Leaving to Stay: How to Move Out of New York in a Way That Saves on Rent but Still Accesses the City's Benefits

According to ApartmentList research, rental prices in New York City are rising faster than in any other US city. During 2021, rents there grew by an average of 33,5%, and this is against the backdrop of a surge in crime and extremely tight quarantine restrictions. No wonder so many are looking for ways to move out of this metropolis. At the same time, New York is still one of the best career opportunities in America, as well as a bustling cultural life and good prospects for young people. Therefore, many would like to leave only partially, that is, save on rent and live in a more relaxed environment, but at the same time not lose access to the “goodies” of New York.

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ForumDaily consulted with realtor Katya Brinkman, and she noted that the ideal option for such people is to move to Westchester County. The region is one of the top 100 best places to live in the United States, with excellent schools, a good economy and - most importantly - proximity to New York.

At the same time, contrary to popular myth, you don’t have to be a millionaire to live there. Near the expensive cities of Westchester - Scarsdale, Bronxville, Larchmond and Rye, there are more affordable settlements - Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Yonkers, etc. The former are inhabited mainly by wealthy Americans, whose families made their fortune a couple of generations ago, but the latter are occupied by the typical middle class, for example, in 60% of families in Eastchester both parents work. Because of this variation, the median household income in Westchester is a little over $100 a year. The neatness and convenience of many of the county's cities suggests that these are all elite areas with exorbitant housing prices, but according to realtors, this is not always the case, and middle-income families can also afford a house in the area.

Wide choice of accommodation

Westchester County has accommodations for all tastes. If you are a connoisseur of silence, freedom and a large yard, then you can buy a house with a spacious plot. If you have no time to deal with the yard and want maximum amenities, proximity to restaurants and schools, pay attention to a residential complex with apartments. The houses are located in busy areas within walking distance of train stations with convenient transport links to New York.

Proximity to New York

Every locality in Westchester County is in close proximity to the city of New York, trains arrive at Grand Central Station in the heart of the metropolis. The county has easy access to I-287, I-87, I-684, and the Saw Mill River Parkway, as well as several stops on the New Haven and Harlem Metro-North lines. Many cities in Westchester (Bronxville, Pelham or Scarsdale) are only 30 minutes from Manhattan by car or train. For example, comfortable express trains from Eastchester to Grand Central leave regularly at short intervals, make few stops and get you into the city in just half an hour. Even if you live in New York, you may end up stuck in traffic for longer periods of time on your commute.

Unrivaled Schools

For many years, Westchester's high schools have been ranked as the best in the US (according to US News and World Report and Niche.com). In 2020, US News and World Report ranked 13 schools in Westchester County among the top 50 nationwide. Moreover, the schools here are smaller than in New York City, so students get more attention, teachers take into account the individual characteristics and needs of each.

On the subject: How much does it cost to live in the USA: housing, food, entertainment and other expenses

Due to the fact that the district was chosen by immigrants from Europe and Asian countries, it has schools aimed at foreigners: one of the best French schools in America, as well as German and Japanese educational institutions. And in Dobbs Ferry High School There is an international baccalaureate program. On it, a child can receive an education that will be accepted everywhere in the world, without the need to recalculate the points of the certificate or re-credit certain disciplines.

Westchester's educational benefits don't stop at the schools. The district is also home to 28 institutions of higher learning that boast highly successful alumni. The county is one of the most educated in America.

Kindergartens in the region also regularly receive high marks, in Westchester there is one Russian kindergarten and several Russian-speaking centers for additional development.

Photo from the personal archive of Katya Brinkman

Active leisure

With trails for hiking and biking, lakes for kayaking, and parks for children and dogs, Westchester is an even better option than New York City, where access to nature is severely limited or requires hours of driving outside the city limits.

At the same time, cities in Westchester are quite lively, in the center you can always find atmospheric restaurants, vibrant malls, cinemas, sports schools and other entertainment for all ages.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Immigrants, especially Europeans, like to live in this district, which affects the local way of life and culture. There are many shops and restaurants with European dishes and products in the region.. For example, a large Italian and Irish diaspora lives in Eastchester, St. Patrick's Day is actively celebrated there, there are many Irish pubs and Italian restaurants.

Access to art

Westchester boasts a mixture of different cultures, each of which has contributed its own unique piece to the life of the region. The district has more than a dozen museums and art galleries, as well as 23 concert halls. So if you are a connoisseur of fine arts, theater and music, then here you will definitely have something to do.

Job Opportunities

Westchesver is very comfortable for those who work in New York. However, there are also many profitable employment opportunities in the county itself. More than 170 companies are headquartered in Westchester, including IBM, Pepsi, Mastercard, Heineken USA, Regeneron and Danone North America. In total, nearly 34 firms operate in the region, generating more than $000 billion a year.

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