New Rochelle vs. Larchmont vs. Bronxville (White Plains, Eastchester: 2010, rental market, house)

[acanada]

My wife and I are moving from Menlo Park, CA to Westerchester county earlier spring 2010. We both will be commuting to mid town for work. We want the shortest commute possible, but suburban amenities like a house and yard. We have a three year old and a three month old. We plan to rent, but might sell our house in Cali and buy, since we'll be in the area for at least five years. How's the 3 - 4 bedroom rental market? Montessori schools? Organic, Whole Food markets? Community make up and general differences between New Rochelle, Larchmont and Bronxville, if any?

[mainelander]

well larchmont is close to a trader joes and is probably the nicest neighborhoods of the three

[bmwguydc]

Bronxville is a very nice community and has good schools. It's a village in the Town of Eastchester, and the town (Scarsdale zip code area), has Trader Joe's and Mrs. Green's (local natural food market) on White Plains Road that are close to one another. There's an organic market called Food for Thought in Hastings, and a Whole Foods Market in White Plains, both of which are about 15 minutes away.

New Rochelle is a city, and it really depends upon the neighborhood. Closer to Scarsdale, the area is fine, though the public schools do not have the same reputation as schools in Bronxville or Larchmont. The downtown areas of New Rochelle have a mixture of decent and bad areas, making for an area that's in transition in many places.

Bronxville and Larchmont are more walkable than New Rochelle, with Larchmont having a more comprehensive downtown area than Bronxville. New Rochelle is not as walkable, since the areas in the downtown, nearer the train station, are not similar neighborhoods to Bronxville and Larchmont.

You might also consider Pelham, since the commute time is quick and the town has much to like. Shopping areas are a little more spread out, and you would have to drive a few minutes to get to organic markets, but the area has some very nice homes. Pelham is on par with Bronxville and Larchmont, and you might even get a better deal on a rental as some parts of Pelham are not as expensive as Larchmont and Bronxville that do tend to have heftier price premiums.

[nonny]

Pelham is going to get Fairway, too, which is an awesome supermarket.

[tammy42]

acanada-
my family is just getting ready for a move to eastchester (bronxville po, tuckahoe schools...so complicated!). We have a 3-year old also - I'm checking out Bronxville Montessori in a few weeks...we have friends in the area and hear good things about. If you'd like I can tell you my impressions, as we're big fans of Montessori - both our sons attended/are attending Montessori preschool. Anyway, reply directly to me if you want me to keep in touch.
I highly recommend that you take a trip out and spend some good, quality time in all of the neighborhoods you are looking at and see what feels right to you.