r/Westchester

Hi! I’d love to hear some honest experiences from families who moved from NYC to Westchester mainly for the public schools.

Our daughter is 5 and starting kindergarten in NYC this September. We didn’t get into any of the schools close to our home, and after going through the lottery/admissions process, my husband and I have started seriously considering moving to Westchester — maybe next year or sometime in the near future.

The truth is, the only reason we would leave NYC is for our daughter’s education.
I love city life. I’ve spent essentially my whole life in the city, I don’t drive, and I’ve never lived in the suburbs. I love being able to walk everywhere, the diversity, restaurants, activities, and just having everything around us.

So I think my biggest question is: Is the difference in the quality of public education between NYC and Westchester really as significant as people make it sound?

For those who actually made the move for schools, do you feel like your child is getting a noticeably better educational experience — not just higher test scores or a “better” district on paper, but better teachers, resources, class sizes, enrichment, individual attention, and overall school experience?

We’re also a POC family, so diversity and feeling comfortable in the community matter to us as well. I’d especially love to hear from POC families about which towns have felt genuinely diverse and welcoming.

I’d really appreciate both positive and negative experiences. I’m trying to understand whether moving to Westchester for the schools is actually worth the lifestyle trade-off, especially for someone who really loves living in NYC.

Just thinking back on the brand new Galeria Mall in White Plains! MACY'S and JC Penney as anchors. Friendly's and others in food court. Large, inexpensive parking ops. The ramp up to the 3rd floor on MACY'S side. The interesting carts in the middle of the floors. Radio Shack...YOUR MEMORIES?

ready to upgrade! we have one child, so we don’t need anything huge. looking for a small/med hybrid SUV that can handle the snow and rain here…and the potholes! big trunk would be amazing, but i still want to be able to parallel park in a single space :)

currently considering honda CRV sport touring, hyundai tucson, subaru crosstrek/forester, or nissan. don’t need crazy bells and whistles but some creature comforts would be nice!

would love recs!

TL;DR: Genesis Health Clubs (Saw Mill Club, Mt. Kisco NY) has had one pool lift broken since 2022, and their other pool's lift broke July 31st — leaving disabled members with zero pool access. After months of being ignored, they sent a canned apology two weeks later and are ordering one new chair for two broken lifts. I'm not obligated to be a member here, but this is the only pool in the area that works for my medical needs, and I shouldn't have to cancel and go elsewhere because they won't maintain legally-required accessibility equipment.

Full Story:

I'm disabled — I can't walk due to MS. I've been a member at Saw Mill Club (Genesis Health Clubs) since 2022. The facility has two pools, a shallow pool and a deep pool, each with its own chair lift.

The shallow pool's lift has been broken since I joined in 2022. Never fixed.

In February, staffing issues forced the gym to close a pool — they picked the deep pool, the only one with a working lift. When I told management this stranded every member with a mobility disability, I was told to "come back later" or "make an appointment." Both of those are ADA violations (28 C.F.R. § 36.302(f) — disabled patrons can't be required to schedule around equipment other members use spontaneously).

They eventually reopened the deep pool. Then on July 31st, that lift broke too.

Since then: both pools, zero working lifts, months of emails and calls to management, completely ignored.

Two weeks after it broke — a full week after I emailed again — I finally got a generic "apology" email on August 18th.

And here's the kicker: they say they're ordering one new chair. One. For two broken lifts.

I know what people are going to say: "just go to a different gym." I don't have to be a member here — but this is the only facility in the area with a pool that actually works for my needs. Pool access isn't optional for me; it's how I manage a chronic illness. And I shouldn't have to be the one who cancels and goes hunting for another option because they can't keep basic accessibility equipment functional. Non-disabled members don't have to plan their entire fitness routine around whether the gym feels like maintaining its equipment this month. That's the whole point of the ADA — I shouldn't have to work around their negligence.

This is a sustained, documented violation of:

Title III of the ADA (42 U.S.C. § 12182)

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (§ 242.2 & § 1009.2)

28 C.F.R. § 36.211 — maintenance of accessible features, which explicitly prohibits indefinite outages

NY State Human Rights Law (N.Y. Exec. Law § 296(2)(a))

To management, if you're reading this: don't bother replying with a canned "please reach out" response. I've reached out to everyone for months. The only acceptable response is fixing both lifts.

If you're disabled and a member here, or considering joining — know that this is what "accessible facility" means to them. Its disgusting.

I'm looking to ride from Croton down to Sleepy Hollow. I couldn't find anything specific on the parks website and haven't been over there to look for signs. Are they officially allowed/not or just frowned on? Thanks!

Any store, supermarket, etc, is okay except for Trader Joe's, I know the GF foods they carry, thanks!

will they open a pizza hut around here anytime soon? ik they closed many nearby and there is one in mount vernon but i’m not tryna go there.

Weekly anti-trump/Lawler protest in Mt. Kisco on Saturdays 1-2pm in front of the libray/government center. Average age demographic of members seem to be 55-75. Friendly group. Dogs welcome. Music playing on a PA. Hand drums welcome as well. Weekly speakers. Cait Conley will be back to speak on 10/18/26.

Seems like theyve exploded where I live the past week (apartment building)…. i thought we got lucky 🫩

I’m moving from Long Island to Westchester to commute to Northern Manhattan/bronx. where should I look for 1 bedrooms or studios for myself? I’m so afraid of roaches thats my one thing and I heard white plains has a roach issue. I wanna spend 3,000 or less with all additional fees. let me know where you are happy (or unhappy)!!

also I’ve looked at Yonkers (avoiding getty square) ,white plains ,west Harrison, Hastings on Hudson, tuckahoe

Looking to move out of Manhattan and buy in westchester with ~$300k household income. ~$400k net worth, $200k liquid. Little debt. What is a reasonable entry point price wise on this income?

It's a madhouse there most days now. Thinking of upgrading to the executive plan to allow me an earlier entrance. Not sure how much a difference it'll make though. Thanks

Im 17 and I just recently moved to the northeastern part of Yonkers, this is the most boring summer Ive ever had, Theres nothing to do here. Please inbox me if you wanna hangout .

hii im planning on expanding my garden

i already have a pear tree. Anyone have recs for peaches, apples, cherries?? primarily looking for dwarf variants. thanks!