NNJers -- where should I buy a house?

[raangoli]

Jan 7, 2013 15:16:34 GMT -5 littlespitfire said:

Jan 7, 2013 15:10:56 GMT -5 justjen said:

Roseland-- sold!

www.weichert.com/45351065/?cityid=44193&maxpr=776&view=gallery

Shit, I'm almost sold on that!

also, what about Metuchen or Edison? Lots of nice old homes and train line, I believe. Lots of traffic, too, though.

There isn't much in the price range for Metuchen. In Edison, I'd suggest staying on the north side.

I feel like any town in Essex county comes with higher than reasonable taxes. Nutley and Maplewood included. But I will agree that those are nice towns and would make for a decent commute for both you and your husband.

[jessnpaul]

Jan 7, 2013 15:22:28 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jan 7, 2013 15:02:11 GMT -5 justjen said:

My dream town is like Madison or Millburn, but alas...

You could try looking in Maplewood on the side that borders Millburn (NOT the Irvington side!!!).

Another "border town" is northern Bloomfield (bordering Montclair/Nutley instead of East Orange). We nearly bought a house in Belleville that was a stone's throw from the Nutley border.

I also know people who enjoy living in Clifton and Wood-Ridge.

Speaking of NNJ, does anyone know where the NJ Nest board relocated to before the big exodus? Aren't they here on Proboards somewhere?

mbcdefg - I'll PM you about the NNJ board

[justjen]

DH grew up in south orange, so we know the difference.

We've talked about Maplewood, but the proximity to some not-so-nice towns makes me a bit nervous. Not that we've ruled it out, we're just cautious...

[jessnpaul]

Jan 7, 2013 15:02:11 GMT -5 justjen said:

Hey, Jess, my aunt is selling her GR house It's like waaaay over budget.

Even if it wasn't over budget, I don't think you'd want to take that one on ;-)

[Deleted]

If you're willing to take the bus in, look at Springfield as well. Schools are on par with Maplewood, and taxes aren't terrible. Commute would be about your max (1.5), but transferring from Port Authority to the A train is much quicker and less annoying than from Penn.

[justjen]

Totally don't mind taking the bus. Will look into it!

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion in about a year and a half :-p

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 15:47:41 GMT -5 justjen said:

Totally don't mind taking the bus. Will look into it!

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion in about a year and a half :-p

Lol, this is how I was when we started talking about buying. I live in a less desirable town in Union Co. But we don't have kids so we weren't concerned with the school district so much. And I love our town, but it's definitely working class, so it doesn't have a great reputation.

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 15:37:42 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

If you're willing to take the bus in, look at Springfield as well. Schools are on par with Maplewood, and taxes aren't terrible. Commute would be about your max (1.5), but transferring from Port Authority to the A train is much quicker and less annoying than from Penn.

:Y:

I like Springfield a lot, we lived there before we bought. At the time, Springfield (and everywhere else in the proximity) was unaffordable for us.

[dragonfly08]

Jan 7, 2013 15:06:37 GMT -5 cookies said:

you should consider East Brunswick.

I grew up in East Brunswick. Would live there again, and send my kids to the schools, no problem. Both my sister and I commuted from there to jobs NYC (me for only a short time but in my sister's case, for many years) and the bus made it easy. It had access to everything - shopping, restaurants, entertainment, the Turnpike for travel. Definitely a good location!

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 19:09:25 GMT -5 dragonfly08 said:

Jan 7, 2013 15:06:37 GMT -5 cookies said:

you should consider East Brunswick.

I grew up in East Brunswick. Would live there again, and send my kids to the schools, no problem. Both my sister and I commuted from there to jobs NYC (me for only a short time but in my sister's case, for many years) and the bus made it easy. It had access to everything - shopping, restaurants, entertainment, the Turnpike for travel. Definitely a good location!

I'll dissent, I dont see how EB is easily commutable to Wayne or NYC. So. much. traffic. Just because people commute to NYC (and they do) doesnt mean its a fun one. I grew up 2 towns over from EB and went to college the next town over, and it is one of the last places in NJ I'd live.

