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06.22.08, 18:37 PM Toddler
85 replies
want to move out of the city want a cool town, 40 minutes or less from NYC, good schools, we aren't rich. any recs? thinking of westchester county but someone said the people there are annoying...Long island? we are in the UWS now. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
Toddler 06.22.08, 06:37 PM Flag
 

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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:38 PM Flag
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i don't know a good feel to it? laid back, fun stuff happening, pretty/..and I am way to UNHIP for williamsburg. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:39 PM Flag
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Try Great Neck. Amazing park system and an easy commute to NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:41 PM Flag
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Great Neck is not for the income level she is alluding to,it is also not known as a very friendly place. it is has mostly Iranian Jews so if she is not one of them she may feel excluded. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 05:46 AM Flag
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port washington [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 05:33 AM Flag
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I second that! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 08:03 AM Flag
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LOL. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:40 PM Flag
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Lol. Westchester is a pretty big place. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:40 PM Flag
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i know that's why I wanted a rec! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:43 PM Flag
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I was reacting to "people are annoying" post. My sis likes Pleasantville, but I can't say it's cool. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:46 PM Flag
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oh..she didn't elaborate, I was hoping someone else could. I think she was meaning pretentious [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 07:00 PM Flag
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I live in Mt. Kisco, and I really like it - moved from UWS 6 years ago. 50 minutes to midtown. Lots of shopping, sidewalks (!!), really down to earth people (lots of UWS transplants). We're zoned for the Bedford schools which are great. My DS has really thrived in his school. It's true that some people in Westchester are annoying, but you need to find "your people". Don't chase the top school, or the best commute, or the cheapest taxes, because ultimately, these things will not make you happy if you sacrifice your quality of life. Find what works for you. Spend a day in Kisco, or any other town you're thinking about and see if you like it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 03:13 PM Flag
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larchmont [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:41 PM Flag
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You will get a wider price range of homes in Mamaroneck and may also have a better sense of belonging if you KWIM depending on your HHI. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 05:45 AM Flag
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What is KWIM? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 09:54 AM Flag
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np: know what i mean [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 04:28 PM Flag
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Ardsley is nice -- good schools, nice people there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:45 PM Flag
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Red Bank, NJ? A little farther than 40mins though I think [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 06:49 PM Flag
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Bad schools and long commute. But a cutish town. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:48 AM Flag
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search crunchy, i asked similar a while ago and got a bunch of good answers [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 08:18 PM Flag
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Mamaroneck, I can't believe how great it is here. People are very nice, it has a beautiful waterfront park and great neighborhoods in different price ranges, drive around the diif neighborhoods south of the railway tracks and the waterfront communities to appreciate the variety of homes for diff income levels available. There are two school districts Mamaroneck and Rye Neck. Mamaroneck is for a part of Mamaroneck and all Larchmont residents and Rye Neck is for a part of Mamaroneck and a part of Rye residents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 05:44 AM Flag
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^^^Mamaroneck school district has one of the best performing arts programs in the country. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 06:10 AM Flag
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Hastings [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 07:02 AM Flag
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More like 50 minutes, but you could try Old Greenwich. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 07:07 AM Flag
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They say they are not rich and you all are suggesting Larchmont, Mamaroneck and OLD GREENWICH! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 07:09 AM Flag
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Old Greenwich is great, great water town, great feel, good schools, but you also need a budget of 2.5m plus [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:06 AM Flag
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What you want does not exist. You can get two of your three easily. All three is impossible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 07:21 AM Flag
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Most of these posters are not being very helpful. Mamaroneck could be an option def, also people like Ardsely, Irvington. in NJ (which I'm more familiar with) try maplewood, montclair, westfield. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 08:08 AM Flag
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in case you're still watching...i grew up in westfield & did not like it there (left wing jewish family). would not call it cool, and would definitely not call it crunchy [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 06:02 PM Flag
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Rockland? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 06:05 PM Flag
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I live in Long Island, wont say what town, its too wonderful and I dont want lots of ppl moving here. Its perfect the way it is. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 06:31 PM Flag
