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I live on the edge of Larchmont village (just over the line, so technically I'm in the town of Mamaroneck, but Larchmont zip code...). And I see kids walking to the schools every day - it's great, in my opinion. There are crossing guards up and down the Boston Post Road for kids going to the middle and high school. BTW, don't even try to go to the Starbucks close to the high school when school is about to open - it's packed with kids. They also have crossing guards on Palmer. For the elementary schools, there's always a ton of parents walking their kids to the two I'm closest to, Chatsworth and Central.
Honestly, the walkability of the area is what sold me - and I'm one of those people who don't have to commute to the city, so I'm paying the housing premium for that reason alone. Of course it means I had to settle for a smaller place than I originally envisioned (and could have afforded if I had gone to other towns in westchester) but it was worth it.
It is in NR, but close to Larchmont. It's probably at least 3/4 a mile or more so not highly walkable But doable. It's a pretty neighborhood, but at the middle and HS level, some do have issues with it. You'll have to research and decide that for yourself.
I'm south of Chatsworth, so I think for my area and further into the Manor walking is more of an issue than of you are closer to town.
Edgemont's walkability is zero. The location in general is very convenient, but there is no town center, it's very hilly, and you can walk to nothing except school, maybe. Based on your criteria I'm not sure I would bother. However, you should definitely look at a TON of houses in the area and get a feel for how much house your budget will get you.
BTW, Davis and Ward are the 2 NR elementary schools that are fine. A lot of families in that area use the public schools through elementary and then do Catholic/private.
Here's your problem though - I'm sensing a little school elitism and that you only want to be in the "best" districts. However, your budget won't allow you to buy a nice-enough house in those districts. So, the answer that you don't seem to want to accept is to stay in Fairfield.
Here's your problem though - I'm sensing a little school elitism and that you only want to be in the "best" districts. However, your budget won't allow you to buy a nice-enough house in those districts. So, the answer that you don't seem to want to accept is to stay in Fairfield.
It's not about elitism at all to me. It's just that because there are so many (confusing) options in Westchester and I'm not too familiar with the area, I naturally rely on perceptions about schools/communities. They might be misguided, which is why I've turned to this forum to clarify some of my questions.
I based my opinion on the fact that you said you are looking for "high-performing schools" and on the towns you said you are looking in. On some level everyone in Westchester is a school snob - I know I am. It's Harvard or bust for my kids! I'm only half kidding...
Okay, so in lower/eastern Westchester here are the districts in which you can't really go wrong:
Mt Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Port Chester would be considered less desirable, although individual elementary schools could be fine. On certain RE websites you can search by school-district, because an address/zip code does not indicate a certain school district (e.g. Scarsdale 10583 could be Scarsdale, Edgemont, or Eastchester schools, etc...)
THANK YOU! A specific list like that is exactly what I was looking for! So with New Rochelle and the specific elementary schools there, any thoughts on Davis?
Here's your problem though - I'm sensing a little school elitism and that you only want to be in the "best" districts. However, your budget won't allow you to buy a nice-enough house in those districts. So, the answer that you don't seem to want to accept is to stay in Fairfield.
I find that us Westchesterites are the most "elitist" about school districts of anyone in the US. You noted "some might argue" about places like Eastchester and Tuckahoe and Dobbs Ferry (I put that one in) and you're right they will....but place those three in almost any other part of the US and they would probably be at or near the "top" district of that area.
But in adjacent Fairfield County they are almost as bad about it too......lots of arguments about say Darien vs. Greenwich vs. Ridgefield vs. New Canaan, etc.
But in adjacent Fairfield County they are almost as bad about it too......lots of arguments about say Darien vs. Greenwich vs. Ridgefield vs. New Canaan, etc.
Good point But in my case, the school systems we are looking at are more on the Fairfield/Trumbull level than they are Darien/New Canaan.
elinyc - any update? Have you had a chance to look at any of the towns? Just curious ;-)
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I'm only half kidding...
But in my case, the school systems we are looking at are more on the Fairfield/Trumbull level than they are Darien/New Canaan.
