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Where are you coming from? NYC I'm 28 years old and my wife is expecting our first child.
Why are you moving? Have a daughter on the way and would like a more family friendly city/town to raise my child
Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC? I will be working in Midtown Manhattan
Will you buy or rent? Looking to buy
What is your budget ? I'm looking to pay no more than $2,000 on mortgage/taxes/home insurance. Don't want to give a 300k budget because we all know taxes are insane in some good nj towns and would brake the budget.
What kind of place are you looking for ? Family oriented town with great school system that also has a decent commute ( 1:30 or so to midtown Manhattan on public transportation bus/train or a combination of both)
Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ? yes, it will be my wife, my 10 pound dog and my soon to be born daughter.
Do you need/want good public schools? yes please.
Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in
(examples: families with young children, young, mature, artsy, diverse, safe, close-knit, block parties, etc). Close knit, safe, and with family with young children would be my Ideal neighborhood.
List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, short commute, etc). Safety, family oriented, charming.
You just described most towns in Somerset County. It is definitely within that 1.5 hour commute and has plenty of places that are great for raising kids.
I would try Somerset County too....Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Berkely Heights, Millburn, etc. They all have train stations and some have bus service so commuting will not be a problem. Door to door the commute time will be about 1.5 hours or less depnding on where inmidtown you work.
I would try Somerset County too....Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Berkely Heights, Millburn, etc. They all have train stations and some have bus service so commuting will not be a problem. Door to door the commute time will be about 1.5 hours or less depnding on where inmidtown you work.
I would try Somerset County too....Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Berkely Heights, Millburn, etc. They all have train stations and some have bus service so commuting will not be a problem. Door to door the commute time will be about 1.5 hours or less depnding on where inmidtown you work.
I mean, these are great towns, but unless OP has a substantial downpayment (which later he said he doesn't), $2K a month isn't going to cut it, unfortunately. That's about a 200K mortgage with 10K/yr property taxes.
off further south like the Brunswicks or Old Bridge. Still within 1 1/2 hours from midtown by bus. You'd get more for your money than you would in Somerset Co.
off further south like the Brunswicks or Old Bridge. Still within 1 1/2 hours from midtown by bus. You'd get more for your money than you would in Somerset Co.
Was thinking the same thing. $300K is going to tough in any nice town in NJ, even moreso in commuting distance to NYC. Middlesex is probably the best bet. Maybe Metuchen? Milltown? How 'bout Spotswood? Edison is an option as well, but it doesn't have the small-town sort of thing going for it, since the OP mentioned he liked that.
I'd suggest northern Monmouth County as well but that's pricey and the commute is hit or miss. Some days you'll get there in 90 minutes, other days are going to be disasters.
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You'd be better