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Thanks for sharing. But you should know from reading on these boards that Long Island sucks hugely. Enjoy your little vacuum-sealed world. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:16 AM Flag
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And Long Island is notorious for not only the most obnoxious vocal accents, but breast cancer clusters!!! What fun. Oh my gawd! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 03:50 AM Flag
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Karma [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:01 PM Flag
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yeah, what is up with those accents?!? Even in upscale places like Garden City, people sound like they're from Bwooklyn, ya know? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 06:41 PM Flag
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Glad you think that way, please stay away. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 12:51 PM Flag
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What town? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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suffolk county - eastern long island - best kept secret [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 12:54 PM Flag
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are you italian or irish? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 06:40 PM Flag
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ITTTA. Me too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 12:48 PM Flag
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things are getting more affordable in Nyack and Piermont; Parts of Mt.Vernon are feeling good lately, too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.23.08, 11:17 PM Flag
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I'd stay away from Mt. Vernon is Westchester, but I second Pleasantville. What are you looking to spend? You never know what people mean by not rich on this board. I consider not rich spending under 700K on a house, whereas some people think it's a million. If you're in 700K land, then Pleasantville or Mt. Pleasant are your best bets, and the beauty of Westchester is that all of the towns are very close to each other, so you can live in Pleasantville and hang in Chappaqua or White Plains or wherever. Also, if you don't have to be close to the City, Mt. Kisco is awesome. It has your chain shopping, but also has town charm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 03:39 AM Flag
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another vote for pleasantville. just moved here and love it! friendly, laid back and very pretty. Not really "crunchy" though. Good schools too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:06 AM Flag
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Agree with Mt. Kisco. Really nice town, great places to hang out. It was rated best family town in Westchester last year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 06:36 PM Flag
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Hastings on Hudson or Dobbs Ferry [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 05:06 AM Flag
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We aren't rich and we live in Maplewood, which is definitely a cool town. People here have their heads screwed on right, too, and there is a nice sense of community. Plus terrific arts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 05:27 AM Flag
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Not cool [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 12:03 PM Flag
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Maplewood is NOT COOL. i grew up there. also, it's arbitrary to say that people have their head screwed on right. itda. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 06:29 AM Flag
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Maplewood sucks ass!!! I live there too and hate it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 04:33 PM Flag
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pelham. you can get a decent house for $800k, taxes are high, but community is nice, schools are good and it is very close to the city. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 05:53 AM Flag
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in nj summit, short hills, ridgewood. in westchester tarrytown, katonah (1 hr from city), mt kisco, larchmont, pleasantville, sleepy hollow, nyack. in ct norwalk [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:10 AM Flag
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short hills, cool? no way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 12:46 PM Flag
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agree. lol. short hill is like the antithesis of cool. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 04:35 PM Flag
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nyack is the only town people have mentioned that is at all "cool". South Nyack is totally affordable. Very laid back, lots of arts, cools little stores, and definately pretty. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:48 AM Flag
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I like Nyack, but it's farther than 40 minutes from Manhattan, and the Tappan Zee bridge will have to undergo MAJOR construction for many years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:15 AM Flag
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disagree. Nyack is still pretty funky. I'd give it a couple more years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 03:16 PM Flag
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Is NJ out of the question?! Morristown, Summit and Westfield are my top picks. All have trains to Manhattan. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 06:56 AM Flag
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np: millburn too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:08 AM Flag
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I aesthetically like all of those towns and agree they are so nice, plus Ridgewood, and would think of them myself ($800K budget giver or take) but they are not really solving the issue of getting away from snobby people. Millburn has a "poor" section with houses around $700, a 35 minute rush-hour commute, a town pool, and a little town. South Orange next door is more crunchy/artsy with a different vibe, worse taxes but cheaper houses for the same money, a different school situation that you might like more or less than the Millburn one. I think you'd have to go and look around. These suggestions seem like good ones for NJ, and the Westchester ones do too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:48 AM Flag
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You should look at Maplewood and Montclair in NJ.They both have large creative communities. The schools are good in Maplewood and Montclair. The nicest people I know have moved to Westfield. I think Summit is snobby. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 03:47 PM Flag
