Most Socially Liberal & Diverse Towns (New Rochelle, White Plains: homes, neighborhood, buyers)

[Conrad4402]

Mixed family with 3 teens planning to move and Westchester has tremendous appeal given its proximity to NYC, the coast and availability of larger properties. With an LGBTQIA+ son and mixed family it is important to seek out as diversity & socially progressive, which obviously can be challenging in higher budget suburbs. Just wondering what the most diverse & progressive of the Westchester towns that have large properties in the $2-4M range? We don’t expect NYC or SF levels but hoping to find a nice spot. Thank you

[ckhthankgod]

Probably the more affluent parts of White Plains and New Rochelle(i.e. Wykagyl).

[what_the_what]

Mamaroneck as well

[Dabaomb]

I commented this in your NYC thread, but I think Mamaroneck/Larchmont would be great for you. You likely won't get 2+ acres even though you have a great budget but you can get a place near the water with some of the diversity that you are looking for. It also has top notch schools.

If you are ok with the public schools not being ranked as highly, then Northern New Rochelle & White Plains as another member posted could be options as well.

Other members who actually live there could probably comment more.

[Conrad4402]

Definitely looking at all of the areas mentioned. On paper it seems New Rochelle May be the more diverse & progressive area with Westchester being a bit more secluded. Does that seem accurate?

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Conrad4402

Definitely looking at all of the areas mentioned. On paper it seems New Rochelle May be the more diverse & progressive area with Westchester being a bit more secluded. Does that seem accurate?

New Rochelle is in Westchester County. Here is where the neighborhood I mentioned is located in the city: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wy...!4d-73.7990218 (Wykagyl are, inc. Wykagyl Park)

A couple of other areas in the city's more affluent North Side, Bonnie Crest/Pinebrook: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bo...1!4d-73.785966

White Birches: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wh...!4d-73.7826347

Wilmot Woods: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wi...!4d-73.7804085

City's portion of Arthur Manor: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ar...4!4d-73.792913

City's portion of Scarsdale Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sc...!4d-73.7842548

[Conrad4402]

Sorry I meant White Plains not Westchester.

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

New Rochelle is in Westchester County. Here is where the neighborhood I mentioned is located in the city: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wy...!4d-73.7990218 (Wykagyl are, inc. Wykagyl Park)

A couple of other areas in the city's more affluent North Side, Bonnie Crest/Pinebrook: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bo...1!4d-73.785966

White Birches: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wh...!4d-73.7826347

Wilmot Woods: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wi...!4d-73.7804085

City's portion of Arthur Manor: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ar...4!4d-73.792913

City's portion of Scarsdale Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sc...!4d-73.7842548

[what_the_what]

I'm not an expert on White Plains. But from what I've observed it's exceptionally diverse. Not sure what you mean by secluded. One thing that White Plains does really well is that they have eliminated neighborhood elementary schools. All kids are assigned to elementaries somewhat randomly which creates a diverse student body at each school. In most Westchester towns, neighborhood schools are the prevailing norm. This results in self-segregation: Affluent home buyers buy homes assigned to the "best" school. Prices further increase there. Any middle class / working class are priced out and end up congregating in the lower rated schools. It's a pretty terrible system for creating a cohesive and integrated town.

FYI - The Mamaroneck school board has recently vowed to question whether their neighborhood assignments creates disparities among kids.

[987ABC]

Originally Posted by what_the_what

I'm not an expert on White Plains. But from what I've observed it's exceptionally diverse. Not sure what you mean by secluded. One thing that White Plains does really well is that they have eliminated neighborhood elementary schools. All kids are assigned to elementaries somewhat randomly which creates a diverse student body at each school. In most Westchester towns, neighborhood schools are the prevailing norm. This results in self-segregation: Affluent home buyers buy homes assigned to the "best" school. Prices further increase there. Any middle class / working class are priced out and end up congregating in the lower rated schools. It's a pretty terrible system for creating a cohesive and integrated town.

FYI - The Mamaroneck school board has recently vowed to question whether their neighborhood assignments creates disparities among kids.

One way to handle this dynamic is to have the entire district always be in the same building. So in Mamaroneck's case, convert one ES to k-1, another to 2-3, another to 4-5. I think this is called the Princeton model. It is done in South Orangetown, for instance.