West Orange townhouse complexes (Edison, Livingston: loft, neighborhood, gated)

[EANJ]

Anyone live in any of these complexes? Thoughts, comments?

Thinking of making a move there but don't know a great deal about the area. One of those "seems very nice" kind of things, but maybe it's a "great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there" or something. I've driven around, seems like nice restaurants, shopping, etc. Don't know much about the various sections or the specific communities themselves.

Downtown West Orange? Is there a downtown? What's the commute like, via car, to Northern NJ, say Paramus? What kind of demographics are there in these townhouse complexes?

Thank you very much in advance.

[nykstevenyg]

Great Place to live, I assume the townhouse is not the down the hill so its a great place to live. 30 minute commute to paramus maybe a couple of minutes less, I have done it before numerous times. I dont know what the demographic of the townhomes are but I would take a guess most people are empty nest caucasian couples. The town itself is majority Caucasion, with a sizeable African American, Hispanic and Asian minority. As long as the taxes are ok, its a great move.

[EANJ]

Originally Posted by nykstevenyg

Great Place to live, I assume the townhouse is not the down the hill so its a great place to live. 30 minute commute to paramus maybe a couple of minutes less, I have done it before numerous times. I dont know what the demographic of the townhomes are but I would take a guess most people are empty nest caucasian couples. The town itself is majority Caucasion, with a sizeable African American, Hispanic and Asian minority. As long as the taxes are ok, its a great move.

Thanks for the info. I am not really sure what the "down the hill" refers to. I also know nothing about the area other than a few visits here and there. A couple of friends have some very nice things to say about the area though, and that prompted my thinking.

A friend of mine gave me a list and my initial looks were going to be:
Bel Air
Eagle Ridge
The Woodlands
Crown View
Crystal Woods
West Essex Highlands
The Pointe
Scenic Hill
Normandie Estates
Forest Creek
Crestmont Gardens
Essex Green Villas
Briar Hills
Vizcaya

I don't know anything about any of them. I am sure I will end up ruling out several based upon the age of the complex, location, demographic perhaps, price range, and/or some other factors. I was thinking of something in the $500k neighborhood but if I saw something I really liked then I'd certainly spend more. My hit list is end-unit, 3BR (min.), 2 1/2 bath (min.), perhaps an office or loft space, fireplace, preferably finished basement (even more preferable would be a walk-out/finished basement), amenities and perhaps a gated complex.

Thanks again.

[brook2ga]

The Highlands is nice. Units are spacious and I doubt any are $500 or more. Building started in 1990.

[EANJ]

Originally Posted by brookdaleresident

The Highlands is nice. Units are spacious and I doubt any are $500 or more. Building started in 1990.

Thanks.

[ansky]

Bel Air is a very new complex. I only know that because they advertise heavily. I read recently that some of those townhomes sold for as much as $800k. That area is very nice, and right near the Livingston border.
As for West Orange in general, I absolutely love it here. I live in a regular house (not a townhouse) and we love our neighborhood. We have become close friends with many of our neighbors. Most of them are young families with kids in the 0-10 years age range. This is by far my favorite of the 4 towns I have lived in NJ. The downtown area is ok, there are a few restaurants we go to occasionally.

[EANJ]

Thanks. I heard very nice things about Bel Air -- that it's the newest, and the most expensive. Thanks again.

[nykstevenyg]

Yes, Bel-Air very expensive but very nice. All the townhome communities in West Orange are very nice.

[EANJ]

Originally Posted by nykstevenyg

Yes, Bel-Air very expensive but very nice. All the townhome communities in West Orange are very nice.

I saw a few listings from there. In the $750k to $800k neighborhood. They do look very nice. Thanks again.

[Truth NJ]

West Orange is the best a very friendly community... there is no bad section in West Orange. The downtown area is Main Street Thomas Edison Museum is located there...the town always has something going on a very active town!