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Hello! I currently live in Australia, and my family are looking to relocate. We are strongly looking at different towns in Westchester County. I lived in NYC for 15 years and I would like to return to work there. However, it's really hard to house hunt when you are living on the other side of the world!
We are looking for the perfect town for our family which currently has a 4 and a 2 year old. Any advice? Here's our criteria:
1) A commute that isn't too hard to the city- particularly Harlem. We would prefer to have 45 minutes or less commute. Less is better!
2) We want our children in excellent schools. However, we don't want our children in competitive schools. What I'm looking for are schools that value kindness, curiosity, love of learning, etc. We aren't interested in schools that feed into Harvard-type places. It's also really important to me that my kids are with other kind kids and not surrounded by the uber-rich.
3) I live in a cafe culture now, and would love a cute village with cute restaurants/cafes.
4) We would love to be in an area with folks who are bit more artsy.
5) I would love a house with a nice sized backyard that is near to lots of fun things to do with the kids. We always love going on adventures. Farmers markets, hikes, fairs, etc.
6) I would love a walkable place. I don't drive at the moment and I know I will have to in Westchester, but I would love a place that has lots of nice walks so I can drive as little as possible when I'm with the kids.
What town would you recommend? Is there a particular part of the town that you like for houses? I have been looking (from afar) at
To get everything you want, including your commute, you will need to spend a lot of $$$$$. But given a huge budget, you can pull it off.
Your paragraph 2) confuses me. What makes you think that uber-rich kids aren't kind? The experiences that I have had with my kids tell me that financially comfortable kids are, on the average, kinder than those who aren't. As for schools that routinely place kids at Ivy league colleges - all excellent suburban NY schools do this. I don't see how you get an excellent school without Ivy league placement and aspiration. As for aversion to competitive schools, are you looking for schools where the kids don't try to do well? Schools where the kids don't do their school work, study for tests, and try their best?
In regards to schools, we definitely want schools where kids try to do well and work hard, but not at the expense of being too competitive. It's hard to convey in a quick reply, but for us, a school community that values inclusion, has a diversity of economic backgrounds, and celebrates kindness, curiosity, etc would be ideal. Any recommendations?
In regards to schools, we definitely want schools where kids try to do well and work hard, but not at the expense of being too competitive. It's hard to convey in a quick reply, but for us, a school community that values inclusion, has a diversity of economic backgrounds, and celebrates kindness, curiosity, etc would be ideal. Any recommendations?
You may want to connect with some parents from Chappaqua, as it has a reputation for being extremely competitive. Diversity of economic backgrounds is likely something you would find in Tarrytown, Dobbs Ferry, etc and not the so-called 'elite' communities like Scarsdale, Bronxville, etc.
For walkability, it's probably hard to tell from photos/Google maps, but the Rivertowns have a bit of an awkward layout due to the topography near the river. This means that the houses tend to be more 'uphill', the "main street" close to the river" and then another dropoff to get to the train at the bottom of the hill. You'll probably find more traditional 'Main Street' type towns towards the middle of the county, or even the Eastern side, which tends to be flatter. If this is an important consideration, you may want to check out some towns like Pleasantville/Katonah/Mt.Kisco and Chappaqua all have very walkable 'downtown' areas.
Whatever town you choose, driving will become somewhat of an inevitability unless you are content to shop just within your town's boundaries. The way Westchester is laid out means that each village is sort of a small island unto itself with various connecting roads (very few walkable paths on those). If you're looking to shop at a larger store or Mall, your options will be driving to a larger city like White Plains or Yonkers or Manhattan. Mount Kisco (near Chappaqua) has some larger stores, but it more the exception than the rule.
If you are willing to push north a little bit, then Put Katonah on your list -its about 50 minutes to Harlem via metro north. It has a quaint walk-able downtown, and is close to nature and hiking. Schools are good and not pressure cookers. Diversity may be lacking a bit.
If walk-ability isnt as much of a factor, Bedford is also a great choice. There are some communities within Bedford (The Farms in particular) that are great for kids and have walking access to a town park. The schools are excellent, but offer more diversity than some of the other districts. Some (including myself) see diversity as a positive for schools.
Hastings, Dobbs, Irvington, Larchmont are walkable.
Irvington and Larchmont have the best schools in the area of your list that meets your category. Commute is very reasonable. I have lived in Hastings and you really can manage without a car if you like walking up hills.
Chappaqua is nice town, a bit competitive but likely farther than you are looking for.
I chose not to fight your hypo by throwing in towns you didn't mention.
Not sure where you are in Australia but when I was there last month found the weather and people incredible. Everyone was nice from the cab drivers to the family that bought our ferry tickets instead of showing us how to refill our cards.
Would target Larchmont, Katonah, Pleasantville and Irvington based on your criteria. Armonk/Scarsdale/Chappaqua will be more of the pressure-cooker you're trying to avoid. There seem to be quite a few Australian/NZ families in both Rye and Greenwich CT (Riverside & Old Greenwich specifically) as well, but then you're starting to get farther from the city.
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