Colonia, Metuchen, Brunswicks, Spotswood, Matawan, Hazlet, Middletown, Marlboro (Edison, East Brunswick: condos, townhome)

[focus282]

Young couple, with children in the near future, looking to buy a starter home in area with:

• Family-friendly neighborhood (where kids could go out and play safely)
• Good school system
• No more than 1 1/2 hour commute (by bus, train has proven to be completely unreliable) to midtown NYC - husband works there
• No more than 30 minute commute to North Brunswick - wife works there
• Decent yard space for pets

What are your opinions on the following areas:

Colonia:

Metuchen:

North Brunswick:

South Brunswick:

East Brunswick:

Spotswood:

Matawan:

Hazlet:

Middletown:

Marlboro:

Any other suggestions:

[camaro69]

Originally Posted by focus282

Young couple, with children in the near future, looking to buy a starter home in area with:

• Family-friendly neighborhood (where kids could go out and play safely)
• Good school system
• No more than 1 1/2 hour commute (by bus, train has proven to be completely unreliable) to midtown NYC - husband works there
• No more than 30 minute commute to North Brunswick - wife works there
• Decent yard space for pets

What are your opinions on the following areas:

Colonia:

Metuchen:

North Brunswick:

South Brunswick:

East Brunswick:

Spotswood:

Matawan:

Hazlet:

Middletown:

Marlboro:

Any other suggestions:

Price range?

[focus282]

Just looking for a starter home for now -- so in the $200-$250 range.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by focus282

Just looking for a starter home for now -- so in the $200-$250 range.

In that price range, you will really be looking at condos or...perhaps...a very small bungalow-type house in...not so good condition. While I am not familiar enough with housing conditions in all of the communities that you listed, I can't imagine finding something in your price range in Colonia or Metuchen.

Hopefully some others can give you insight into the housing market in the other towns that you listed.

[HeatherLynn822]

Originally Posted by focus282

Just looking for a starter home for now -- so in the $200-$250 range.

We were able to buy a beautiful townhome in North Brunswick in the lower end of that price range in 2009.... but honestly any houses we saw for that price in those locations were terrible.

[focus282]

Budget aside, I'm looking more for opinions on what the areas are like. Any insight?

[EBWick]

Well in Middletown & Hazlet it won't be too easy to make N. Brunswick in a half hour.

The Brunswicks probably have what you're looking for. E.B. schools are highly regarded. Can get to NYC by bus in about an hour with traffic.

[HubCityMadMan]

Originally Posted by EBWick

Well in Middletown & Hazlet it won't be too easy to make N. Brunswick in a half hour.

We have friends and relatives in the Middletown area. It takes at least an hour from North Brunswick to get there and that is with no traffic. Not to mention that Rt 35 through that area pretty much ensures that you do not make a single light on it. I have taken backroads through Milltown, South River, Sayreville and Old Bridge to get out to Rt 35 and still it is about an hour. You googlemaps or mapquest it, it tells you to take Rt 1 up to Edison and then get Woodbridge Ave to 440 to the Parkway South which is one big out of the way horseshoe. With tolls.

Originally Posted by EBWick

The Brunswicks probably have what you're looking for. E.B. schools are highly regarded. Can get to NYC by bus in about an hour with traffic.

I agree. The highest ranked of the three are East Brunswick, but you really cannot go wrong in any of the Brunswicks.

[HeatherLynn822]

Originally Posted by focus282

Budget aside, I'm looking more for opinions on what the areas are like. Any insight?

We really love North Brunswick!
Route 1 can be a pain traffic wise, but you learn back roads. And having all the stores so close is a great convenience.
Taxes are more than reasonable and we have a great community of neighbors.
Schools are excellent too (I have subbed in NB for the last 2 years as well, so I have an inside look!)
Very pleased with our decision to move here.

[HubCityMadMan]

Originally Posted by HeatherLynn822

We really love North Brunswick!
Route 1 can be a pain traffic wise, but you learn back roads. And having all the stores so close is a great convenience.
Taxes are more than reasonable and we have a great community of neighbors.
Schools are excellent too (I have subbed in NB for the last 2 years as well, so I have an inside look!)
Very pleased with our decision to move here.

Yes the girlfriend and I have lived here for the past two years as well, we love it here. No complaints about the area whatsoever. Unless it is too close. Some people like to live outside the area where they work.