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08-14-2009, 11:47 PM
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5 posts, read 18,515 times
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My wife and I are looking for a home (700,000 or so) in either Mamoraneck or White Plains (we are interracial so we need diversity). What are the best areas in White Plains since the school district ratings scare us? Additionally, any advice on a good place other than Mamoraneck or White Plains? We are both professionals and would like to find an area that can provide a nice downtown (or nearby), good schools (even if private), diversity and family friendly. All help is appreciated!
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08-15-2009, 01:38 PM
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305 posts, read 1,826,674 times
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I don't know enough about White Plains neighborhoods to comment but I like Mamaroneck and Tarrytown for the diversity, family friendly feeling, nice town centers and ease of commute. Mamaroneck and Tarrytown also have good schools but even if you are unhappy with them, there are several private/parochial. Ardsley is an option - its a diverse school district (Caucasian, Jewish, Asian, Spanish) and I know a lot of interracial couples (including my DH and I ) all of whom are professionals working in Westchester and NYC
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08-15-2009, 05:52 PM
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4 posts, read 12,054 times
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Elmsford
Hartsdale
Tarrytown
Irvington
Sleepy Hollow
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08-17-2009, 12:40 PM
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375 posts, read 1,503,199 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cina1mont
My wife and I are looking for a home (700,000 or so) in either Mamoraneck or White Plains (we are interracial so we need diversity). What are the best areas in White Plains since the school district ratings scare us? Additionally, any advice on a good place other than Mamoraneck or White Plains? We are both professionals and would like to find an area that can provide a nice downtown (or nearby), good schools (even if private), diversity and family friendly. All help is appreciated!
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For that kind of budget in White Plains, you should look in the "Highlands" section. Geographically, it's approx borders are
Bryant Ave to the north,
Mamaroneck Rd to the east,
Soundview Ave to the west and south.
In White Plains, unlike other towns, you are not bound to a certain elementary school due to your address within the district. From the Highlands, the closest Elementary would be Mamaroneck Ave School. I visited there and despite the test scores and what not, I think it's a fine school.
We considered White Plains for a while but decided against it because we didn't hear good things about the Middle School. The main thing being that it is too large for a district of the size of White Plains.
EDIT: Actually, I should say, we havent completely decided against WP yet. |
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08-17-2009, 09:32 PM
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5 posts, read 18,515 times
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Hey thanks,
Can you suggest any areas to visit to get a feel for the area? We are thinking of taking a drive this weekend to scope out some areas but are a little lost as to where to start our drive.
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08-18-2009, 08:45 AM
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375 posts, read 1,503,199 times
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cina1mont, as I indicated above check out the highlands sections of White Plains for the homes in the area. Was my border description confusing?
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08-19-2009, 04:03 PM
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701 posts, read 3,191,543 times
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Diversity in Westchester villages is a very relative term. Only a couple of Villages would be so extreme as to be exclusive and closed. You have many villages with small minority populations, but that are pretty open to interracial families. On the other hand, there is something to be said for possible discomfort of being one of the only minority of interracial families, even if there is no exclusivity.
Dobbs Ferry may have a good balance. Good schools, liberal minded, a decent sized minority population.
But even where I am now.. Chappaqua... has a growing minority presence. Yes, it's still small, but noticeably growing. And interractial families have a presence, whether due to adoption or marriage. (My own family is interracial, via international adoption).
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08-19-2009, 07:48 PM
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5 posts, read 18,515 times
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We were considering Valhalla,Thornwood, Mamaroneck,and Pleasentville. Any feed back on these Villages.
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08-19-2009, 08:45 PM
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305 posts, read 1,826,674 times
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My cousin lives in Thornwood and loves it. She also works in the school and both her children are in the district. The area is mostly caucasian. My cousin is not caucasian but she does not feel like a minority which I think is important. Thornwood is a bit spread out. Schools are shared with Hawthorne and parts of Pleasantville and Valhalla but everything I have heard about the district is good (In addition to my cousin, another good friend works there). I am in Thornwood often and I see a lot of well kept homes, nice parks and tight knit community.
Mamaroneck is a diverse area. Nice town, great parks with proximity to the water. I personally love Mamaroneck and would have lived there if it wasn't so far from my parents. Schools are decent to and they share a HS with Larchmont, which is a more upscale town. I don't think you can go wrong with Mamaroneck either.
Pleasantville is also a very nice town with a great school district. I can't comment too much on Pleasantville but I'm sure someone will chime in as there are quite a few fans of that town on this board.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.
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08-20-2009, 09:14 AM
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701 posts, read 3,191,543 times
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Of your list, Pleasantville has the best rated schools. Pleasantville also have a real-village feel. It's a walking village, the schools don't even bus. (Which can be a pain in the neck, since not every parent wants their 7-year-old walking 1+ miles to school, over busy streets, alone). The village has a nice mix of shops and restaurants. The Jacob Burns Film Center is a bit of a cultural center for the county. Though not the most diverse part of the county, it's also not the least diverse.
Mamaroneck also has very highly rated schools, but the high school is very large, which if off-putting to some families. The school district covers a larger area than Pleasantville. There is a good amount of racial and socio-economic diversity in Mamaroneck, mostly owing to a large Hispanic population. There are some real working class neighborhoods in Mamaroneck, and some mega rich. (Especially if you include Larchmont, which shares the same school district).
Valhalla is spread out, has more of a middle class reputation. The schools have a good reputation, but less prestigious than the districts mentioned above. There is ample diversity in Valhalla, especially comapred to some other parts of Westchester.
Thornwood is spread out. Doesn't have much in terms of village charm. The schools are fairly rated, but I know families who would not want to send their kids to the district. It is not particularly diverse, though I wouldn't call it exclusive.
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