living in Mount Vernon (New York, New Rochelle: apartments, rental, low crime)

[Emily Wang]

Hi, I am starting a new job at Mount Vernon hospital; since the hours are long, I would like to live somewhere close. We also have two kids, ages 3 and 1. Where is a nice place to live? We are from Texas, so we are really not familiar w/ the area. It seems like most places do not have air conditioning, and some that describe themselves as "2 bedroom" are really one bedroom and the living room converted to a bedroom, so there is not a central family area. Is this standard for New York apartments? I would really appreciate any information. Thanks in advance!

[havoc315]

Not sure where you are looking for apartments, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding true 2 bedroom apartments, with air conditioning. Of course, budget is an issue.

Mount Vernon is not a particularly nice area. But within a short drive, you should be able to find nice apartments in New Rochelle (which has some nice new high rises), White Plains (which has recently been over developed with luxury high rises, leaving a bit of a rental glut), Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Eastchester/Scarsdale (Garth Road).

With the young children, the last three areas I named, might be your best bets.

For a nice 2 br apartment in a nice area, you are probably looking at $1500-$2200 per month.

[bmwguydc]

If you're looking for central air conditioning, that is going to be a newer building as most of the older buildings have window and/or through the wall room units. That could be the problem that you're encountering with the air conditioning criterion in your search. Unfortunately, for many buildings, you have to supply your own window air conditioners. Through the wall units are generally included in a rental, from what I have seen as they are built into the structure of the house and if removed would leave a hole in the wall. Window units are generally the responsibility of the tenant, and you need to check with the landlord as to whether or not they can be installed all year long, since many do not want them in during the winter months.

As for the converted room, that's still technically a one bedroom apartment if the conversion was not performed legally, since the unit must comply with its certificate of occupancy that sets the maximum number of people per apartment and per building. A conversion like that can easily be performed on a dining rooom or larger dining alcove, in the case of a taking a Junior4 apartment (1BR with dining room) and making that a two bedroom unit without too much fuss.

[Fords05]

Definitely check out Fleetwood which is a part of Mt.Vernon and very close to the hospital.

[rubygreta]

Anything near or north of the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon is fine. And because Mount Vernon is cheaper than most neighboring communities, it is your best bet.

[Emily Wang]

Wow, thanks, everyone! Definitely NY is very different from Texas, and there is so much to think about. I will probably look for a newer building in Fleetwood w/ AC, since I don't have a car.

[quelinda]

Funny, your priorities really reflect where you're coming from (the never ending heat of TX) and not where you're going (which is to be expected). Here we only worry about air conditioning for around 3 to 4 months out of the year. It is generally only blazing hot during July and August, though we can get heat waves in June, Sept and Oct where you get a few days or weeks with very hot summer weather. Its considered unusual though. So you get a window unit (make sure it runs quietly) for your LR and BR and throw them in for a few months. Good luck on your relocation!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Fords05

Definitely check out Fleetwood which is a part of Mt.Vernon and very close to the hospital.

Here's an article about that section from 8 years ago. Has it changed since this article? Fleetwood, Mount Vernon: Diverse, Convenient, Leafy and Friendly

Actually, I found a more recent article:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/re...rssnyt&emc=rss

and one more site:http://www.fleetwoodneighbors.org/

[7 Wishes]

As someone VERY familiar with this city (in fact, I was born in Mt. Vernon Hospital a long long time ago Mod cut: no soliciting) I can tell you the following:

1) Fleetwood is actually a very nice area, low crime, great diversity, good access to shopping, easy access to Metro North trains to Manhattan. There is no reason not to live there. And while almost all housing in this area is ridiculously expensive, it is a bargain compared to nice neighboring areas. There are LOTS of families with young children in this area.

2) The area north of the Cross County Parkway is a "poor man's Bronxville". Actually that is just comparatively, it is mostly very very nice houses with an "upper suburban" look and feel and is almost indistinguishible from the neighboring village of Bronxville (except that the prices are a lot less). But if you are looking for a rental or for an apartment, you are not likely to get much here (except for the part of Gramatan Ave just north of the parkway, which is adjacent to Fleetwood).

3) Even most areas just south of the Cross County Parkway are decent and have more affordable housing options.

The real "bad part" that gives Mt. Vernon the reputation that locals talk about is the "South Side", the area south of the Metro North line to Connecticut the bisects the city. Making up over half the city, it is very poor, crowded, and heavily industrial and basically looks like an extension of the north Bronx areas that border it.

Now regarding your kids, when they become school age, despite what you will hear from others, they will be fine regarding the elementary schools if you live in areas 1 and 2 above (and even #3 above to some extent), but the problem that gives Mt. Vernon schools it's bad reputation is 7th grade and beyond. Because of the city's small physical size (4 sq miles), there is 1 middle and high school for almost the entire city and many of the problems of elementary schools in the not-so-nice parts of town bubble up into these schools. Many residents when their kids get to this point either move or consider private school.

Good luck and welcome to our area!

[nnnner]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

As someone VERY familiar with this city (in fact, I was born in Mt. Vernon Hospital a long long time ago Mod cut: no soliciting) I can tell you the following:

1) Fleetwood is actually a very nice area, low crime, great diversity, good access to shopping, easy access to Metro North trains to Manhattan. There is no reason not to live there. And while almost all housing in this area is ridiculously expensive, it is a bargain compared to nice neighboring areas. There are LOTS of families with young children in this area.

2) The area north of the Cross County Parkway is a "poor man's Bronxville". Actually that is just comparatively, it is mostly very very nice houses with an "upper suburban" look and feel and is almost indistinguishible from the neighboring village of Bronxville (except that the prices are a lot less). But if you are looking for a rental or for an apartment, you are not likely to get much here (except for the part of Gramatan Ave just north of the parkway, which is adjacent to Fleetwood).

3) Even most areas just south of the Cross County Parkway are decent and have more affordable housing options.

The real "bad part" that gives Mt. Vernon the reputation that locals talk about is the "South Side", the area south of the Metro North line to Connecticut the bisects the city. Making up over half the city, it is very poor, crowded, and heavily industrial and basically looks like an extension of the north Bronx areas that border it.

Now regarding your kids, when they become school age, despite what you will hear from others, they will be fine regarding the elementary schools if you live in areas 1 and 2 above (and even #3 above to some extent), but the problem that gives Mt. Vernon schools it's bad reputation is 7th grade and beyond. Because of the city's small physical size (4 sq miles), there is 1 middle and high school for almost the entire city and many of the problems of elementary schools in the not-so-nice parts of town bubble up into these schools. Many residents when their kids get to this point either move or consider private school.

Good luck and welcome to our area!

Lots of good info here, thanks! What can you tell me about the area near Wilson Woods Park. I believe some of the streets are Beachwood and Brookside ... that area. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!