Harrison in Westchester County (White Plains, Rye: low crime, houses, neighborhood)

[prc2007]

What is Harrison like? How does it compare to Rye, Scarsdale, Bronxville in terms of schools, housing costs, taxes, crime? Is it a good option for a middle class family to live? We are relocating from NYC.

[PresidentJoeMorgan]

Harrison is a huge place, and it's hard to summarize succinctly. Basically, it has three parts:
West Harrison, which is a middle class area near White Plains. Very hilly, advantageously located near all White Plains has, but also set off so that it's quiet and it feels like you're farther away. Too far from the train really, but convenient to the 287.
Purchase, extremely wealthy and spread out, runs from the area just north of 287 down to the Hutch. Sprawling mansions.
Downtown Harrison, by the train station...more blue collar, lots of stores; has some of the feel of Mamaroneck and Rye, inexpensive houses and very low taxes.

So, three areas, each with a different feel. Harrison has significant corporate investment and a large wealthy population, so the taxes are much lower than many other places in Westchester (although not Connecticut). Low crime everywhere.

[jjinla]

Like Joe said, there are 3 distinct areas of Harrison. None but DT have great train access, and the area near the station is not pretty at all. In fact, they have one of the worst downtowns in lower Westchester. The schools are OK (I know several opt for private instead), but not in the same league as Scarsdale, Bronxville and Rye. The taxes are generally lower than other areas, but I heard that Pepsi and many other companies had pending tax grievances that number in the millions. If they get off the hook the residents are going to make up the difference.

FWIW, there is less to do there than neighboring towns. Westchester Magazine ranked it bottom in their Best Place to Live issue, which was flawed in many ways, but Harrison is not without it's share of problems. Crime isn't a big issue there, though. You go there to get land, IMO. If my budget were under $700K, I would personally choose Rye Neck or Eastchester over there, from what I've seen.

[Gordon Pritchard]

Moving into Westchester from Manhattan and trying to decide between 2 homes - one in Purchase (which I believe has Harrison Schools?) and one in Rye Neck. Both homes are valued at around the same - mid $700s but the Purchase home does have a nice looking neighborhood - more suburban than Rye Neck which seems older and rundown. My question though is there is a compelling difference in the school districts enough to favor the Rye Neck home even with an area that appears seedier?

Thanks,
Gordon [LEFT]
[/LEFT]