That being said, my cousin lives there and loves it, so....

[formerlyak]

I have friends who just bought in Chatham and work in the city and like it there. My grandma also lived there and I remember it being nice. My ex's dad and step mom were in Edison and I thought that was a nice area, and Metropark Station will get you in to Penn Station in a little less than an hour. Summit is also nice.

[Deleted]

Have you considered Cranford? I grew up there and lived there until just a few years ago, my daughter started school there. Wonderful small town community feel, highly rated schools, entire town walkable distance to the train (caveat is that it does not go directly into NY yet, I hear it's in the works) and mid-town direct bus, affordable taxes and beautiful older homes.

Westfield may be another option. People love it there, I think it is over-rated and crowded.

There are other Union County towns that offer an easy NYC commute without the high taxes, or congestion, of Essex and Bergen Counties. Berkeley Heights and New Providence are examples of great towns with highly rated schools and relative easy commute into the City.

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 13:57:18 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

I like this list better than NJ monthly.

Maybe because my town is rated WAY higher than in NJ Monthly's... and this includes more magnet schools.

www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-jersey/rankings

This list ranks Elizabeth HS at #6, no way is that accurate.

[dragonfly08]

Jan 7, 2013 19:21:21 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

Jan 7, 2013 19:09:25 GMT -5 dragonfly08 said:

I grew up in East Brunswick. Would live there again, and send my kids to the schools, no problem. Both my sister and I commuted from there to jobs NYC (me for only a short time but in my sister's case, for many years) and the bus made it easy. It had access to everything - shopping, restaurants, entertainment, the Turnpike for travel. Definitely a good location!

I'll dissent, I dont see how EB is easily commutable to Wayne or NYC. So. much. traffic. Just because people commute to NYC (and they do) doesnt mean its a fun one. I grew up 2 towns over from EB and went to college the next town over, and it is one of the last places in NJ I'd live.

That being said, my cousin lives there and loves it, so....

I've got nothing on a commute to Wayne. But my NYC commute was definitely reasonable by bus, and always less than the OPs current commute unless there was severe weather or an accident (which can ruin a commute of any length). I'm not saying it's the best option, at all...DH and I lived in West Orange and other than the schools would live there over EB, no question. But we had taxes that were over $11K/year and have only gone up in the time since, and housing prices were much higher, too, so there is a trade off.

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 21:12:12 GMT -5 dragonfly08 said:

Jan 7, 2013 19:21:21 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

I'll dissent, I dont see how EB is easily commutable to Wayne or NYC. So. much. traffic. Just because people commute to NYC (and they do) doesnt mean its a fun one. I grew up 2 towns over from EB and went to college the next town over, and it is one of the last places in NJ I'd live.

That being said, my cousin lives there and loves it, so....

I've got nothing on a commute to Wayne. But my NYC commute was definitely reasonable by bus, and always less than the OPs current commute unless there was severe weather or an accident (which can ruin a commute of any length). I'm not saying it's the best option, at all...DH and I lived in West Orange and other than the schools would live there over EB, no question. But we had taxes that were over $11K/year and have only gone up in the time since, and housing prices were much higher, too, so there is a trade off.

EB has disproportionately high taxes for what they offer, IMO. 11K isn't out of the norm for there either. Housing prices themselves are probably lower, though.

[bronxgirl]

Jan 7, 2013 15:06:37 GMT -5 cookies said:

If your husband will relocate to Somerset, you should consider East Brunswick. There are two main parking/bus terminals in town and a downtown bus that drops you off near the Holland Tunnel. I think the first stop is at Franklin and Varrick. Property values and taxes are reasonable and schools are excellent. If we were going to stay in NJ, that's where we'd buy our next place.

My friends live in East Brunswick and they love it there.

[jaybird]

Crawford or nearby towns (Scotch Plains, New Providence) may work for you, though they may be a bit far for your husband's commute. Maybe look in River Edge and Paramus too? They have express buses that will get you to the Port Authority in about 45 minutes. I think Oakland does as well.