Living in NYC with kids? (New York, Inwood: loans, neighborhoods, private schools)

[Sylviaoh]

After 10 years of living in Westchester, my husband is pushing for us to move to Manhattan. He grew up in the city and has grown to hate the burbs / his commute.

Kids are boys - 8 and 11... any thoughts on best places to live in the city... how would it be to live there with kids?

Anyone else has done this sort of reverse thing - move into the city with kids?

Thanks for any input.

Syl

[brahmos]

Does he neccessarily have to live in Manhattan?

If so...I think I would recommend somewhere near the river. Possibly the West Side. Either which way your kids will be sent to private school...so location does not matter. I know there is a lot of parks in that area...and the West Side Highway provides convenient access to Westchester (should you still be working there).

Take a look into outer boros if you are looking for something more family oriented.

[yodel]

I would choose to live somewhere with good open space close by. My first pick of neighborhoods would be the Upper West Side because you have Central Park, Riverside Park, the Natural History Museum. Inwood at the upper tip of Manhattan is also a great place to live, but much more affordable. Both neighborhoods are full of parents and kids. My kids are younger-3 and 6-but we find there is so much to do in the city. Its also nice that you don't have to get in your car to go to the grocery store. I find having kids in the city is more intense than how I grew up in the suburbs-I'm with them pretty much all the time when not at work. I don't know at what age I would let my kids go out without me, but I was allowed go around with my friends from the age of 4 in the suburbs (although I don't think people do that anymore for fear of abduction.) Anyway I love having a family in the city and I think kids who grow up here have an advantage in the diversity of people and experiences that the city has to offer.

[Viralmd]

I grew up in the city. And, yes, it's certainly possible. But the school issue is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. You either have to move to a neighborhood with good schools (you can research this) OR you can get your kids tested and interviewed and take out some loans for private schools. And apply to a LOT of schools - my manager and his wife only applied to three schools for their son (who's bilingual) and had to leave NYC because he didn't get in to any of them. And legacies/connections don't help any more.

HOWEVER, I went to private school (albeit MANY, many years ago) and got a GREAT education, went to an Seven Sister college and an Ivy medical school. They do teach you how to learn.

It's immaterial where you live in Manhattan - it's all accessible so easily. But the schools are critical.

[carolinajack]

East 81st between 1st and 2nd, good neigbhorhood, loved it there

[Viralmd]

East 81 is nice, but it's the SCHOOLS when you've got kids...unless you have tons of money. Private school is almost as costly as college now.

[jackb]

I agree with carolinajack. The upper east side (east 80's is great). central park nearby, carl schurz park the other direction, excellent private schools (worth the $$), stores, restaurants, everything. we love it.

[briarwood]

Don't forget the outer boroughs:

Brooklyn:

Bensonhurst
Bayridge
Sheepshead Bay
Midwood
Borough Park
Park slope
Willamsburg/Greenpoint

Queens:

Everything except SE Queens, Rockaways and Corona

[Vagus]

You may have seen this article in the Times. I thought it was very interesting.

In Surge in Manhattan Toddlers, Rich White Families Lead Way - New York Times

Bottom line seems to be: if you got the $$$ and no more than 2 kids, it can maybe work out . . . .

[PeterWhimsy]

NYC has some of the best public schools in the country - Bronx School of Science, Stuyvesant. But the admissions process is grueling. The private schools are gossip girl garbage.