Hastings on the Hudson versus Rye (Mamaroneck, Harrison: rentals, amusement park, houses)

[movingfromflorida]

How would you compare these two towns?

We are moving from Florida this summer and are narrowing down our choices in Westchester. We are looking for excellence in schools (high school level), decent commute (35 min train ride), walkability and interesting neighbors! We are an international family and will be house hunting for a 4 bedroom for rental - probably up to $6K.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[Viralmd]

I don't know about the availability of rentals in Rye, but these are very different communities. Hastings is probably more of a town where the neighbors will talk to you. Both are nice, but Hastings does sound more like what you're looking for (although it does have some daunting hills).

[jyyanks]

These communities are both very different but both nice places to live. Rye is on the east side of Westchester, closer to Connecticut and farther from the city than Hastings if you were to drive. It is a very upscale community with very expensive houses, nice cars all around. I don't want to stereotype and say that people there are snobby as I don't have first hand experience but I would imagine that a "keeping with the joneses" attitude is prevalent as there are a lot of wealthy people who live there. The town has a bunch of boutiques and restaurants and the school district is excellent.

Hastings is on the west side of Westchester. It has it's own train station as well and is about 15 miles from the NYC and a 30 min train ride. While Hastings has its share of wealthy people, it is predominantly more "upper middle class" than "wealthy". The town is small with mostly restaurants, and I think the library is there as well. Hastings schools are also excellent.

You can't go wrong with either town, it really depends on what you're looking for.

[manyroads]

I don't have much first-hand experience with Hastings, but if you are considering that area, you might want to see if you can find a rental in the St. Andrew's Golf Club community off Jackson Avenue. I've been in there and it's a nice development. Hastings is convenient to the Saw Mill and Sprain Brook Parkways. If anyone in your family likes to ride bikes or run, the Old Croton Aqueduct trail runs through Hastings, and provides some nice views of the Hudson River.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Coral Gables, FL an upscale area? If you're looking for something on a par with your hometown in FL, then you may want to look more closely at Rye. Rye has a nice, easily walkable village. It is also the home of the historic Playland amusement park, which was featured in the movie Big with Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins. Being an affluent area, it also has a few private clubs in the section known as Milton Point (Coveleigh Club, Shenorock Shore Club, American Yacht Club). Rye is also a short drive from the larger, even more affluent town of Greenwich, CT, which has plenty of shops and restaurants for you to explore. I attended church in Rye for several years, while living in the neighboring village of Rye Brook. While there are people in Rye who will look down at others not of the same socio-economic status as themselves, not everyone there is like that.

In general, most people who work in white-collar professions in Westchester, especially those who commute to and from NYC, work long hours and may not have the time for much socializing with their neighbors. No matter what community you choose, finding "interesting neighbors" is going to be hit and miss, in my opinion.

[ddarnell]

I agree that Rye sounds like your better bet. There are loads of rentals on the market at the moment, so finding something suitable shouldn't be a problem. Also, you mention you are an international family and you might be interested to know that Rye has a large Expat community. We have a social group of about 95 families, primarily from UK and the rest of Europe, but also some Aussies, Japanese etc. & we meet up regularly. Rye is also great for families with Playland & the beach close by.

[movingfromflorida]

Thank you all for your comments. We are leaning towards Rye but are having difficulty finding homes near train/middle school, since we hear there's a 4 year wait on the rye station parking permits--any ideas?

[manyroads]

I don't know anything about the parking permit situation at the railroad stations, as I'm not a regular Metro North commuter, but you could also try looking at the stations in the neighboring areas of Harrison and Mamaroneck. Larchmont is also on the same line, but that may be farther than you want to drive to get to the train.

[ponytrekker]

Originally Posted by manyroads

I don't know anything about the parking permit situation at the railroad stations, as I'm not a regular Metro North commuter, but you could also try looking at the stations in the neighboring areas of Harrison and Mamaroneck. Larchmont is also on the same line, but that may be farther than you want to drive to get to the train.

no problem parking at hastings. Plenty of nearby street parking too.

[ddarnell]

The parking situation at Rye is indeed dire. However, you say you are looking to rent a 4 bed house up to 6k and there are plenty on the market fairly close to the train. Harrison station is also within walking distance of those houses in Rye in the beach area and I think parking is easier there if you don't want to walk.

[nonny]

I've found the people from Rye diverse, interesting, and fun. The people I've met from Hastings have all moved there to be around 'like minded people'. I'm not sure that the people I've met are representative. But, they all are liberal democrats who only want to live around other liberal democrats... not a model of diversity.