More advice on NYC please!

[UshaB]

Hi
This is my first time using mumsnet and I'd really appreciate some advice please! We live in Rickmansworth, Herts at the moment but are moving soon to New York, as DH has a new job in Manhattan. Our DS was 3 in July and our DD is 14 weeks. I've seen some of the threads already on this so apologies for going over old ground, but we are trying to decide whether to live in Manhattan or further out.
DH's colleagues have recommended Greenwich CT, but I'm so not a desperate housewife (and I'll be a stay at home mum for the 1st time) and am worried it will be a bit grand and snooty....is that a fair assumption?!? We'd like a bit of space as we'll be having family & friends over quite a bit so I was thinking this would rule out anywhere in Manhattan. I'm looking for family friendly and safe as priorities really, whilst keeping the commute for DH down to something reasonable. ANY help would be great - thanks!!

Hi UshaB,

It may be worth looking at what I said on Seabird's thread - we came here 8 weeks ago from St Albans with our 2 1/2 year old and 8 month old, I am a SAHM and DH works in Manhattan, so spookily similar to you! Basically I would say that Westchester/ Connecticut is very friendly and helpful and if you join an expat or newcomers group then you will be off to a good start - there are plenty of both around! Also getting your child(ren) into a preschool is a good way for you all to get to know people. In Manhattan we could only afford 3 bedrooms so didn't feel we had enough space for visitors or the children (-especially a garden) and we were eating takeaway all the time as it was so easy which didn't make for a healthy diet! On the flip side, we will probably have fewer visitors out here and therefore need fewer rooms, but what can you do?!! My DH now has a 40 minute train ride and 20 minute walk (-though you could always get a 2nd car if you wanted to avoid the walk) which we don't think is too bad.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

pegasus

Hey Usha!

I was raised in Greenwich and it is a gorgeous leafy suburban town! Since I left about ten years ago to follow my DH to Europe (living in St Albans now), I have noticed that it has gone a bit OTT on the "wealth" thing (the McMansions especially).

Don't be put off by the snooty Yummy Mummy brigade. The quality of life is quite high, schools are excellent. Don't forget to apply for a "beach card" so that you can spend lazy days at Todds Point or Island Beach (my fave!).

It really is a wonderful place to live. I wouldn't plump for NYC personally. In Connecticut the children could have a huge garden to play in addition to the superb parks and playgrounds. Besides, NYC is only a 45 minute train journey should you fancy a trip in of an evening.

Good luck with your decision and let me know if I can be of any assistance with info on Greenwich and the surrounds.

Pegasus and 2ManyPimms
thanks so much for the advice - it really helps us! I'll keep you posted on how it goes but the more we hear about it, the less keen we are to live in Manhattan with the kids..........it would have been a different story pre-children though, but never mind!
DH is in the US soon for work and is adding a few days on at the end to look around. Greenwich is top of the list but I think we'll also consider Westchester. Any more tips on other places that are family friendly and "nice" (can't think of a better word on 4 hours sleep last night!!) would be great though.
thanks for the info so far - wish I'd found this website a while ago!

Hi, Usha

Just bear in mind, if you do live in the suburbs, that NY winters are pretty cruel and getting about can be tough.

We lived in Long Island for 3 years, from 1980-83; we were quite lucky with snow but our fuel bills were savage. We had friends in Armonk (Westchester) and they found the same.

We had shedloads of visitors though - living outside Manhattan didn't bother them