Need help deciding between Ardsley & Pleasantville/Armonk!! (Yonkers, Ramapo: fit in, rental)

[Ekulu]

Originally Posted by jyyanks

One other thing - Ardsley on Hudson train station is actually only for Irvington residents (go figure). Your best bet for parking is Scarsdale, Dobbs and/or Hastings but I suggest you put your name on the list now so you won't get stuck in a bind.

That's because Ardsley on Hudson is actually Irvington and not Ardsley. Ardsley has no train station.

[Ekulu]

Originally Posted by jyyanks

Sorry if I am saying too much but thought of some other things. Living in Ardsley with Ardsley schools has advantages but living in Greenburgh with Ardsley schools has even more advantages. Greenburgh recreation is fantastic and you get access to the Greenburgh pool which is in Ardsley but not open to Ardsley residents (long story). There are also a lot of recreation programs worth exploring. Homes within Greenburgh that have Ardsley schools have higher taxes but its something to consider, esp if you want access to a pool in the summer. There is no overnight parking but I find that to be common in many towns/villages. Great soccer program (AYSO) open to kids in Dobbs, Hastings and Ardsley and an added advantage of having a pool in the middle school.
Honestly, the commute isn't bad if you can secure train station parking but traffic on Ashford from Ardsley to Dobbs where 9A crosses is quite nightmarish.

Just a minor point, I believe Greenburgh pool is open to Town of Greenburgh residents outside of the village i.e. the unincorporated portion of it. If the poster is interested in a home with an Ardsley PO but not in a village she should be able to use it. I believe most homes with Ardsley PO (postal address) are actually in Ardsley village.

[cali_to_nj]

Thanks to all for the input. After discussing the Armonk schools with other parents in that overlapping area, we are leaning towards Pleasantville. The house (larger house on larger lot than Ardsley) is close enough to the train station for drop offs until parking becomes available, so even with an extra 10-15 minutes on the train it would be roughly the same commuting time as having to drive from Ardsley to another station. I also happened to be up there yesterday for a great street fair they were having and it just felt like a warm and welcoming family community.

My husband will be visiting some Pleasantville preschools on Monday, if anyone has any experiences or info they could share on any preschools/daycare there or on the neighboring towns...

Thanks again.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by cali_to_nj

>>>snip<<<
I'm also concerned about the social aspects of living in one town w/kids in school in another.

Insights and info greatly appreciated!!

There's no question that Armonk has a higher McMansion index than its neighbors, much less Ardsley. I've heard that this was the result of vastly laxer zoning, lots of developable space and little community or municipal interest in managing growth. Whatever the cause, a drive around seems to confirm it.

As for the social aspects, The Urban Dictionary entry on Armonk should be considered: Urban Dictionary: armonk

Though obviously exaggerated (consider the source), it does capture a certain reality. If you profile the kids at nearby high schools (Horace Greeley, Fox Lane and John Jay for sure, I'm not sure about Pleasantville) they'll certainly agree with the UrbDic characterization. Ardsley is far more down to earth.

[cali_to_nj]

Oh wow - those Urban Dictionary entries are kind of terrifying. Although I have to say that the ones for Ardsley are not that much better. yikes.

[cali_to_nj]

This brings up another question for me re: religious diversity. There seems to be a prevailing view that Armonk is overwhelmingly Jewish, but the city-data stats for Armonk say it is 72% Catholic. Which is it?? I would prefer a mix and not a huge majority of one or the other, but I have to admit the "***"py reputation of Armonk moms is a bit of a concern and I did notice there are few/no Catholic schools in the area. Is Pleasantville the same?

[7 Wishes]

HMM, I was laughing at a poster in another thread who considered White Plains to be racist and anti-semitic, but after reading some of those urban dictionary posts, I wonder......

[havoc315]

There are areas of Westchester that have *relatively* substantial Jewish populations, and they then get a reputation of being predominantly Jewish. (when in actuality, they are simply 20-30% Jewish). Armonk does have a significant Jewish population, but probably even moreso Catholic.

If you are in the Armonk school district, then for practical purposes, that's really where you live, regardless of post office. I know many people in similar situations, and they all identify themselves by school district. (White Plains with Ardsley schools, Greenburg with Irvington schools, Pleasantville with Chappaqua or Armonk schools, Mt Kisco with Chappaqua schools, etc)

Pleasantville is slightly more working class than Armonk. It has a good amount of religious diversity, but it is probably a bit more Protestant than Armonk.

[havoc315]

Oh.... There are few Catholic schools in the area for the same reason there are no Jewish schools or very few private schools of any stripe--- Because of the high quality of the public schools.

You will find the private schools, of all types, generally in parts of the county with lesser schools, and sometimes more ethnic neighborhoods.

[cali_to_nj]

That makes complete sense Havoc, thanks.