Where to move in Westchester county NY?

[Anonymous]

We have lived in DC area for 15 years (!!!), currently in South Kensington and love it. But are considering moving closer to family in the next year, as my job circumstances will allow that this summer... We have family in Rye NY, Darien CT, and Manhatten, as well as New haven CT. We do have a large budget for a home, but would prefer a low-key vibe, and do not want a flashy town where everyone is flaunting their wealth. We have 3 little ones and I'd anticipate sending them to catholic schools. Most likely neither of us will need to commute to the city daily. Based on some google research, I'm thinking Larchmont, Bedford, or Rye might fit the bill? Would appreciate any feedback on these towns and/or other suggestions!

[Anonymous]

OP -- also maybe Chappaqua? I love the idea of more land (ie Bedford, Chapppaqua) - but I also want neighbors!

[Anonymous]

Define “large” housing budget, and hopefully you’re aware of how high property taxes are there.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I don't think I'm totally prepared for the taxes. We could spend $2M or a little more. Would love to spend less and do some renovations. Love older homes.

[Anonymous]

Property taxes are high because the schools are amazing. Why would you plan such a move if you were not going to make use of the #1 reason people live in Westchester, which is the great public schools?

FWIW, I was raised in Chappaqua and loved it. Great place to be a kid. My parents will point out quickly that no one lives there without kids - property taxes are not worth it unless you're making use of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I don't think I'm totally prepared for the taxes. We could spend $2M or a little more. Would love to spend less and do some renovations. Love older homes.

Darien would be perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Property taxes are high because the schools are amazing. Why would you plan such a move if you were not going to make use of the #1 reason people live in Westchester, which is the great public schools?

FWIW, I was raised in Chappaqua and loved it. Great place to be a kid. My parents will point out quickly that no one lives there without kids - property taxes are not worth it unless you're making use of the schools.

I was raised in Chappaqua too. Most people there have kids and they do tend to flash their wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Property taxes are high because the schools are amazing. Why would you plan such a move if you were not going to make use of the #1 reason people live in Westchester, which is the great public schools?

FWIW, I was raised in Chappaqua and loved it. Great place to be a kid. My parents will point out quickly that no one lives there without kids - property taxes are not worth it unless you're making use of the schools.

I was raised in Chappaqua too. Most people there have kids and they do tend to flash their wealth.

The reality is that most anywhere where houses regularly go for north of 2 million and there is a lot of concentrated wealth, there is going to be some flashing of that wealth and it's not going to be super down to earth.

[Anonymous]

Op - yes all true sadly. Not sure the move is the best idea. We’d love to be near family but my heart isn’t sure we’d find the right community

[Anonymous]

My good friend is from New Canaan and says she would never go back due to showiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Property taxes are high because the schools are amazing. Why would you plan such a move if you were not going to make use of the #1 reason people live in Westchester, which is the great public schools?

FWIW, I was raised in Chappaqua and loved it. Great place to be a kid. My parents will point out quickly that no one lives there without kids - property taxes are not worth it unless you're making use of the schools.

I was raised in Chappaqua too. Most people there have kids and they do tend to flash their wealth.

Also grew up in Chappaqua. Found it stiflingly small despite the proximity to the city. At the time it was quite middle class; now when I go back, there seems to be a lot more wealth. School are still excellent. Horace Greeley had something like 4 finalists in what used to be the Westinghouse competition (now Regeneron?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I don't think I'm totally prepared for the taxes. We could spend $2M or a little more. Would love to spend less and do some renovations. Love older homes.

That’s not going to get you very much house, not in Chappaqua, if at all.

[Anonymous]

My sister lives in Larchmont and she chose it in part because it’s a socio economic mix. There are some big beautiful homes but also very modest ones and the high school is in Mamaroneck, which is a lot more middle class.
The one thing she did say was they felt the need to join a club because that’s where the socialization is - there are no neighborhood pools like here. I think Rye does have some non fancy beach clubs but the overall vibe of Rye is pretty posh.

[Anonymous]

Check out the Hudson line - my sister lives in Briarcliff Manor and the towns along there seem much more down to earth than Scarsdale or Ry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have lived in DC area for 15 years (!!!), currently in South Kensington and love it. But are considering moving closer to family in the next year, as my job circumstances will allow that this summer... We have family in Rye NY, Darien CT, and Manhatten, as well as New haven CT. We do have a large budget for a home, but would prefer a low-key vibe, and do not want a flashy town where everyone is flaunting their wealth. We have 3 little ones and I'd anticipate sending them to catholic schools. Most likely neither of us will need to commute to the city daily. Based on some google research, I'm thinking Larchmont, Bedford, or Rye might fit the bill? Would appreciate any feedback on these towns and/or other suggestions!

I live in New Haven and it is great. Born in Rye.