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Maplewood/South Orange share a school district. South Orange has the more expensive sections. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 01:17 PM Flag
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They are't "cool" and "hip". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 12:04 PM Flag
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agree! they are more like "loathsome!" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 04:36 PM Flag
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What is it with you guys? What did we do to you? (I live in Maplewood and like it here.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 07:29 PM Flag
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Just moved from NYC to Garth Road in Eastchester (Scarsdale PO). 1400 sq ft coop for under 350K. Eastchester schools are highly ranked, door to door school bus servie. 27 min express train to NYC - 10 min walk to train. Playground across the street. Lots to do in village. I'm soo happy there [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 08:43 AM Flag
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i have a friend who lives there and she raves about the schools and life style [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 08:47 AM Flag
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We're in Eastchester, too, and really like it (technically in the village of Tuckahoe). Good schools, easy commute (six minute walk to train), shops and restaurants, short hike to White Plains or Yonkers for stores like Target. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 03:25 PM Flag
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Are you still on? I am moving to Garth in about a week and I am totally freaking out about it. I am a real city girl, but you are like the 5th person I have heard who lives there and loves it, so I am hopeful. Although I think we may have overpaid a little. We 1300 sq ft and paid 395k, but it is really beautiful shape and has huge closets, new appliances, etc. But we acutally had our offer accepted in December right before really starting dropping. We just haven't actually moved yet. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 09:07 PM Flag
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I'm pretty sure she said she IS NOT RICH. How could she possibly afford places like Larchmont/Mamoroneck? I think if you're looking for not rich, good schools, relatively close to NYC, you definitely should lean towards Long Island than Westchester. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 09:53 AM Flag
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ON LI, there is Sea Cliff which isvery artsy, also Port Washington has a huge range of housing. Huntington and Northport are slighly further, but you could get what you are looking for. In Westchester Hastingson the Hudson and Irvington. I am not as familiar with NJ, but Montclair [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 12:22 PM Flag
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I grew up in Port Washington. It's a great town - I still go back frequently (live in NYC) b/c my folks are there. It has a lot of wonderful things going for it, but I definitely wouldn't say it's hip or cool. More down-to-earth than neighboring LI towns (though getting a little more chi-chi these days as RE has skyrocketed in the area). I'm struggling myself w/whether to move there since it kind of offers everything, except the hipness thing which I'm still working through in my quest for a suburb I can see myself in. Sea Cliff seems more our speed, but it's teeny tiny, houses are also teeny tiny and expensive, and the commute is sucky. sigh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 07:39 PM Flag
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Sands Point in LI is lovely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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LOL. and you are lucky, you can get a house for under 3 million. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:38 PM Flag
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bay ridge [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:39 PM Flag
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^^fwiw, we were about to leave bay ridge for jersey, but we just found a new construction condo for $499k. 2bed/2bath in a great location. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:41 PM Flag
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We're moving from Brooklyn to queens. so far the people I've met are pretty down to earth. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 04:50 PM Flag
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Glen Ridge in NJ has excellent schools, proximity to "cool" towns like Montclair & Bloomfield; direct train line to NYC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:46 PM Flag
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We moved there on the suggestion of my Aunt (a school superintendent in NJ) that the schools were tops. My kids ended up being 2 years behind their friends in NYC. Good is relative. NJ public schools love to talk about how great they are. Ugh. Lot of facilities; but no content. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 03:52 AM Flag
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I recommend Princeton, NJ. I have been living here for 2 years and just love it... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 07:51 PM Flag
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Yes, but not within 40 minutes of NY [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 12:05 PM Flag
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Hastings on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Ardsley - all on the Hudson in Westchester County. Good to very good schools, decent housing prices but taxes can be on the higher side. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:09 AM Flag
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Since you mention the Hudson towns - why not Croton a little farther up, so much more affordable than southern Westchester, but still with express trains (I think 45 minutes)? Don't know how 'hip' it is though...? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.29.08, 11:09 AM Flag
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40 minutes from NYC? You realize that you're choosing between Clifton NJ and Yonkers [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 12:50 PM Flag
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Eastchester. Tuckahoe. Rye with Mamaroneck schools to save money and taxes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 12:54 PM Flag
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How about Riverdale? Schools good through elementary. Incredibly diverse, 20 minutes to midtown, totally laid back. I wouldn't say it's a "cool" town but there is so much near here: botanical gardens, wave hill, arthur avenue, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 05:45 PM Flag
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