After a two-year search, this NYC family found their ideal community, and a whole new rhythm.
Sabina Kaplan and her husband had New York City dialed in, but when they started thinking about moving from NYC to the suburbs, they weren’t sure where to begin. With two young sons, a great nanny, and schools that worked for their family, there was no immediate pressure to leave. But despite their solid city setup, they both knew the suburbs were likely on the horizon – and, as two people with zero personal experience in the suburbs, that next chapter felt like uncharted territory.
“We weren’t in a rush,” Sabina explains. “We wanted to be intentional. But we also knew once our oldest started kindergarten, we wanted to move.”
The couple’s only problem? They didn’t know where to start.
“I grew up in Chicago, and my husband grew up in the city, so neither of us knew much about the New York suburbs,” she says. “We wanted to learn how the different towns compared and what living in each might be like. We’d heard stereotypes but didn’t know what was true.”
A Google search led her to Suburban Jungle, and from there, the journey began.
From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Moving from NYC to the Suburbs
When Sabina and her husband started thinking about moving from NYC to the suburbs, they had no idea where to begin. With no ties to the area and limited knowledge of what different towns could offer, the process felt daunting. But with Suburban Jungle Strategist Alli Levine by their side, things quickly began to click.
Together, they cast a wide net, visiting communities in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Westchester County. Slowly, they began zeroing in on the right community. “Rye and Larchmont were top picks, and we ultimately found our new home in Larchmont,” Sabina says. “We love it here.”
Throughout the journey, having a neutral sounding board helped ease decision-making. “Alli was like Switzerland,” Sabina explains. “We could share what we liked or didn’t like about different towns without worrying about bias from a realtor. She gave us a big-picture perspective on the market and helped us ask, ‘What will life really look like here?’ That made all the difference.”
Choosing Larchmont
Ultimately, Larchmont delivered on every priority the family had outlined early in the process: a reasonable commute, excellent schools, a tight-knit vibe, and an international community.
“Both of us work, so being within an hour of the city was a must,” Sabina says. “We both drive – my office is near the highway, and my husband works in Yonkers – so easy highway access mattered too.”
Walkability also played a big role. The Kaplans didn’t want to be tethered to their car, even in the suburbs.
“We wanted a walkable, close-knit community, but not too small,” she says. “Diversity was also really important, since I was born abroad and my husband is first-generation. We wanted a strong international community, and Larchmont checked all those boxes.”
Settling In: Soccer, Farmers Markets, and Suburban Surprises
Once they landed in Larchmont, the Kaplan family jumped in headfirst. That first year, they went to every school and town-sponsored event they could.
“The first year was a whirlwind,” she says. “We tried to attend as many school and town events as possible, which helped us find our place.” Saturdays now kick off with kids’ soccer followed by a visit to the year-round farmers market. “It’s great food – especially the cheesy monkey bread and ice pops are a big hit with the boys,” she says.
If there’s no town event happening, the family might head into the city for a museum trip or take a quick drive to the aquarium in Norwalk.
“We discovered we love having the beach nearby. It turned out to be such a blessing,” she adds. But the biggest surprise? Just how friendly everyone was. “Coming from the city, friendships take time. Here, after one playdate, we were getting invited to dinner. Parents share the same mindset: building social connections for their kids. It’s been really refreshing.”
Finding Their Suburban Faves
As the Kaplans settled in, the family’s list of local go-tos kept growing. Now, they frequent both Stanz or Bluestone for brunch, and Rio Bravo for family dinners. “They have balloon animals and temporary tattoos for kids, plus a mariachi band sometimes,” she says. They also love Lusardi’s, and spending time at Memorial Park, just an eight-minute walk from their house.
“They host outdoor movie nights in the summer, food truck festivals, and other community events,” Sabina says. “It’s been a great way to meet people.”
Advice for Families Making the Leap
For families weighing a move from NYC to the suburbs, Sabina’s advice is clear: cast a wide net, be patient, and lean on experts.
“Prioritize commute, schools, and community vibe,” she says. “Give yourself time to find childcare and preschool, and work with someone unbiased. That was huge for us.”
Now, two years after starting their search, Sabina says the move has made their lives so much better – in ways she expected and plenty she didn’t. “We wanted to feel like we could build a community here. Now we’re doing it!”
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