Questions on Purchase (White Plains, Rye, Port Chester: houses, school districts, living in)

[Slapshot02]

Looking to move up to Westchester and saw a house in Purchase recently but had a few concerns on the area:

1) Not a lot of shops around so how hard to get milk, pizza, etc. - Will it take us 5 minutes to run out or 20?
2) How are the Harrison schools as we would have to go to Harrison middle and high school?
3) Is there a decent Jewish population there?
4) Is plane noise an issue flying into Westchester airport?

Any other areas we should focus on - we like purchase because we can get a decent property and still be close to the city. Thanks for any help.

[havoc315]

1 -- It's not like living in NYC. You drive to the nearest strip mall, shopping center, etc. I'm sure it depends where in Purchase, but probably looking at an easy 10 minute drive to a major supermarket. Again, it would depend exactly where in Purchase. For smaller shops, restaurants, you are within a few minutes of the downtown Harrison area. Just a bit further, to White Plains for more major shopping. Again, it depends where in Purchase, but you may also find yourself close to Rye.
2-- The schools have a decent reputation. Not the "elite" reputation of some other Westchester school districts, but good overall. It's slightly more diverse than some other Westchester schools, due to the broad socio-economic diversity of Harrison.
3-- Yes, there is a decent Jewish population. I believe there are a couple of synagogues in Harrison.
4-- No, plane noise is not a significant issue for most people. Though, you might want to hang around the houses you are specifically looking at, and look for fly-overs.

As for other areas to look at -- Really, much of the county would be open to you, from what I can see. Probably the 2 most significant issues, would be budget and commute. How long of a train ride can you tolerate? What's your budget? Any preferences in terms of amount of land, size of home, etc?

[Slapshot02]

Thanks for the info. Looking to spend around $1m and want the total commute to be under an hour but the shorter the better. Looking for about 1/3 of an acre. Prefer to stay on the side of the county closest to CT but flexible if need be. Really just want a good balance - good schools, nice house, decent property in a town that is not to rural but is close enough to shops to have a life outside the house, decent commute, down to earth folks not always looking to keep up with the joneses. Did have one follow up specifically - what did you mean when you said socio-economic diversity? That can be interpreted many ways. Thanks again and any other town suggestions are helpful.

[havoc315]

In terms of socio-economic diversity, Harrison has a bit of a working class population, and Hispanic population, moreso than some of Westchester's other upper class towns.

There are really quite a few places you can look. You might want to look in Rye Brook (Blind Brook schools). You can get a nice home for under $1 million. Exceptional schools. Large Jewish population. Supposedly more down to earth than places like Scarsdale. 45 minute train ride from nearby Port Chester. Right on the CT border. Not much in terms of shops in Rye Brook, but plenty nearby in Rye, Port Chester, Greenwich.

Among other towns you may want to look in: Larchmont, Rye, Pleasantville, Chappaqua. If you do decide to look on the river side of the county, try Irvington, Arsdsey, Hastings, and perhaps as far north as Briarcliff and Croton.

Good luck.