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Hi I am currently in Stamford and Planning to move to NJ. I have lived in NJ for 4 years before in Jersey city and Edison area.
I have a bugdet to 250-300k. I am confused to buy a condo/apartment(with no HOA fees or very little) or Single family home (for that I know I need to increase my budget).I am married and have 2 year old. I have inclination towards Scotch Plains and North Edison as they have good schools but open to look other areas.
Can anyone suggest me good areas to live considering decent schools, taxes, commute? (I know I need to compromise somewhere out od these parameters).
Also I want to highlight that I am renting in Stamford and works as a consultant in stamford and my wife works in NY city. I will also like to move in to NJ or NY for work.
In order to give you truly useful suggestions of communities to look at, we really need more information from you as to what you are looking for in a new community, as well as your expectations of what you want in a new home. Please see the stick at the top of this forum, Questions For Future and Potential Residents and post your answers to the questions. Please be as detailed as possible when describing what you are looking for in a community, and type of housing. Do you want a walkable downtown area with plenty of shopping and restaurants, or a more suburban environment. Are you needing mass transportation? Are you ok with having to drive to do all of your typical errands (groceries, dry cleaners, dr's offices, etc.) Do you want a single family home or are you ok with a townhouse/condo? Will you be renting or are you looking to purchase? How long of a commute are you comfortable with? (please keep in mind, we here in New Jersey are hard core commuters, an average work commute is about 1 hr to 90 min) Do you want acreage, or city lots? (urban/suburban vs rural suburban) What type of activities are you looking for - do you hike, mt bike, fish, explore the outdoors, or would you rather explore the city with the galleries and museums? NJ is filled with many quite small communities, each with their own school district, and each having their own "personalities," amenities, and atmosphere.
This forum is filled with many knowledgeable, helpful people would are more than happy to share their experience, and expertise with people considering moving to this area. By giving us a little bit more information on your needs/desires and wants we will be happy to give you truly useful recommendations.
Also just for the record all condos will have HOA fees, while are quite reasonable, some can be almost as much as a mortgage, depending on amenities provided. Remember it is the HOA that pays the majority of the property's property taxes since technically they "own" the land the condo's are on. HOA's also provide snow removal, lawn maintenance, and garbage removal which are all costly and which you'd have to pay for separately if you purchase a SFH. To find a town with truly "good schools" you are looking at having to increase your budget. In most cases, it usually comes down to finding towns that you can afford to buy in and have a reasonable commute, and picking the one with the best schools out of the short list.
Koala, I'm not sure the part about condo HOAs paying property taxes is correct. Condo unit owners pay property taxes directly on their own unit, which I believe includes taxes on their share of the common amenities. It may apply to co-ops, though.
In order to give you truly useful suggestions of communities to look at, we really need more information from you as to what you are looking for in a new community, as well as your expectations of what you want in a new home. Please see the stick at the top of this forum, Questions For Future and Potential Residents and post your answers to the questions. Please be as detailed as possible when describing what you are looking for in a community, and type of housing. Do you want a walkable downtown area with plenty of shopping and restaurants, or a more suburban environment. Are you needing mass transportation? Are you ok with having to drive to do all of your typical errands (groceries, dry cleaners, dr's offices, etc.) Do you want a single family home or are you ok with a townhouse/condo? Will you be renting or are you looking to purchase? How long of a commute are you comfortable with? (please keep in mind, we here in New Jersey are hard core commuters, an average work commute is about 1 hr to 90 min) Do you want acreage, or city lots? (urban/suburban vs rural suburban) What type of activities are you looking for - do you hike, mt bike, fish, explore the outdoors, or would you rather explore the city with the galleries and museums? NJ is filled with many quite small communities, each with their own school district, and each having their own "personalities," amenities, and atmosphere.
This forum is filled with many knowledgeable, helpful people would are more than happy to share their experience, and expertise with people considering moving to this area. By giving us a little bit more information on your needs/desires and wants we will be happy to give you truly useful recommendations.
Also just for the record all condos will have HOA fees, while are quite reasonable, some can be almost as much as a mortgage, depending on amenities provided. Remember it is the HOA that pays the majority of the property's property taxes since technically they "own" the land the condo's are on. HOA's also provide snow removal, lawn maintenance, and garbage removal which are all costly and which you'd have to pay for separately if you purchase a SFH. To find a town with truly "good schools" you are looking at having to increase your budget. In most cases, it usually comes down to finding towns that you can afford to buy in and have a reasonable commute, and picking the one with the best schools out of the short list.
KoalaNJ
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Thanks Koala for your reply appreciate it!!
As you mentioned here is the more detailed list of things (good to have) I want around my future home
1) I am not a city guy but I like to be part of the community which is lively e.g. will celebrate festivals and have frequent get together.
2) I am ok with the commuting 1hr to 90 mins as I have done it from edison to Exchange place for 4 years.
3) I don't need grocery stores walkable but within 4-5 miles would be great. A walk in convience store like quick check, 7 eleven, wont hurt at all
4) I love to go outdoors and good to have some actvities, Mall, Parks near by and to explore something new would be great.
5) I want a small house/Condo for now (2bed, 2 bath) but if I find a good deal can think of townhouse/Single family house also. (Max budget ~ 350-360 for single family) and 250K for condo/Apt.
6) I am looking to purchase and want very good to good school district, I have few palces zeroed on
like (Scotch Plains, North Edison, Plainsboro (Commute is more).
What are the other good areas with commute to NY is good?
how about warren any idea?
7) Regrading the HOA fees I agree with KTHNRY reagrding the HOA/property tax that we need to pay property taxes seprate from HOA fees and I dont mind HOA fees upto 150 to 200 bucks per month.
8) Also I like to buy something which is not from 60's 70's and 80's built (Sorry I am new to home search and not sure if that matters much or no).
You might want to shorten the commute along the Raritan line and think about Cranford, they just built a ton of new condos/apartments by the train station and slightly better schools according to the ratings (which you should always take with a grain of salt).
You might want to shorten the commute along the Raritan line and think about Cranford, they just built a ton of new condos/apartments by the train station and slightly better schools according to the ratings (which you should always take with a grain of salt).
You definitely do not want to be commuting from NJ to Stamford. Are you assuming that your work in Stamford will soon be coming to an end, and then you will be looking for work in NYC or NJ?
You definitely do not want to be commuting from NJ to Stamford. Are you assuming that your work in Stamford will soon be coming to an end, and then you will be looking for work in NYC or NJ?
Yes my work in the stamford will be ending by this summer and I will be looking option in NJ and NYC.
Please suggest some good location if you can
Thanks in advance!!
kawal
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Thanks for replaying..here you go
Thanks
