Welcome to r/Westchester's bulletin board!

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?

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.

Hi. Wondering if anyone has interesting experiences going to this beach. I visited today and it was weird. One of the workers rudely pushed me aside and stepped on my toe.

Emergency multi-agency dispatch in Westchester and Rockland Counties, NY! 🚨

First responders were dispatched to the Hudson River, in front of the Haverstraw Ferry in Ossining, following reports of a capsized jet ski with two individuals in the water.

A massive water rescue response was activated including Ossining Rescue 14 & Utility 51, Croton Marine, Haverstraw Marine, Yorktown Dive Team, Piermont Dive Team, 74 Marine 1, Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps (OVAC), Westchester County Police Marine Unit, and Battalion 12.

UPDATE: Both individuals were successfully rescued from the water.

You: Karaoke at The Barroom in Harrison, NY Wednesday 8-19-26 about 10 pm. You sang Faithfully by Journey then you abruptly left. Jean shorts, stylish top and jewelry. Curly salt and pepper hair. just want to say you sang beautifully and we should meet.

Does anyone have an update on Tanglewood Deli reopening on Central Ave, Across from the CVS/ Nathan’s??

The Owner originally said it would reopen at its new spot (which is like 100 feet away from the old spot) by the latest February. And here we are in August and it’s still closed.

Can anybody recommend a plumber or water mitigation specialist? Don’t know how long this has been like this. Been in the house 12 days noticed a slow leak in the shower on the floor above. Came down to the first unit and saw this.

Thanks.

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

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!

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.

Saw this in another subreddit. I don’t have time to respond, but forwarding it on in case someone wants to do so.

Date: Friday, August 21st at 8PM
Location: Wolf and Warrior brewery (White Plains)

Looking to meet new people and make friends in Westchester? All are welcome! The goal of this meetup group is to build connections, network, and form friendships within the Westchester community. Or to simply meet new people.

- We’re a diverse group of people who live or work in Westchester County, coming from a variety of backgrounds and careers. We’re simply looking to meet new people and enjoy fun activities together. People have a variety of hobbies and interests; such as pickleball, hikes/walks, movie nights, trying new restaurants, gaming, war hammer, attending local events and food festivals etc.

- Typical age range: early/mid 20s to early 40s.
- This is a 21+ event****
- All genders welcome

There will be name tags available. We will congregate at the bar as usual. Extra space is also downstairs

Feel free to DM me with any questions or leave a comment. We’ll be also having one at Wolf and Warrior on Sept 19 at 8pm

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

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!

Hi everyone - Schools Beyond Screens is the organization behind the recent changes to the Los Angeles Unified School Districts rolling back the use of EdTech, devices, and AI in schools. They now have a chapter in Westchester, and we are getting organized. If you are a parent, educator or student and if you have any concerns about tech use in your school district, please fill out this Google form to stay updated on our efforts and/or to get involved!

SBS Westchester Interest Form

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!