Best town for young couple with no kids, within 50 min to NYC? (White Plains: apartments, condos)

[Tucker09]

My girlfriend and I live in the East Village in Manhattan. While we LOVE the city, we are both feeling squished and are considering a move out of the city.

We did a mini-"road trip" last weekend and checked out towns in Westchester (Croton, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ossning) but didn't fall in love with any of them - for some reason, they just didn't click for us.

I am in my late 30's, she is in her mid-20's. (No kids, not planning on any, so schools are not a priority.) We both work in Manhattan.

We are looking for:
- a walkable, energetic, VIBRANT town center
- other young people, who like being out & about in the town
- historic, interesting buildings... "up and coming" areas are OK!
- plenty of restaurants, bars, bookstores, shopping
- a good arts community -- music, museums, theater
- we LOVE being by the water, or within a 10-15 min. drive to it
- within 40-60 minute train ride to the city

Does this magical place exist? We would like to spend no more than $700k on a small home. Do you have any tips on where we should look?

Thanks!
Tucker

[bmwguydc]

That's a tall order in Westchester, since much of the county is suburban and very family-oriented. I would suggest perhaps White Plains as it has some semblance of what you want, and has an urban core. But, you can get a single family home in White Plains in your budget, so you do not have to look at apartments.

Perhaps Larchmont would fit the bill with a great downtown, proximity to the water, and a small house for $700k. Bronxville, similarly, has a great village center, but it doesn't have the vibrancy. Larchmont is anti-chain as is Katonah and Bronxville, so it's not suburban in the sense of an Olive Garden, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's on the corner. But, these communities are driven by families with children who flock to them for their excellent schools; hence, they carry price premiums and platinum-level taxes to support the village services.

Nyack and Piermont in Rockland might fit the description, but the commute is terrible to Manhattan from Rockland.

What came to mind when I read your description was a typical college town, but that is not easily found in the NYC region. You may have the downtown and water access in some communities, but peers are likely to be families with children or couples planning on children. And, in others, you may have some vibrancy (for Westchester), but are further from the water.

[Walter Greenspan]

Tucker09, in case you are unfamiliar with the local geography:

What people refer to colloquially as "towns" are actually villages and hamlets, which are within actual towns; and, because villages and hamlets are referred to as "towns", then, many times, the error is compounded when actual towns are referred to as "townships".

Also, many colloquially refer to a "downtown business district" in a hamlet as a "village".

http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-y...-glossary.html may be of some help to you in understanding the geography of Westchester County.

[dma1250]

I think you can find everything on your list, but not in one town. When I lived in the city I regularly went to a number of neighborhoods to get everything I needed. In much of Westchester, residents regularly go to a number of towns--one has the best coffee house, another has the best film center, etc.

I would suggest looking at Tarrytown and Peekskill. Neither are as developed as you want in terms of the wealth of amenities, but both have definite vibrancy and young people, many without kids. Both, especially, Peekskill, have large artist populations. Peekskill has a lot of galleries, the Paramount Center for the Arts, and the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art. (There's a big show going on now at the Hat Factory just outside of Peekskill, so you might want to check that out.) Both towns have a small but decent number of good restaurants, independent coffee houses, and many of the other things on your wish list. And if schools are not a concern, then that removes the major downside to Peekskill. And you can certainly get a great vintage house in Peekskill for your budget. It has wonderful historic areas and an amazing waterfront.

[havoc315]

As mentioned, Nyack would fit the description, except for the horrible commute.

Mamaroneck may fit the description. On the LI Sound, a good walkable downtown.

Also, check out Pleasantville. Lots of walkable shops, restaurants, bars, the Jacob Burns Art Center. Not tons of historic buildings, but there is a bit on vintage charm. But it is not on the water.

[BonoBD93]

You really have to weigh out what you want most. If kids aren't an issue it might be worth looking in White Plains where you will have less expensive taxes than the rest of Westchester. At first sight it can seem very Big Box retail if you just drive down Main street. However, there is an equal amount of smaller more manhattan/family owned restaraunts and bars. You may not find as much classy culture like coffee shops and specialty bookstores but the train is pretty easily accessible if you are looking at any of the high end luxury buildings in WP. You will notice a waive of bars on Mamaroneck Ave in WP where the younger crowds hang out but don't lose hope. There are a nice number of more chic lounge style bars where ambiance is as important as the drinks. Aside from 35min access to NYC. WP is pretty central to everything in Westchester.

I know you said westchester but Greenwhich and Stamford in CT may be worth taking a look at too.

[precisio]

Many of the suggestions on this list are great:

1. Larchmont is a great town, nice shops, walkable, great little downtown area with restaurants and bars. Metro North train close by. This is an established wealthy community so you won't get much diversity, but it is lovely and has its own beach!

2. Mamaroneck is also good. A little less 'upscale' than Larchmont in most places, but walkable, has the harbor and a big park, is awkwardly walkable in many places, but best is the downtown area. You can find reasonable housing in your range.

3. I personally love Hartsdale, because it borders Scarsdale, a beautiful neighborhood, and Central Avenue where all the shopping can be found. The downtown area is really on 2 blocks near the train station, but you can take the train a 2 minute ride to White Plains or 35 minutes to NYC. There is really no "true" neigborhood feel here but it is strategically located.

4. White Plains. Coming to be quite a little city in its own right thanks to Trump/Capelli. Very walkable, lots of shopping, several good restaurants, the Westchester Mall (think a scaled down Beverly Center in LA), safe, and a large variety of housing options and what BonoBD93 said above.

5. Bronxville/Tuckahoe -- up and coming trendy, shops, near the train. Not much culture in many places in Westchester and here it would be no different. A small art gallery here or there but not much else.

[newtoli]

Originally Posted by BonoBD93

You really have to weigh out what you want most. If kids aren't an issue it might be worth looking in White Plains where you will have less expensive taxes than the rest of Westchester. At first sight it can seem very Big Box retail if you just drive down Main street. However, there is an equal amount of smaller more manhattan/family owned restaraunts and bars. You may not find as much classy culture like coffee shops and specialty bookstores but the train is pretty easily accessible if you are looking at any of the high end luxury buildings in WP. You will notice a waive of bars on Mamaroneck Ave in WP where the younger crowds hang out but don't lose hope. There are a nice number of more chic lounge style bars where ambiance is as important as the drinks. Aside from 35min access to NYC. WP is pretty central to everything in Westchester.

I know you said westchester but Greenwhich and Stamford in CT may be worth taking a look at too.

Korova Milk Bar, which was originally located in Manhattan, relocated to White Plains!

[metsfan24]

irvington is suitable as well

[pianolady]

I recommend having a look in Hartsdale. It has a cute downtown area around the train station (35 minutes by express train to Grand Central) with coops and condos and a neighborhood with beautiful homes (Manor Woods) all in walking distance. As long as you don't have to worry about school districts yet, it's pretty affordable for Westchester and has fairly low taxes. Lived here for 4 years after being in the city for about 15, and love it.