Larchmont, Rye, or Greenwich?
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Anonymous
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We're having quite a hard time deciding between these towns and there's definitely much to love about all of them. Would love to know, from people who are either from the area or know about the area, which would you pick to raise your family?
My favourite thing about Larchmont is how walkable it is and its proximity to the water. Rye is certainly lovely but probably my least favourite of the three. Would still love to hear from people about it though. Greenwich also looks great - great beach and downtown but not as walkable and slightly farther out. My DH will only have to go into the city 1-2x per week but we definitely see ourselves going in for shows, dinners, museums, etc. We are open to both public and private schools. I've heard great things about Rye Country Day and Greenwich Country day but also about Rye High school and Greenwich High School. Thank you so much! |
Anonymous
| I have a few friends in CT and they’re all in love with Westport. Is that on your list? |
Anonymous
OP here. Absolutely lovely town but for some reason it just didn't make the "cut" for our top three. Maybe because it's just slightly farther from the city than I'd like. I know the schools are amazing though so it's definitely not a no. |
Anonymous
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I grew up in Larchmont.. I would go Larchmont, then Rye and avoid Greenwich unless you want to live in a place full of Patrick Bateman’s from American Psycho.
Larchmont has a really nice town center, it’s a beautiful town, and I love the manor area (the area on the Long Island sound). If you’re looking for that idyllic childhood thing, at least aesthetically, Larchmont fits that. I have childhood friends still in a Larchmont and they are liking it as adults. Rye is very nice too! Not too many differences between them tbh. |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for your insight! I agree, I think it's one of the most beautiful towns and was blown away by how family friendly it was - nice restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, music schools, and an art school I believe in the downtown area. And lots of parks and a town skating rink - really lovely. And being near the water is certainly enticing. Thank you! |
Anonymous
| Greenwich hands down. Best public schools. You don't want to waste your time with Country Day. Drugs. |
Anonymous
I grew up there, and my family is still there. Anything in particular you would like to know? |
Anonymous
You’re welcome! And the skating rink (Hommocks) was a huge part of my life in elementary and junior high- Friday night skating with all my friends. I have some really fond memories! |
Anonymous
| I love larchmont; it’s charming and has an old town vibe. We live a town over, and pre covid would go to larchmont every weekend for dinners out- great restaurants. It strikes me as a little more down to earth and diverse than rye or Greenwich, but your money will probably go further in Greenwich in terms of houses, property etc. |
Anonymous
| Rye |
Anonymous
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All good for the right fit. Depends on what you're looking for...
Larchmont - Probably the most down to earth people. Also the most international, many expats live there (there is a French-speaking school). Least upscale downtown (but in a good way). Feeds into Mamaroneck high school, which is fine but not great. If you go private, you could go to Rye, but the Greenwich options are probably too far. Also, do you sail? Several people I've met in Larchmont belong to the Yacht Club and are big sailers, I think it's a big sailing town. Also, although closest to the city, it's a little farther from major highways like the Hutch/287 or 95. Rye - Friendly vibe, but very little diversity, somewhat down to earth, but still a big country club/beach club town. The type of town where everyone with elementary kids spends Saturdays at youth soccer or little league games. Where the SAHMs with hedge fund husbands are on the boards of the library, the YMCA, or the church preschool. Where you run into people you know wherever you go, because it's a pretty small town. Rye HS is also on the smaller side and good, but many go to privates too. Greenwhich - Not down to earth, the type of place for people who want a social scene. Most people belong to a country club, you might feel like an outsider if you don't. The downtown is great. Greenwich is actually socioeconomically diverse. Some of the housekeepers and nannies of all the billionaires also live in Greenwich, just in different parts, and their kids go to the public schools. The high school is also huge and diverse. I've been told if your kids is self-driven and mature, it's great because there are many specialized high level programs (maybe even more academically rigorous than the privates), but if not they may get lost in the shuffle. Many go to privates. Be prepared that if you start in public kindergarten, most of your kids' friends may leave for privates around 4th or 6th grade. |
Anonymous
| My DH grew up in Larchmont. If we moved back to the NYC area, we would move there. Chatsworth is a great elementary school and the town is a little more laid back than the others you mentioned. Very family focused and a shorter commute to NYC if that matters. |
Anonymous
I would choose Westport too if he only has to go in 1-2x a week. Compo area. |
Anonymous
| Greenwich. It is safe and beautiful and the schools are a amazing. I grew up there and my parents were not members of a tennis club or part of the preppy scene, but there was quite a big international scene, Europeans, people from other countries who were there for 2-10 years. Definitely we were outsider status folks but I'd still go back there in a heart beat and have my kids attend Greenwich High School. |
Anonymous
My sister lives in Larchmont and chose it for those reasons. Her kids went to Mamaroneck High and did fine. It's sounds similar to BCC - wealthy but diverse and actually much smaller than BCC. FWIW, they felt they needed to join a club to have a social life and joined the yacht club. |