Where to live IN NYC (New York, York: apartments, rentals, middle school)

[newtoUSA]

Hi there, my family and I currently live in South Africa and we are wanting to relocate to the USA. My husband and I love New York so much, but we are not sure which area is best for small children? we are probably going to have to move to San francisco in the beginning of our move but we would love to move to New York later on... We would love an area that is very safe and within walking distant to stores and a park. We are looking at no more than $5 000 a month. I have looked at places in Upper West side - there seems to be beautiful places there (brownstones?) is this a great place to live with kids?
Thanks

[Viralmd]

You're going to need the proper visa to work here. Apartments in brownstones are nice, and many are cooperative apartments and not rentals. But generally you need to be careful about schools. The primary grades are OK (not usually GREAT) but for middle school many parents opt for private school, which starts at around $20,000/year and goes up with the grade. Given that you have children, the schools should dictate where you live.