Family needs NJ advice - Clifton, West Orange, and surrounding areas - or what's your suggestion? (Teaneck: apartments)

[cpleatham]

Hey everyone - our family needs your help!

My wife and I are relocating to the NYC/NJ area and need your advice. We are looking to rent and know that NYC is waaaay too expensive. We have two young children (6 yr old boy and 2 yr old girl), and need to make the right decision for all 4 of us.

1. We will be working in NYC - my office is most likely on Park Ave.
2. We would like to limit the commute by bus or train to an hour or so
3. We need an area with decent schools
4. The rent for at least a 2 bed needs to be $2k or less.

We truly appreciate any help all of you can be on this!! Currently we have taken a temporary place on route 46 in Fairfield until we find somewhere we can settle into.

[Melland]

I lived in Manhattan for 7 years before getting married and having a child.....We couldn't afford to purchase a 2 BDR in Manhattan and after an exhaustive search (including Westchester, Nyack NY....Southern Ct.) we settled on Maplewood/South & West Orange areas. Easy commute to the city by train or bus.

We bought, but there are some beautiful condos/townhomes close to the SO train station that you could rent. Whatever you do make sure you make the commute a few times before you committ to an area.

BTW--My office is on 34th & Park...About a 10 minute walk from Penn Station

[BobDCaterino]

I am sure you can find domething close to NYC in the 1200 range abd that would be for a house for rent. Try Teaneck or Belleville. Orange is way too expensive. Drive the neighborhoods not the apartments on the avenues.