Job Offer In White Plains - Where To Live?

[kletter1mann]

Whenever somebody working in Wite Plains asks for suggestions we can always count on people suggesting communities to the south - tuckahoe, Eastchester, Scarsdale, etc.

Unless you seek smaller lots, higher taxes, less house for the money and more traffic and congestion in general, LOOK TO THE NORTH. Unless you need a city commute there are very few good reasons - in fact, none that I can think of - to do a reverse commute to WP from points south. Look at the towns up I-684 and the Saw Mill Parkway.

[Zimbochick]

Thanks everyone for your ongoing comments, they are very much appreciated. Yeah, I had figured you probably get more for your money heading north. Just trying to wrap my head around the schools there.

[kletter1mann]

Originally Posted by Zimbochick

Thanks everyone for your ongoing comments, they are very much appreciated. Yeah, I had figured you probably get more for your money heading north. Just trying to wrap my head around the schools there.

As long as you stay in Westchester there's not much to wrap your head around. Schools in the region range from merely excellent to the best of the best. Understand that with only a couple exceptions (Yonkers, Mt Vernon, New Rochelle, maybe White Plains) the school comparisons on this board are pretty much splitting hairs. Even the much criticized Fox Lane HS in Bedford is superb. It suffers statistically cause of a large latino group that drags down stats. OTOH, it sends a full quota of kids to the ivies every year and some of the wealthiest families in Bedford, who could send their kids anywhere, think it's wonderful. As you get into Putnam and Dutchess the story may change.

Farther north you're also likely to experience less culture shock - slower pace of life, less competitive, less keep up with the Jones, more rleaxed in every way. I wouldn't wish the move from Atlanta to southern westchester on anybody unless they were new yorkers to begin with.

[cali_to_nj]

Greatschools.net is a good site for school info - you'll see as kletter1mann pointed out that nearly every Westchester district and school rates a 9 or 10 (out of 10). District and school sizes may vary, some may offer more or less in the way of sports, arts, language programs, special ed, etc. but you don't have to worry about overall quality other than perhaps with the districts noted above.

I have a daughter in elementary school in Pleasantville - feel free to PM if you have any specific questions about the schools or village (it's a 15 minute drive to WP in average traffic).

[Zimbochick]

Thanks for the info. Although we are moving from Atlanta, we have lived all over the world, but I suspect living in southern Westchester would entail more hustle and bustle and competitiveness than we would normally choose. I'll stick we'll stay north if possible.

Pleasantville had caught my eye as the high school has a great reputation.

[cali_to_nj]

My honest evaluation of Pleasantville, having moved here from Los Angeles last June:

PROS:
quaint, charming, convenient, walkable village
friendly, family-oriented, welcoming community with great civic/school pride
smaller school district with solid reputation (have loved the teachers & admin so far)
several good preschool options in village and adjoining areas
lots of resources going into school system incl. new elementary facilities, current HS renovations
rec program with nice town pool and parks
train commute 46 - 48 min express to GCT, train parking available for village residents
central location - borders Chappaqua, Briarcliff, Thornwood, Armonk, only 15 min to WP, 20 min to Tarrytown, 20 min to Croton, 20 min to Mt Kisco
can use Mt. Pleasant town facilities if you are in the that portion of P-ville

CONS:
Housing inventory limited especially in village (walk to train/schools)
No bussing for schools (issue if live outside walkable area)
High taxes relative to lot/home size
Prevalence of mid-century ranch homes needing renovation once you get outside village
Not as many express trains as from larger stations such as WP or Chappaqua.
Trend towards 1-income/1-commuter families (could be a pro if fits your lifestyle, we are 2-income)

[Zimbochick]

Wow cali, thank you so much. Lots of valuable info.