I want to move to either Westchester, putnam or dutchess county w/baby (Fishkill: homes)

[Moving for Baby]

Hello

I am looking to move upstate new york. I am looking to move between westchester, putnam or dutchess county. I recently had a baby girl and I would like to make sure she has access to good schools.

If anyone can share any insight on good neighborhoods. Not too expensive homes (less than 400k). Close to public transportation. I will be commuting to the city for work. I would like to live in a diverse community.

Again, any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[piperspal]

I am guessing from your post that you are coming from NYC? I lived in Dutchess for four years and worked in all three counties you list. If you wind up in Dutchess, the Arlington School District would be your best bet. I have heard mixed reviews about both Wappingers & Fishkill schools; and yet I knew many families from both that loved them.

There is a regional magazine that I have recommended before and will do again here: Hudson Valley Magazine. They do very in-depth articles on the area including top 100 doctors, best hospitals, top schools, etc. The mag is also very good for new-comers to find services & things to do. I don't technically live in the Valley anymore, (which is odd as I would consider my area to be the center of the Hudson River...), but I still subscribe to the magazine because of the info it provides.

Putnam would be my personal first choice of the three, but I don't have the schools to consider. Best of luck to you!

[ckhthankgod]

Here's a good place to check out school districts in NY State: https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Home.do?year=2008 (broken link)

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2008&county=Dutchess (broken link)

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2008&county=Westchester (broken link)

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2008&county=Putnam (broken link)

and maybe another county to consider: https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/County.do?year=2008&county=Rockland (broken link)

Here's another site to check out too: http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...ounty=Dutchess

http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...&county=Putnam

http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...ty=Westchester

http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...ounty=Rockland

I hope this helps....

[mom2gurls]

Arlington schools..HANDS down in dutchess, as a mother, my oldest is is in the arlingston school district, my dh went private schools and he constantly says, that the quality of arlington schools is like getting a private school education for free. There are alot of stay at home moms and working moms, we are 12 minutes to the pawling train, 15 minutes to the poughkeepsie line. And everything that I need is within a 5 minute radius from my home. Grocery, drugstore, tons of restaurants, 3 parks, 3 pools, brand new elementry, middle school and arlington high schools principal wond principal of the year in 2008 (I think)and new library, post office, dance studio, music studio..even dunkin donuts is a mere 2 minute drive!. I hate that we have to sell but my dh's job is relocating.

Dutchess county is a wonderful place to raise a family and if we were to stay, I wouldnt move out of this district..

[Viralmd]

The commute from Dutchess County to NYC is a killer, however.

[Moving for Baby]

Thank you for the info. I will do some more information on dutchess county.

I am all over the place. I'm not sure where we are going to end up. But we will be out of NYC!!!! I am determined.

[mom2gurls]

Perhaps see if there is a job in your field in the major cities around the counties (poughkeepsie, danbury(ct), white plains and newburgh)--that may help. You may find that taking a paycut is worth it when you factor in time, commuting costs and quality of life. I would NOT reccomend going any farther than the pawling line off metro north or poughkeepsie in your search. Just my opinion.