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this is my first time on the Westchester forum.
We are a British family, considering a move to Westchester County. We have been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past three years.
I have been reading through many of the threads trying to get a feel for the various cities, towns and villages, but I am confused as it sounds wonderful with so much choice that I don't know where to start.
We have three children aged 12, 10 and 8. While schools are important I don't necessarily want that to be the all encompassing factor in our choice of where to live. I am aware that Scarsdale schools are top notch but I hear there are many other great school districts too.
We will be looking to purchase rather than rent. We'd probably want to spend around 1.2m but could possibly go to 1.4 if pushed.
The job will be in Tarrytown but a commute of up to 45 mins would be fine, so we are basically happy to look anywhere in Westchester county.
I'd ideally love to have:
Good schools
Good walkable downtown (actually being able to walk to the downtown would be huge bonus)
Pretty views - (ideally waterfront views)
How can I narrow this down?
At some point in the near future we will come over as a family to get a feel for the area. It would be good to have a plan beforehand of which areas to visit.
My question therefore really is if you could live anywhere in Westchester County where would you live and why? Which towns have the best balance of everything?
There are tons of 'Best places to live in Westchester' lists on the internet but I'd like to hear from some people that actually live there.
From everything I have read so far I'm liking the sound of Irvington, Mamaroneck and Tarrytown itself.
Thanks in advance - (I know there must be a million similar threads.)
Keep it simple. I'd definitely look right in Tarrytown first. You'll work there. Why even consider Mamaroneck or anything on that side of the county if you don't have to? You'd be dealing with the dreaded east-west commute on 287 and the Hutch which is really a schlep unless you work off-hours... The river towns are a sensible choice for you as well but Tarrytown should be your jumping off point since you have a very good downtown and a Metro-North station for crying out loud. Best of luck
Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Briarcliff Manor, Pleasantville. Prior poster is right about Mamaroneck. That would be crazy.
Thanks. I guess travelling about always looks easier on paper.
Sounds like the best way to go go about it is to start at Tarrytown and work my way out from there.
Obviously the only real way to find out is to spend a few days touring the area and seeing for myself but if anyone has any nuggets of advice on what they like about particular towns, that might be helpful.
(It did seem to me that there was more going on in Mamaroneck and that it might be slightly more picturesque than the Hudson river towns?)
I notice that Irvington and Hastings both have very good school systems. Is there anything that distinguishes one town from the other or are they both very similar towns?
Also what does Scarsdale offer that is better than the other good school districts?
(Sorry about all the - what might seem like obvious - questions...)
Buy the most expensive house you can comfortable afford.
It's amazing how simple it really is. This forum doesn't even need to exist.
It's the same damn question every time. Where should I live should be banned here.
Buy the most expensive house you can comfortable afford.
It's amazing how simple it really is. This forum doesn't even need to exist.
It's the same damn question every time. Where should I live should be banned here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShouldHaveLeft914
If you can afford $1.2m, then Irvington is your choice.
5 mins commute, and one of the top shelf towns in the county.
You will have other high earners of your breeding and pedigree.
DO NOT live in Tarrytown or Mamaroneck if you can afford $1.2m.
Irvington. Case closed.
Well thanks for the advice
This is er...a relocation forum, for people to ask questions about.. er, relocating.
It's a huge deal for most people. We just want to get it right, especially when you are moving 2000+ miles.
Now if I hadn't asked and you hadn't told me, I might have gone for Tarrytown mightn't I?
Now I want to find out what's up with Tarrytown....and Mamaroneck. See, your post was useful to me!
Actually I don't think it's a case of just going for the most expensive house you can afford. There are other things that make a place a home.
I was brought up in two rooms above a grocers shop in a very working class town until I was 16 and went to a crappy school. I have just worked very hard in life. So I don't know what you'd call my breeding or pedigree.
Nevertheless I will take your advice and look seriously at Irvington. Thanks.
There are $5 million+ waterfront mansions in Mamaroneck. It's a great town. But geographically, it makes zero sense to move there if you are working in Tarrytown. If you already lived in Mamaroneck it would not be a problem. But since you are moving from elsewhere, why not be as close to work as possible?
Tarrytown is also a great town. Property values are lower because a large percentage of the kids in the school come from immigrant Hispanic households. I have never heard of any problems with the schools. There are well-off white families who deliberately choose Tarrytown because they like the diversity. That is a decision that only you can make.
I would agree that Irvington should be on the top of your list if you don't care about racial/ethnic diversity. Irvington does, however, have economic diversity. There are plenty of typical middle-class households.
I would also suggest looking at Pleasantville. Briarcliff Manor would be another consideration, but the village is not as walkable. Tarrytown and Irvington are good places to look, too, and I would also suggest the Philipse Manor area of Sleepy Hollow. You do not have to be very far from Tarrytown, itself, to find neighborhoods that meet your criteria, which is a bonus as that helps to eliminate traffic delays.
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~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
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Well thanks for the advice 
