star possibilities. One department store and several boutiques handle shopping needs. If you like to work out there are several private gyms as well as the town-run Recreation Center. And if you are an outdoors type there are plenty of hiing trails as well as a town-run golf course. I am a Ridgefield real estate agent and I can talk about the town for hours so if you have some specific questions please feel free toask me either through the forum or in a private message.

Kristi Vaughan

[ec1957]

Thanks. I will be right off the 684 and Woods Bridge Road. No need to be close to NY at all. I would be looking for homes in the 350 to 400 range but could go higher if need be. Definitely want the commute to work to be with as little traffic as possible and under a half hour. Thanks again.

[kristiv]

It will be hard to find a single family house for $300-400k in Ridgefield though you could find a 2 bedroom condo. Danbury or Bethel would be better bets in that price range if you want a house. If you can move into the $500s you can find a small house in Ridgefield.

[rscap]

I live in the next town over from Somers, Goldens Bridge. If schools are not an issue, you have two very convenient and inexpensive areas (comparatively speaking) - Ossining and Mt. Kisco. Both will offer you all the conveniences you would like, with a Main Street/Downtown.

Your price range for a house may have you a little disappointed in the offerings in both towns, but I guarantee you, those are the two affordable places without stretching your commuting limits (they are both within 10-15mins of Somers). If you are considering condo/co-op or renting as an option, they also both have plenty of those.

Ridgefield, as a previous poster suggested, is GORGEOUS, and a very all-inclusive town, but you will drive 20-25 minutes on one road back and forth to work every day. Also, it's Connecticut, so you will get double whammied on State Income Tax - not huge, but something to think about.

Putnam is where everybody who gets "priced out" of Westchester moves to. I agree with another previous poster, Mahopac is a good combination of convenience and affordability, and it has the nice lake. But your job is on the 684 corridor, not the Taconic Corridor, so you may also want to look at Brewster if you are looking at Putnam. Brewster and Mahopac will give you MUCH more for your $500k.

Good luck!

[brahmos]

Just FYI any town on 684 is good. In general unless there is a major accident on 684 there is NO traffic on that road. It is great. But I strongly suggest watching the speed limit between exits 4 and 5 as there is guarenteed a trooper on the road as well as anything north of that exit.

[MiasM]

Originally Posted by ec1957

Thanks. I will be right off the 684 and Woods Bridge Road. No need to be close to NY at all. I would be looking for homes in the 350 to 400 range but could go higher if need be. Definitely want the commute to work to be with as little traffic as possible and under a half hour. Thanks again.

For that price range, go upstate NY. You won't get much in Ridgefield. As you go north in NY, the prices will go down.
Also, I know you said schools don't matter, but bear in mind that schools = property values in this area. People will pay to get into a town with good schools, so your property value will hold better in one of those towns.
Good luck.

[alyssafaith]

heritage hills?

[brahmos]

Heritage Hills is an old person's area.