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Yes, I think you're dreaming. That is NOT Westchester.
I have to disagree with that one. I live in a 'rural' part of Yorktown Heights in northern Westchester and while we don't have blocks, per se, we do have regular community pot-lucks and get-togethers. Many are organized by the community association (Huntersville Association), which also has bi-annual street clean-ups and bi-annual concerts (to raise money). But many get-togethers are just neighbors getting together for dinner and hanging out. We also have regular play groups for the kids. In my experience the fact that houses are more private and separated makes people work harder to get together and have a sense of community. And I don't think we're unique. I know people who live in other areas nearby and they all have neighborhood associations, play groups, and a good sense of community. Not to be snotty or make generalizations, but I think that that is less common in southern Westchester (but I could be wrong!).
I forgot to mention bus parties, for all the kids on the bus route. That's one of my favorites. One of the things I love about it here is that I have tremendous privacy--four acres of very private land--but there is also a great sense of community and neighborliness.
And Yorktown has excellent elementary schools. We're one of the only districts with separate K-2 primary schools and 3-5 elementary schools, which makes each school very small and really focussed on the specific needs of the age group. My kid loves the school and we have been thrilled with it.
In our area you can get a nice 4 bedroom with some land for 900K to about 2M. There's a nice house for sale now for 925K.
My kids started in Manhattan and when private school was too much we went to Scarsdale. No block parties there, but there's a "municipal pool" that's better than most country clubs, nice tennis courts, walking trails, etc.
My kids started in Manhattan and when private school was too much we went to Scarsdale. No block parties there, but there's a "municipal pool" that's better than most country clubs, nice tennis courts, walking trails, etc.
That is a great benefit of Westchester. Almost every town has a great pool, tennis courts, running track, trails, and other amenities. A lot of socializing goes on at the pools and it is a great way for kids to meet friends. People complain about the taxes (I certainly do) but we actually get a big bang for our buck, even beyond good schools.
I recently moved from Scarsdale to Rochester (to be nearer to my husband's family)--and I grew up in Scarsdale, too. There are definitely neighborhoods in Scarsdale with young families and active neighborhood associations. I'd suggest looking in the Arthur Manor neighborhood, which is part of the Edgewood elementary school district. The neighborhood association is quite active; there's a nice little park right in the middle of the neighborhood (Davis Park), where there's an annual July 4th celebration which is great--lots of old-fashioned races and games, hot dogs, lemonade, a parade for the kids, etc. There have also been square dances, block parties, etc. The Greenacres neighborhood, which is on the other side of the Post Road, nearer to White Plains (Arthur Manor is nearer to Eastchester) is another area with a very active association and lots of young families.
I would not say that people in Scarsdale are generally "snobby," at least not the ones I encountered (maybe I just didn't move in the upper circles) :-) Yes, there are people there with lots of money, but in general I'd say any perceived unfriendliness is more because this is a community of high-achieving, very hard-working people who are just extremely busy.
The best way to meet people and feel a part of the community in Scarsdale is to get involved with the schools, if your kids are school-aged, and also to get involved with any of the many community organizations. They are always looking for volunteers.
So in summation the moms in Scarsdale are pretty much the same as the Park Slope stroller-nazis except they drive expensive SUVs around town instead of pushing strollers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by karen824
I recently moved from Scarsdale to Rochester (to be nearer to my husband's family)--and I grew up in Scarsdale, too. There are definitely neighborhoods in Scarsdale with young families and active neighborhood associations. I'd suggest looking in the Arthur Manor neighborhood, which is part of the Edgewood elementary school district. The neighborhood association is quite active; there's a nice little park right in the middle of the neighborhood (Davis Park), where there's an annual July 4th celebration which is great--lots of old-fashioned races and games, hot dogs, lemonade, a parade for the kids, etc. There have also been square dances, block parties, etc. The Greenacres neighborhood, which is on the other side of the Post Road, nearer to White Plains (Arthur Manor is nearer to Eastchester) is another area with a very active association and lots of young families.
I would not say that people in Scarsdale are generally "snobby," at least not the ones I encountered (maybe I just didn't move in the upper circles) :-) Yes, there are people there with lots of money, but in general I'd say any perceived unfriendliness is more because this is a community of high-achieving, very hard-working people who are just extremely busy.
The best way to meet people and feel a part of the community in Scarsdale is to get involved with the schools, if your kids are school-aged, and also to get involved with any of the many community organizations. They are always looking for volunteers.
Lots of areas in Westchester have nice neighborhoods with young families, block parties etc. How long of a commute your husband is willing to endure? Is his office in Midtown or Downtown? You can get a great 4 BR/2+ BTH house 3200-3500 sq ft in Somers for about $1M. But commute will definitely be much longer than from Scarsdale. Yorktown, Katonah, North Salem and South Salem are all very friendly places. All of these towns are on Metro North Harlem line.
does anyone know how early the buses run in Scarsdale to the train station? My husband has to be at work in NYC by 7am so he needs to have access to a bus that takes him to the train station early.
thanks!
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block parties
