[-]what is a cool town outside of nyc? i want to leave the city, but i don't want to end up in one of the big suburbs where it's hard to connect to people because you're always driving from strip mall to strip mall. i'm looking for something where there is a good group of people that are diverse, interesting restaurants and great public schoools. any info much appreciated. TIA
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there are lots of places like that. but they're not NY in terms of the AMOUNT of diversity, which is impossible. I think college towns in general are more likely to be like this. I live in Chapel Hill, NC, and sort of an extension area, Carrboro has a great hipster feel to it if that's what you like (people dress like they do in Williamsburg). The public schools are top in the country, there are tons of yoga places, some communal areas, the weather is great so lot of outdoor socializing and the highest percentage of PhD's in the country (b/c of nearby Duke, UNC, and Raleigh). It's NOT NY, but it has all of the things you listed. And my impression is there are lots of places like this. Don't you have a particular state or job market in mind,...
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just sick of the noise, crowded playgrounds, smelling bus fumes, crowded stores.
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yeah, i guess it's all relative. i don't know how to say explain it b/c i'm not diverse myself at all. however, i don't want to live by people that it's going to make their head turn to see a gay couple or an interracial couple or someone wearing an interesting outfit. that's what always bothers me when my relatives vist me in nyc. tehy're so shocked by things they see and it bothers me.
[ Reply | Options ]what about Queens or Brooklyn, no one's brought that up? I love Queens. most diverse county in the country.
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iv'e never really been to queens except for the airport. but whwat about the crowds, fresh air, does queens and brooklyn have less crowds and fresher air?
[ Reply | Options ]Forest Hills is quieter than Manhattan but still has a lot of traffic. Excellent schools, crappy restaurants. Very diverse: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Latino, Russian.
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It's very safe. Well, my husband and I are real foodies, so the FH restaurants don't excite us. There is a good Thai restaurant and a very good pizza place, Nick's, that is rated one of the best in whole city. That's it. FH has a good grocery, The Natural, with organic food. My kids started school this week at the zoned public school and I'm so happy I found it--very strong school. I'm saving a lot of $$$ for college this way
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I don't think there is anywhere perfect. Your best bets are Larchmont/Mamaroneck (there is a little town, the high school is remotely diverse, it's a lot of people from the UWS and the commute is good - but taxes are bad), Katonah but I guess outside the little village it is spread out and it's not that diverse, Princeton is cute (restaurant suck), Maplewood/South Orange but the school system may or not be to your liking, Millburn next door has a town and a different school system that may or not be to your liking, and then Westfield, Ridgewood and Summit are nice towns but probably a little snooty and conservative.
[ Reply | Options ]We moved from manhattan to maplewood, nj last yr. we really like it. for a suburb, it's extremely diverse in every way, beautiful, and the people are smart and successful and open-minded. we live close to the maplewood village, which has all your basic ammenities. we only have one car and we never use it. it's a great walking town. lots of community festivals, the community pool is fantastic, schools are good.
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[-] just witnessed real nastiness at the grocery store. (part of it was targeted at me, but not the worst of it.) feel bad that it makes me so angry. wish I could be more zen and just feel bad for people like this.
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[-]Mom of dc with food allergies - do you have any theory as to why your dc developed them? My ds has nut allergy (no family history). I ate a tons of nut products (craving them) while pregnant and while breastfeeding, I am wondering if it had something to do with dc developing allergy. Allergist tells me she doesn't know - they still don't know definitively why so many kids have food allergies now...
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[-]Would you recommend enrolling a child in pre-school at 2 or would you wait until he or she turns 3?
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np. my ds wasn't ready at 2.2 for preschool. i'm really glad we waited and just did a class or two when he was younger. it would have been a huge waste of money if we'd tried to start sooner. i'm not convinced most dcs get much out of it at that age. they are still parallel playing, etc. but if you have a mature dc, you should definitely consider it. it really depends on the dc.
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Two. My DD goes to a daycare (with some structure and a "curriculum") and has had little friends since she was really little. She runs in to see them and the kids go nuts when they see each other on the playground, etc. I worry that she is with people other than family for too long while I work, but I think some preschool is fun even at a young age. If you have cost concerns, it's not necessary though.
[ Reply | Options ]my first dc started daycare at 16 months; #2 is starting preschool this year (she is 2) - i see big differences in them - my son was more verbal, knew colors, letters earlier, etc. I know it depends on the kid but i really think if it is a quality program they benefit even at a young age...and dd loves it - she is going to preschool not daycare
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[-]Can you recommend a weekend getaway for DH and I for our anniversary within 4 hrs drive of NYC? We like hiking, dining, spas, relaxing, etc. Thanks!
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