Watchung NJ in the winter... (Jersey City, Somerset: 2014, how much, home)

[pinkpig]

Hello all, im thinking of moving to watchung NJ. I drove around the neighborhood a bit and its hilly in some parts. I was wondering for those who live around that area can you comment on how it is in the winter?.

1. When it snow is it hard to drive around, icy conditions?
2. Do they salt/clean up the snow quickly? (i currently live in NY and my area gets plowed fairly fast, that spoiled me)
3. Better to have an AWD car ?

Any info would be great!

Watchung area map
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6758/watchung.jpg

Thank you!

[bay]

I live in Berkeley Heights which is very close to Watchung and has hilly area as well. We drive SUV which we can switch between 2WD to 4WD. The reason we decided to buy SUV is far before we moved to BH. We used to live in Jersey City which is more urban setting. Our sedan was spinning 360 degree in one of the winter so we decide we get SUV as long as we stay in NJ. Last October snowstorm, I was driving my son home from Warren, and I saw some little sedan suck/spin on the up hill road while I have no problem to run through it.

My town normally clean/plow very fast, but sometimes it still icy on the road. I will suggest you to get a SUV if you decide to move to NJ suburb.

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by bay

I will suggest you to get a SUV if you decide to move to NJ suburb.

ROTFL. There's no need for an SUV for most people in NJ. AWD is certainly helpful, but we don't get snow all that often -- a few times a year, more last year, less this year. And if your tires are decent pretty much any sedan can handle what we get.

[bay]

Originally Posted by nybbler

ROTFL. There's no need for an SUV for most people in NJ. AWD is certainly helpful, but we don't get snow all that often -- a few times a year, more last year, less this year. And if your tires are decent pretty much any sedan can handle what we get.

I was living in Colorado before I moved here. I always drive brand new car only. All sedans I drove (Toyota and Nissan)spins and cannot handle snow/icy condition too well. Even with less snow this year, still saw many accidents with sedan when I went out during those snow (need to send husband to JFK on snow day). Most of our neighbors have SUV. My immediate neighbor even has 2 SUVs. They traded in 2 year old honda accord (drove by the wife) for a highlander after they moved to our town.

[msulinski]

I was living in Colorado before I moved here. I always drive brand new car only. All sedans I drove (Toyota and Nissan)spins and cannot handle snow/icy condition too well

If you get a decent set of snow tires on your sedan, it should do just fine, and probably better than those heavy AWD SUVs when it comes to turning and braking.

[joe moving]

I second snow tires. They are the best, better than 4x4 or AWD with all seasons. A set of wheels and tires can run around 750$ though, but last for maybe 3-5 years depending on how much you drive.

Generally they take care of the snow very well in suburban NJ. Plows , sanders and salters are out and about. We get enough snow to be well prepared, but it is usually not really that much except for 1 or 2 big storms per year. Anyone think we will get a March storm this year?

[pinkpig]

Thank you all, seems like snow tires would be a great investment.
Will keep that in mind if i do move around that area.

Thanks again.

[jknic]

My old Honda Accord always managed fairly well in the snow (and 1 foot of mud and water), but I never had to drive very far and live in flat South Jersey

[PDD]

Lived in the hills in Somerset County for 30+ years and a 4WD will push you right past those who are SOH with snow tires on two wheel drive.



SOH= stuck on hill


Then you will be ROFLAO

[JEtman66]

I lived in Watchung for 27 years no snow tires never had a problem. I live on a hill and the city has always been out to clean the streets.