Life as a YUSP

In 2010, I forged my way north to Westchester County thinking, "I'll be just 30 minutes from Grand Central, so how different could it be?" Two years later, I own a car, have a puppy, commute to Long Island, but still (attempt to) maintain a social life in the City. I am officially a YUSP: Young Urban/Suburban Professional. There are probably tons of YUSPs in Westchester County, but I definitely feel out of place.

First off, I live in Yonkers, which has to be one of the lowest income areas in the county, and as a result, it doesn't fit the mold of "Westchester" the way that wealthier towns like Scarsdale or Larchmont do. The value of the condo I live in - which is very nice with river views - is at most, 15-25% of the value of the "typical" Westchester home, which probably has a property tax that amounts to more than I made in pre-tax income as a grad student in 2011.

Second, I don't have kids. It is next to impossible to have a conversation with a Westchester mom without the conversation revolving around their children, which means that I have no input to give...ever. I could ramble on and on about my pup, Rocky, but then I just sound like I'm pining for kids (for the record, raising a puppy is serious mental birth control).

Rocky aka Destructo

Third, I'm very interested in social issues, and there's not usually much to say when someone's biggest problem is deciding whether to send their kid to Yale or Princeton.

All jokes aside, I know I'm not the only YUSP in Westchester who craves the NYC amenities of their very recent youth, so I hope to share my local finds with other YUSPS and Westchester moms alike.