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02.01.13, 02:34 AM New York City
55 replies
Live in the city now around midtown west. Considering moving out to Westchester or to the UWS eventually as we are expecting soon. Never lived in the suburbs and although NYC is great it is overpriced and overrated. It's tiring to have to make multiple times the national average just to live like a grad student. We are South Asian and not sure if moving to a waspy/Jewish in Westchester suburb is right for us. Park Slope looks right but doesn't work commute wise. HHI ranges from 300-500 depending on the year. Have no desire to send kids to private unless we got really worried about our child. 40k/yr is ridiculous and only the kool-aid drinkers in NYC can make you and themselves think that it is a requirement to be successful and well-rounded. I'm looking for advice on 2 things - can we realistically live on an HHI of 300k + 1MM budget for 2br apt and which parts of the UWS are best for public schools? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 02.01.13, 02:34 AM Flag
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God I wish I had your money and budget. You can live wherever and be fine. If you want a huge yard, go to the suburbs...but 1MM will get you a fine place in the outer boroughs or parts of Manhattan. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:37 AM Flag
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Yes that money sure sounds like a lot, even to me. Never thought I'd be one of those douche posters claiming that being in the top few % is tough in nyc but here I am. Would love to go BK like I said, but not possible with work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:49 AM Flag
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We lived on half of that in BK and had a lovely, wonderful apt with outdoor space and were really happy. Anyway, I bet UWS or Queens has something for you, unless you want a suburban lifestyle. What kind of lifestyle do you want? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:53 AM Flag
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Prefer urban or something in between. Love to walk around everywhere all over the city. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:56 AM Flag
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Check out Washington heights. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:41 AM Flag
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Which schools and what part of Washington heights? If we were to live up there would like something with doorman and water views. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:50 AM Flag
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I don't know it that well, I live in Hamilton heights-not as consistent. There are "Unzoned" schools though for people who live in District 6. Amistad dual language, muscota, teacher's college community school, Hamilton heights school, castlebridge. All public k-5(or 8). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:54 AM Flag
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Look at the "hudson heights" section of wash heights. Lived there for 7+ years. North of 181st, below fort tryon park and west of Broadway/Fort washington Ave. Buildings/complexes with doormen would include Hudson view gardens, castle village, and 700/720 Fort Wash. Local district is good. You'd live like royalty up there in a $1MM apt... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:55 AM Flag
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will check it out thanks. would probably not be buying the most expensive apt in the hood, we are not the type. like to keep a low profile. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:07 AM Flag
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Good publics on uws are in 70s and low 80s. Can live just fine on your budget and find many 2brs at adequate prices. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:43 AM Flag
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which publics in particular? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:46 AM Flag
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ps9, ps199 are amazing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.07.13, 06:40 PM Flag
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Stop worrying about having to live among Wasps and Jews in Westchester. Those are the best school districts and if you actually go out and look at them, you'll find a growing number of Indian and Chinese families living there precisely because of the schools. Don't rely on Manhattan centric posters on UB to know what suburban life is like. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:43 AM Flag
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You are right the schools have good reputations. But I wonder how much worse public schools on the UWS are. Would hate to move for schooling only, like I said never lived in the burbs and afraid of drastic lifestyle change and boredom. I know many more people including myself who went to unheard of schools in various parts of the third world who are doing far better than kids who went to elite private schools or top public schools in picturesque leafy suburbs with a silver spoon in their mouths. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:53 AM Flag
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You got it! Many great public schools in NYC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:01 AM Flag
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The model as I understand it is that kids learn literacy in the home language until they are fairly proficient. I'd ask at the school how that works. Also, if you are opposed to (or cant sfford) tutoring, why not organize families to take turns providing once a week HW help to eachothers kids in their native language. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 11:57 AM Flag
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Ah! Reply went into wrong thread this was for dual language post [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 11:55 AM Flag
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If being around other South Asians matters, I would check out Newport and Jersey City. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:46 AM Flag
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Hate Newport. Jersey City is up and coming and would be a great choice, except doesn't work commute wise. And its Jersey. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:54 AM Flag
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Hey! My mom was from NJ and said people from there are nicer than New Yorkers! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:56 AM Flag
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You have heard of the Path right? Just as, if not more accessible than Westchester. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:00 AM Flag
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op-actually have lived in JC area before! Agree it is accessible but we need to commute to manhattan+ct [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:02 AM Flag
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Uh CT was critical information - move to Westchester. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:07 AM Flag
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You seem to have it all figured out about schools and kool aid while still expecting. You are obviously wise and will do well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:49 AM Flag
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How about Fresh Meadows, Queens? It's Asian and seems nice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:56 AM Flag
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I like the idea too, but again won't work with the commute. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:58 AM Flag
