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I know this has been posted a million times but bear with me.
I recently returned from visiting family in Katonah, in Westchester. It is one of the most quaint and simple areas ever, which I'm partial too; there's money there too however. Everyone drives Beamers and Benz's. I also have family on the Island (south-shore but still nice) , which I enjoy as well.
Taxes are incredibly high in both places but which one is higher? There obviously not both the same. Which one has better schools? I've been told a majority of LI highschools have metal detectors and arent as safe as there Westchester Counterparts.
I like the small town feel that Bedford-Katonah-Mt Kisco area has (especially the walkable, quaint downtowns) more than the suburbia feel of Lindenhurst-Babylon area has.
Few things I've noticed in my travels..
The homes in Westchester are more spread out, with bigger yards, and more landscaping.
There's less Italian heritage in Westchester
More of a neighborly feel in Westchester
The water in Westchester isnt as clean LI
Traffic is much less extreme in Westchester
MNR is 24/7 but is almost identical to LIRR
Basically, which one is for me? I come from a small town to begin with and like the feel. Money isnt really isnt an issue but commuting is. I will work in the city but will have to travel a lot. I would like a large lot with at least 3200 sqft. A place with a walkable downtown with lots of small, local business. Friendly people without some much New Yawk accent.
This is a very hard decision for me and I could use some real detailed answers and insight.
There are a few nice pockets on Long Island but in general it is a horrible, ugly,tacky, mess; except for the East End which is beyond commuting distance.
Westchester towns are much nicer,the housing stock is much nicer and the schools are better.It's an all around better environment.
Look in Bronxville.It's one of my favorite Westchester villages and is very close to the city.
Just a slight correction, Metro-North is a 20ish/7 operation, not 24/7. The last train on the Harlem Line leaves Grand Central at 1:56am, and service resumes at 6am. The last train leaves Katonah at a few minutes after Midnight to arrive at Grand Central, just before 2am, and service resumes at a quarter to five in the morning.
Lower Westchester differs from Northern Westchester, though, especially in terms of average lot size, and congestion. Northern Westchester is not as congested as Long Island, but parts of Lower Westchester rival parts of LI in terms of traffic and density. Northeastern Westchester differs slightly again, aligning more with its New England roots (Bedford was originally founded as part of CT), which is one reason why people tend to be a bit more circumspect with respect to the degree of flashiness.
Katonah and Larchmont are unique in that they have no national chains or big-box retail, mostly local shops, and local chains, like Mrs. Green's. Mount Kisco was re-created not too long ago, after devastating floods, hence the rebuilt shopping district. Bedford Hills also has numerous retail and auto centers along Bedford Road.
Since commuting is an issue, you must be within the Town of Bedford, and Katonah's P.O. straddles Somers and Lewisboro, for town parking, parks & rec, etc. Parking is a key component in ease of commute, since ToB guarantees resident parking permits, starting out in Katonah's far lot, regardless of location in Bedford, with opportunity to transfer to a closer lot at Katonah or Bedford Hills as spaces are available. Non-resident parking is more challenging at meters, or a few limited permits are significantly more expensive, and difficult to obtain. On peak trains, Katonah is about an hour to GCT, non-peak it can be 75-80 minutes, as in the last train at night.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Westchester hands down. People seem far more tolerant and social. I feel like Long Island is stuck in a time warp. There's probably still places on LI you can't even go to if you're black smh. The scenery in Westchester is beautiful especially the fall foilage along the Taconic State. Traffic is very light compared to LI and the roads are in much better shape, plus you can legally drive 65 The homes are larger and the schools to my knowledge are better. Only thing LI has over Westchester are beaches and no tolls. Btw, I would put MNRR above LIRR in terms of service and cleanliness.
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The homes are larger and the schools to my knowledge are better. Only thing LI has over Westchester are beaches and no tolls. Btw, I would put MNRR above LIRR in terms of service and cleanliness.
