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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Good areas in Westchester
My husband might relocate with his current job to Purchase, Westchester. I just wanted to look at some of the houses in some good areas in Westchester.
Can anyone tell me about some good areas? Schools are very important to me.
Also, is there a Westchester MLS site? I couldn't find what I was looking for when I googled it.
Thanks so much for any advice!
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Posted 1/10/07 11:22 AM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Larchmont & Bronxville are my favorites.
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:25 AM |
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mommy2Alex
3 babies for me :)
Member since 5/05 6683 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
I really don't think you can go wrong in Westchester. I know Scarsdale is very nice. I went to school in Pleasantville and that was nice as well as Briarcliff Manor.
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:32 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
from my research I heard the only 2 places that aren't great a yonkers and port chester
you should print out a map of westchester- it's very large-
I am looking in Southern Westchester
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:35 AM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Purchase is a little further up than Larchmont & Bronxville, but it's maybe a half hour drive.
Purchase itself is very nice, I don't know about the school districts though. Rye is near there, which has a great SD, but is very expensive.
White Plains is near Purchase & the Northern parts & very nice & I've heard the SD is good.
Most SD in Westchester are good. The only ones I've heard to avoid are Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers,Greenburg ( Hartsdale, parts of White Plains), Portchester & Ossining (I think)
You will probably find a better deal north of Purchase, but I don't know if you want to be closer to LI ( if you have family there)
ETA- WPMLS doesn't seem to have its own website. I used realtor.com & also accessed the MLS site through a realtor page ( not who we used)
Realtor with MLS listings
Also, I think Nferrandi is from Purchase & might be able to help you.
Message edited 1/10/2007 11:43:49 AM.
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:38 AM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Thanks so much for all the great advice.
This is all speculative. My husband could definitely commute, so it's not IMPERATIVE that we move, but I thought I'd just check out Westchester and see what it offers.
Ultimately, in a few years, we might move to North Carolina, so I probably don't want to bounce all over the place. I was just checking out the options!!
But man, I always knew Westchester was $$$  , but wow!! Some places don't even OFFER houses in my price range, (which I think is pretty generous) I guess, just like here in LI, houses are ridiculously priced!!
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:44 AM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Yeah, its always fun to look though, right! 
I didn't realize Purchase was so expensive either.
Message edited 1/10/2007 11:58:06 AM.
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| Posted 1/10/07 11:51 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
I found that Northern Westchester is cheaper then Southern Westchester
I fell in love with a house in Croton- so I might be in for a long drive
I don't know where you live now- but I commuted from Long Beach to Stamford for 2 weeks and it's not a good long term solution
I was in the car each way for 2 hours on a good day- 3 on a bad day- accident, rain, no reason
and it isn't cheap- going from Queens to Stamford - cost me $200 a month just in tolls
just something else to consider
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| Posted 1/10/07 12:05 PM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
We live in Franklin Square. The drive would probably take him about 1 hr. and 15 minutes...the same as his commute now from here to downtown Manhattan.
Tell me about commuter expenses!! Besides the LIRR and the subway, my DH also pays for a non-resident car parking sticker for the LIRR lot in a nearby town. All told, we spend a TON of money a year just to get him to work and back! It's insane!!
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| Posted 1/10/07 12:08 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Posted by joenick
We live in Franklin Square. The drive would probably take him about 1 hr. and 15 minutes...the same as his commute now from here to downtown Manhattan.
Tell me about commuter expenses!! Besides the LIRR and the subway, my DH also pays for a non-resident car parking sticker for the LIRR lot in a nearby town. All told, we spend a TON of money a year just to get him to work and back! It's insane!!
So, it might actually be better to move. You could probbaly find something decently priced within a half hour of Purchase ( White Plains, Valhalla, Elmsford) & you wouldn't have to pay tolls or train fare.
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| Posted 1/10/07 12:18 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
my only problem was the cross island parkway- to get from the southern state to the bridge- could take any where from 20 minutes to 1 hour
depending on what time he leaves
you can test it out for a while and see
I came home on night and looked at my DH and said we are moving to westchester and he didn't argue
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| Posted 1/10/07 12:19 PM |
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Mount Kisco is nice, but a little further north, it's considered Northern Westchester.
Houlihan Lawrence has all the MLS listings for Westchester.
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| Posted 1/10/07 12:59 PM |
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shellibean
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/06 408 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Mt. Kisco is nice,a friend grew up there!
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| Posted 1/12/07 6:58 AM |
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sticklee
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 2984 total posts
Name:
Stick
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
i agree that Mount Kisco is gorgeous.
i also like Bedford- it has that old small town feel
i got lost driving in port chester and i was terrified
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| Posted 1/12/07 10:25 AM |
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LA723
LIF Infant
Member since 7/06 171 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
I live in Westchester....Ossining to be exact. I think I might be the best versed. NO, Ossining is not bad. Like most towns, there is a bad side and a good side. For the most part, the village is not so hot (right near the prison). I live on the Millwood side, taxes are very high, but the schools are fine, that is, up until you get to the high school.
