Single mom needs info on affordable rentals in good school districts (Fort Lee: insurance, house)

[icibiu]

NJ is definitely the better of the two when it comes to education

Lyndhurst is a really good option for you, it's affordable, safe and family friendly. Your commute to midtown would be very easy with lots of buses running right into the city. Lyndhurst is the last stop before the city and you'll be in manhattan in about 15 minutes once you are on the bus. There is also 2 two train stations if you prefer that route.

The school system in Rutherford (next town over from Lyndhurst) is better than Lyndhurst but housing prices are higher. If you're open to apartment buildings Rutherford has a few that might work for you especially if your children do not mind sharing. The commute would be just as easy.

I still think your going to run into issues with the dogs though. And I would not reccomend getting rid of your car at all. Public transportation to NYC from NJ is excellent there are MANY options but if you're going any where else it's limited, slow and may require lots of transfers.

[FloridaMama]

I know, having the dogs makes life very difficult...but they're like members of the family! And they're six years old...I can't imagine them being happy with anyone else at this point.

Maybe I could go up a few hundred dollars a month in rent...sigh. I forgot how expensive the East Coast is. But the job opportunity is a great one, and the economy in Florida is terrible and good jobs are scarce. I'm in the journalism/publishing field, and NYC is the place to be for that.

[HalfFull]

Originally Posted by FloridaMama

It would pretty much be a normal 9 to 5 job, so it would be rush hour. So, what neighborhoods in New Jersey would be within that hour commute? And are any of them affordable?

You'd be fine in places mentioned like Rutherford & Lyndhurst. Just wanted to caution you that saying you'd accept a longer commute for schools/affordability doesn't open up that much of NJ. For instance, if you look at a map, you might think a town like Morristown isn't that far from the city (probably only 25 minutes in a staright line); but the express train to Penn station takes a full hour and then you'd have to add time getting to the station and from penn to subway downtown then walk to your office, which quickly turns it into a 90-120 minute trip.

[FloridaMama]

Originally Posted by HalfFull

You'd be fine in places mentioned like Rutherford & Lyndhurst. Just wanted to caution you that saying you'd accept alonger commute for schools/affordability doesn't open up that much of NJ. For instance, if you look at a map, you might think a town like Morristown isn't that far from the city (probably only 25 minutes in a staright line); but the express train to Penn station takes a full hour and then you'd have to add time getting to the station and from penn to subway downtown then walk to your office, which quickly turns it into a 90-120 minute trip.

I appreciate the info! If I could avoid a two hour commute each way, I'd prefer it. And I do need to be realistic about how long it will take me to get to work from the time that I walk out of my door to the time that I arrive at work.

[robmm1978]

I briefly lived in Lyndhurst for a few months while commuting into NYC a few years back, and like others have said, the commute is great with the express bus.

The town itself is fine for what it is- older housing, a main street with some shops and restaurants, but it did seem to be family oriented town.

Off the top of my head, I'd also perhaps check out Clark.

[FloridaMama]

Originally Posted by robmm1978

I briefly lived in Lyndhurst for a few months while commuting into NYC a few years back, and like others have said, the commute is great with the express bus.

The town itself is fine for what it is- older housing, a main street with some shops and restaurants, but it did seem to be family oriented town.

Off the top of my head, I'd also perhaps check out Clark.

Does Clark have good schools? When I just looked up Clark on Craigslist, i also saw Garfield - worth checking out?

[robmm1978]

Clark schools are fine. With a $1600 budget you're not getting the best of the best, but you'll find a middle class residential town with middle of the road schools... which is the same with Lyndhurst.

[icibiu]

Garfield is not the best, it's actually an abbott district.

I personally would not chose to live there, especially if I could afford something else.

[FloridaMama]

Originally Posted by icibiu

Garfield is not the best, it's actually an abbott district.

I personally would not chose to live there, especially if I could afford something else.

Thank you! This information is very helpful. It's hard to check places out and get a feel for them from a distance!

[MaverickDD]

Originally Posted by FloridaMama

Does Clark have good schools? When I just looked up Clark on Craigslist, i also saw Garfield - worth checking out?

Originally Posted by icibiu

Garfield is not the best, it's actually an abbott district.

I personally would not chose to live there, especially if I could afford something else.

Originally Posted by FloridaMama

Thank you! This information is very helpful. It's hard to check places out and get a feel for them from a distance!

Mixing up Garfield with Garwood, maybe? High school age children residing in Garwood attend school in Clark, so it's only natural that Garwood would come up in Clark searches.

That said, I think Garwood would be a perfect fit for you. It's within your price range. Schools are good to very good. The commuter train to the City runs right through town and everything is walkable.

Here's a similar thread regarding Garwood: Cranford, Westfield and Garwood information?