SAHM? Check out these top NYC SUBURBS for the stay-at-home set!
Being a stay-at-home mama in suburbia isa lotdifferent than the city SAHM life. Why? In a word,cars.Not only will you have your own set of wheels to take you to and from school drop off, SLT, playdates, and everywhere in between, but you’ll be able to get yourself and your brood just about anywhere — without the subway and Uber surge charges.
That said, not every suburb is a SAHM hotspot which can be a challenge especially if you’re a newcomer. But never fear! We’ve tapped our locals, Strategists, and other go-to resources to round up the six best NYC suburbs for stay-at-home moms. And if you want to dig in even more?Get in touch! We’ve got plenty more local insights and intel where this came from.
#1. Scarsdale, New York (Westchester County)
With a tough-to-beat public school system andlotsof SAHMs packing parking lots at preschool pickup, lacrosse practices, SoulCycle, and the local Gourmet Garage, it’s no surprise this tiny community tops our list. And with a walkable downtown boasting everything from chic cafes to wine shops to lush green spaces, you’ll never run out of places to hang with your fellow mamas — with or without the kids in tow.
Another check in the Scarsdale SAHM box? Even during school breaks, Scarsdales shines. Quoting one local SAHM,The New York Timeswrites, “Especially during those weeks off from school, you don’t have to fly to Acapulco or someplace like that to make sure your children are busy.” For city moms, that’s abigwin.
#2. Rye, New York (Westchester County)
If there was an award for “perfectly positioned,” Rye would be pretty hard to beat. Just 26 miles from Manhattan andjustsouth of the Connecticut border, this stunning hamlet has everything and then some, including two beaches spanning 14 miles of coastline. And for families, of course, there’s Rye Playland, and schools that rank among the best in the country. Sure, you’ll pay higher school taxes for that privilege but, for most families who make the move to Rye, it’s well worth it.
In Rye, you’ll find lots of SAHMs but, unlike some communities, you’ll also find lots of nannies within both working and Stay-at-Home Moms homes. This flexibility gives many of the moms time to pursue their interests, be it entrepreneurial, volunteer, or lifestyle. Not surprisingly, fitness is front-and-center in this community, with everything from Bikram yoga to Core Pilates to SoulCycle and SLT all nearby.
#3. Roslyn, New York (Nassau County, Long Island)
The Stay-at-Home Moms mom scene in Roslyn isseriousbusiness. Not only is the town teeming with young families, but many of these moms doa lotmore than juggle their family’s busy lives. Many are involved in entrepreneurial and community pursuits, from fundraising to nonprofit development to blogging, volunteering, and more. That creates a truly unique sense of community that helps make this Long Island hotspot one of the best places to raise a family — and one of the best places to be a modern SAHM.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Roslyn boasts a quaint downtown, is near world-class shopping (Americana Manhasset and Lester’s, anyone?), amazing restaurants, on-trend fitness studios, and, of course, A+ public schoolsthat attract many from New York City and beyond. Roslyn also has its own LIRR train station and is close to stations in neighboring Greenvale and, even, Manhasset and Port Washington. The town also has a great nightlife scene for moms and dads looking to get out on Friday and Saturday nights.
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#4. Westport, Connecticut (Fairfield County)
Westport has long been an idyllic respite for Manhattan families — and, for decades, many have opted to pack up and head to Connecticut to live this vacation-esque life every single day. The town is home to endless culture — the Westport Playhouse, Westport Arts Center and Earthplace, for starters — plus sought-after public and private school options. There’s also Compo Beach, a 29-acre beach, boardwalk and park and, yes, even a bustling downtown.
Another thing we love? From a SAHM perspective, Westport has been getting a lot of love (and, sure, a little heat…) from the hit seriesAmerican Housewife.In the show, reluctant Stay-at-Home Moms — and reluctant Westporter — Katie Otto lives in Westport and spends episodes navigating the mom scene. Is it true? Yes and no. While there are enough brunch options, farmer’s markets, yoga classes, and green juice to go around, Westport is a friendly community with tons of young families and a vibrant SAHM scene.
#5. Armonk, New York (Westchester County)
Though just 35 miles from Manhattan, Armonk maintains a small-town feel thanks to a population of just over 4,000. Armonk itself is a lush, natural oasis for families, with averyactive SAHM scene.
For SAHMs, there’s the A+ school scene complete with a very active PTA and plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community — the school communityandthe community at large. The lack of a train station in town and the large acreage typically surrounding most homes here tend to keep full-time working moms away –and the Stay-at-Home Moms will be very busy driving their brood around from the multitude of activities!
Once done dropping off kids, moms can lunch at the newly opened Granola Bar in town after a great exercise class or two(tons to choose from: yoga, barre, the Equinox gym in town, tennis, pilates and MORE). And there is, of course, a great blow dry bar to complete any day. The quaint downtown Armonk is small-town living at its best, where you know all the kids and can watch them grow!
#6. Ridgewood, New Jersey (Bergen County)
Ridgewood frequently tops the list of best places to live in the U.S. — and one visit to this quaint New Jersey and you’ll see why. Not only does its charming downtown include TONS ofrestaurants, boutiques, gourmet markets and cafes, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find everything you’re afraid to give up when you head to suburbia — think concerts and live events, farmer’s markets, music, art, culture andlotsmore. For SAHMs, a move to Ridgewood meansneverhaving to worry about a dull moment.
If you’re a SAHM in Ridgewood, not only will you find plenty of other mamas right in town, but you’ll have plenty to do with and without the kids — a plus for any mom, SAHM or not. And come summer, you’ll have the option to join Graydon Pool for swimming and tennis, another great way to spend a day (or two, or 20…). Want to get a good sense for day-to-day? A quick Google search for “Stay at Home Moms in Ridgewood, NJ” will turn up lots of mommy meetups, mom and me classes and, even, a dedicated Facebook group just for local mamas. What’s NOT to love?
How we compiled our round-up: We taped our Suburban Jungle Strategists and Locals to share their “best of” rankings. From here, we layered in rankings, reviews and reports from City Data, NerdWallet and Niche to get our top six list.
Suburban Jungleis an award-winning firm that specializes in moving families from urban to suburban. The company’s innovative “town first” approach helps buyers find the right suburb for their family based on personality and lifestyle, not just the house. Services are FREE and fully customized to each family and their unique journey. To learn more and to connect with a Suburbs Strategist, and find the place your family truly fits in visitwww.suburbanjunglerealty.comand clickGET STARTED.