White Plains is nice but EXTREMELY expensive because Trump is now building so much, it is getting outrageous. As far as the schools, there is a lottery system. So you are not guaranteed the school closest to you.
Northern Westchester is cheaper, for the most part, because the further from the city you go, the lower the prices get.
If you need any help with anything, please let me know. Good Luck!!
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| Posted 1/12/07 10:32 AM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
purchase is on the border of connecticut or within 5 minutes. maybe there are nice towns there.
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| Posted 1/12/07 10:33 AM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Posted by LA723
NO, Ossining is not bad. Like most towns, there is a bad side and a good side. For the most part, the village is not so hot (right near the prison). I live on the Millwood side, taxes are very high, but the schools are fine, that is, up until you get to the high school.
That's like where I am in Hartsdale. The area is fine, but the HS apparently isn't.
Posted by LA723
White Plains is nice but EXTREMELY expensive because Trump is now building so much, it is getting outrageous. As far as the schools, there is a lottery system. So you are not guaranteed the school closest to you.
That's interesting-- I didn't know that. I've heard from teacher friends that the WP school district is good. Is the lottery just for diversity or or some of the schools better than others?
Posted by jerrysgirl
purchase is on the border of connecticut or within 5 minutes. maybe there are nice towns there.
I think the towns closest to NY are very expensive.
Message edited 1/12/2007 10:54:10 AM.
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| Posted 1/12/07 10:53 AM |
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ckone
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3014 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Briarcliff is nice. Pleaseantville is lovely.
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| Posted 1/12/07 10:56 AM |
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LA723
LIF Infant
Member since 7/06 171 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Posted by tourist
Posted by LA723
White Plains is nice but EXTREMELY expensive because Trump is now building so much, it is getting outrageous. As far as the schools, there is a lottery system. So you are not guaranteed the school closest to you.
That's interesting-- I didn't know that. I've heard from teacher friends that the WP school district is good. Is the lottery just for diversity or or some of the schools better than others?
Posted by jerrysgirl
purchase is on the border of connecticut or within 5 minutes. maybe there are nice towns there.
I think the towns closest to NY are very expensive.
I think they do the lottery system for diversity.
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| Posted 1/12/07 3:18 PM |
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Mom-2-Liam
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 917 total posts
Name:
Mary
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Most areas in Westchester are very nice and some can be very 
Mt. Vernon isn't that great - some parts are ok but the school system is not. Most of New Rochelle is good, but there's some dicey areas.
Hawthorne is reasonable I believe. My friend lives there and lieks it. So is Rye, I think. Pleasantville is also very nice.
They are all around Purchase. And of course Purchase is nice too. You can't really go wrong in Westchester.
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| Posted 1/12/07 4:58 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Mamaroneck hasn't been mentiioned. Valhalla is also pretty good.
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| Posted 1/12/07 5:15 PM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
You guys are awesome!!! Thanks so much for all the great advice.
However, my DH will probably be getting another job in Manhattan (where he currently is anyway). So I guess Westchester is out.
BUT...I still LOVE looking at houses in all different areas. I could be a professional house hunter!!
I went to about 60 Open Houses before I bought my current house. I just loved seeing what was out there!!
God help me when we start looking/ building in NC!!! 
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| Posted 1/12/07 6:13 PM |
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Tumbalina
Better than the news!
Member since 2/06 2840 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Westchester is gorgeous and $$
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| Posted 1/12/07 6:22 PM |
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mom2aidan
2 boys & 1 girl :)
Member since 11/06 1874 total posts
Name:
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Re: Good areas in Westchester
Posted by LA723
I live in Westchester....Ossining to be exact. I think I might be the best versed. NO, Ossining is not bad. Like most towns, there is a bad side and a good side. For the most part, the village is not so hot (right near the prison). I live on the Millwood side, taxes are very high, but the schools are fine, that is, up until you get to the high school.
White Plains is nice but EXTREMELY expensive because Trump is now building so much, it is getting outrageous. As far as the schools, there is a lottery system. So you are not guaranteed the school closest to you.
Northern Westchester is cheaper, for the most part, because the further from the city you go, the lower the prices get.
If you need any help with anything, please let me know. Good Luck!!
I am a teacher in White Plains and I live in New Hyde Park.
My commute is about 40 minutes, but I take the clearview and I leave at 6:15 so I miss a lot of traffic....
FYI there is NOT a lottery system in White Plains. I don't know who gave you this information. White Plains has something called CHOICE - which means you can go to the school closest to you OR you can CHOOSE to go to a different school in the district. No one tells you which school to go to. Additionally, all the schools in the district are nationally recognized.
ETA White Plains was one of the first districts to de-segregate after Brown V Board of Ed. The CHOICE program helps to ensure diversity amongst the schools, however, parents decide where to send their children, not the district.
Message edited 1/13/2007 3:46:22 PM.
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| Posted 1/13/07 3:43 PM |
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