4 ms·

For me it's the schools. I have 3 kids and they all go to public schools in Manhattan. NYC has some very good public schools. Maybe not as good as the best priv

For me it's the schools. I have 3 kids and they all go to public schools in Manhattan. NYC has some very good public schools. Maybe not as good as the best private schools, but hey, you save 50-60k per year. Among elementary, middle and high schools, the best deal you get with the high schools. NYC has a system of specialized high schools where the admission is based on an exam. Some elementary schools are great. You can research that ahead of time and restrict the area you are looking to move to. Of course, the rents or home prices are higher in the districts with great schools. Middle schools, that's a bit of a problem. The admission is currently based on lottery. Quite a number of middle schools used to have exam-based admission, but now it's all lottery. Hoping for this to change in the future. If I didn't have to worry about schools, I'd choose Jersey City any day.

sti11waters 4y ago
My wife and I stayed in nyc when we were young. With kids now, we are thinking of coming back because of the schools. What is the best way to research the schools that you mention above assuming no prior knowledge.
- nyc_pizzadev 4y ago
  My experience with the NYC school system is that it’s a highly competitive process. Public schools start off zoned, and the best school zones command a premium for rent and home ownership. Private schools are harder in that you have a competitive application process and then a costly tuition. Starting off in a good school bodes well for landing in a top middle school and eventually a top high school. For public schools: https://schoolzones.us/nyc/ https://schoolzones.us/nyc/ https://www.schooldigger.com/ https://www.schooldigger.com/ NYS tests all their schools. A school which is in the top 10% of the NYS testing would be considered elite. Top 20% is good. The majority of NYC schools are bottom 50%.

sti11waters 4y ago

My wife and I stayed in nyc when we were young. With kids now, we are thinking of coming back because of the schools. What is the best way to research the schools that you mention above assuming no prior knowledge.

nyc_pizzadev 4y ago
My experience with the NYC school system is that it’s a highly competitive process. Public schools start off zoned, and the best school zones command a premium for rent and home ownership. Private schools are harder in that you have a competitive application process and then a costly tuition. Starting off in a good school bodes well for landing in a top middle school and eventually a top high school. For public schools: https://schoolzones.us/nyc/ https://schoolzones.us/nyc/ https://www.schooldigger.com/ https://www.schooldigger.com/ NYS tests all their schools. A school which is in the top 10% of the NYS testing would be considered elite. Top 20% is good. The majority of NYC schools are bottom 50%.