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I might just be me but from the tone of your post you'd fit in well in Westchester. Make sure you check out Scarrrsdale. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:57 AM Flag
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Where are you from originally? You are obviously not a native NYer. With your attitude I am guessing Texas. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 02:59 AM Flag
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ha! that's funny. couldn't be further from texas. try some part of the third world you''ll never go to. lived in nyc for a decade though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:03 AM Flag
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Obvious you aren't from here. Let me guess again, you are Punjabi? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:12 AM Flag
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why do you say that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:12 AM Flag
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Because you have a bad attitude like Punjabi girls - I'm right aren't I? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:16 AM Flag
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well you're not right at all. i wonder what's bad about my attitude though. i'm sorry i'm not willing to conform and give it to the brainwashing that manhattan/nyc metro puts people through. i've lived and travelled all over the world and known all sorts of people. manhattan is overrated, pure and simple but i'm stuck here so trying to make the most of it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:23 AM Flag
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Than leave, pure and simple. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:27 AM Flag
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thank you so much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:30 AM Flag
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FiDi might be an option. Good schools, high pct of South Asians, price would work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:03 AM Flag
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need to commute to ct. fidi is too far. if i were considering downtown though, i would take brooklyn/park slope over fidi in a hearbeat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:06 AM Flag
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If you're commuting by train you should live in the UES so you can get to Metronorth more easily. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:20 AM Flag
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Missed the commuting part, but 12 minutes on the 4 to GC is nothing compared to any commute from Park Slope. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:49 AM Flag
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Hoboken or Bergen County. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:04 AM Flag
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I agree with a lot of what you said with respect to manhattan being overpriced and overrated, but I have to say that that's equally true of the NY area suburbs, particularly Westchester (I grew up there). UWS may be your best bet if space is not an issue, but I'd be surprised if you found a decent 2BD in a good school zone for $1m on the UWS. I would have thought it'd be closer to $1.2. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:14 AM Flag
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I will also note that a "good" district on the UWS refers to elementary. I'm not sure there is a good middle school option. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:15 AM Flag
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1.2 is do-able i guess. i can see how westchester/ct is overrated which is why i'd prefer to stay in the city. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:27 AM Flag
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I thought it was Manhattan that was overrated? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:32 AM Flag
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i mean no offense to you. i think manhattan and most areas around it in the metro area are overrated. just my personal opinion. please don't ask me to move out if i don't like it, its not a choice i have and i really don't hate it at all! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:45 AM Flag
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Op if you have lived in NY ten years, know one person works in Connecticut and the other Manhattan, that you want an urban environment, and your budget it should be pretty simple to go from there. Stop seeking attention and look at real estate websites instead. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:19 AM Flag
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i know nothing about public schools in manhattan and particularly on the uws though. also not sure if we are crazy to try to live on the uws with that budget or we should just throw in the towel and move to westchester. thats why i came here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:26 AM Flag
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UWS district three schools including PS199 (mostly Jewish, and I'm Jewish), PS87, PS9 (decent diversity). Check out those zones. You can live comfortably, but unless it increases or you already have savings, you will always be much tighter than your suburban (or different city) friends. We are in that income on the UWS, and it is hard to save much or feel like we have cash. It has much to do with where you start. If you are already saving, it will help. You will not feel rich in Manhattan. I am still happy to be in the city over the burbs, but it's a trade off on many fronts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:23 AM Flag
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thank you for sharing your experience. this was helpful. we don't mind sacrificing space and being a bit tighter than we would in the suburbs, but also don't want to be living hand to mouth. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:48 AM Flag
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UWS - PS 199 - live in Lincoln Towers. It's great for kids - big private playground with climber and basketball courts, playrooms in the buildings, parking spaces (for a fee). The buildings are derided here, but they're great and zoned for a top school. But btw - i think your comment about private schools is obnoxious from someone who hasn't even had her kids yet nor toured schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:27 AM Flag
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The OP is obnoxious - full stop. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:32 AM Flag
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sorry if i was obnoxious. my impressions have been through various people i've met, known and worked with who have been through the private schools in this city. i always felt they had an elitist entitled view of the world and were completely unaware of how things are outside of their bubble. could just be me though of course. thank you for the advice on 199. isn't that a school that fills up really quick? what are the alternatives when that happens? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:40 AM Flag
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Are you driving to work in CT? Otherwise I would live on east side, a stop or two from GCT. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:51 AM Flag
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yes. and personally prefer the west side and proximity to the park and hudson river. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 03:52 AM Flag
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Bayside is your best bet! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 02.01.13, 04:28 AM Flag
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