Should I make the move from New York City to Westchester? 

Many clients I have worked with over the years have moved to Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye from Manhattan. The typical reasons they move are a desire for: larger home, yard, good public schools, access to the ocean. The beauty of the communities I cover is that they each provide all of these benefits and a short daily commute to Manhattan.  

Despite all these factors, many city-dwellers often approach the suburbs with trepidation and the fear of strip malls, cars and no good restaurants. I can assure you from first-hand experience that moving here is a change, but a good one. I have listed below some of the top questions/discussions I have with clients about moving from New York City. I realize each client’s needs are different so please feel free to contact me for more detailed information and a relocation package on moving to Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye. 

Q: Will I be spending hours on the train to get to work?
A: The communities I cover, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye, are serviced by Metro North with an extensive train schedule offering both express trains and regular service. The average commute time from Larchmont to Grand Central station is approximately 30 minutes on the express train. Depending on where you live in these towns, you might also be able to utilize the local BeeLine bus service to take you to and from the station. You can now purchase a combined NYC Metro Card and Metro North Commuter Rail Pass for a discount and this can be used to pay for the bus as well. 

Metro North Rail Line: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr
Bee Line Bus: http://beelinebus.westchestergov.com/

Q: Will I have to purchase a car?
A: While stores and restaurants in the “burbs” are not as close together as Manhattan, all the towns I cover have a central downtown area. Larchmont, Mamaroneck (Village) and Rye all have quaint village centers with shops, restaurants and parks all within walking distance to many of the neighborhoods. In the warmer months, my family actually walks most places on weekends when heading out for coffee or dinner. Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, you most likely will need at least one car to do various errands and visiting other locations in the area. This is inevitable. However, many of my clients and friends have found that one car is more than adequate especially since we have the BeeLine bus service in our local area that can take commuters to the train.  

Q: What are the true or hidden costs to be aware of living in the area?
A: Great question. If you are like most if us and have a mortgage when you purchase a home, the next largest fixed cost you will have living here is property taxes. Because we live in communities comprised of mostly residential properties, our taxes are higher because there is less commercial property to offset the expenses of the area. I advise anyone evaluating property here to always consider the home purchase price and the taxes to make sure that they are aware of their overall financial commitments. Tax information is provided on the property listing profile for every home listed on the multiple listing service. Taxes can also be grieved by homeowners if they feel their taxes are too high. Larchmont/Mamaroneck are evaluating a full reassessment in the near future although this is still in the works.  

Q: What kind of homes will I typically find and how much do they cost?
A: There are a variety of home styles in the area that include: Colonial, Tudor, Victorian, Mediterranean and contemporary. A majority of the homes are the center hall Colonial. A typical home in Larchmont (10538 zip code) is: 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2200 square feet situated on .11 acres. in Q3 2009, the median sold price is $889,000; average sale price is $1,008,168; and average price/per square foot of $448. 

Inventory is limited and bidding usually competitive; however, in light of the recent turmoil in the financial and insurance industries, overall market pricing and activity is slower than previous years but has increased steadily each quarter in 2009.  

Q: Do you have condo/co-ops?
A: Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye all offer an inventory of condominiums and cooperative buildings. Larchmont for example has five buildings conveniently located within steps to the Metro North Line and the village. New Rochelle now has the new Trump Plaza, Avalon and Lofts right next to the train station. Some complexes in Mamaroneck and Rye are within a stone’s throw to the beach or harbor.  

I will be adding more information here on a regular basis so please check back often. Or, feel free to contact me directly to learn more about what it is like to live in Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye.