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Relocating from the West Coast to the Morristown area. We've researched a great deal and found that Montville, Pequannock, East Hanover and Wayne meet our needs, though they are very different.
We are encountering a tremendous amount of bias against these areas. But understanding why is proving challenging, just quick comments like I wouldn't want my relatives to live there and the FLOODING. I understand and think I've quantified the flooding issue. It seems there is something else, something unspoken. Hoping someone can color in why these places are getting such a bad rap.
We are being treated as ridiculous for saying places like Madison, Chester and Basking Ridge aren't for us. But they aren't. Lovely, and we'll probably visit on the weekends some time, but living there isn't what we want.
Please shed some light on this perceived bias and what it is like to live in these places!
Those areas are all very nice. Other than flooding in specific areas I can't understand why someone is against them. I lived in Hanover (Whippany) which is near East Hanover and have never heard negativity before. AFA Madison and Chester and Basking Ridge, they are probably more expensive, so unless it is your realtor (more $$$ house), I'm clueless as to why someone is giving you that advice.
Relocating from the West Coast to the Morristown area. We've researched a great deal and found that Montville, Pequannock, East Hanover and Wayne meet our needs, though they are very different.
We are encountering a tremendous amount of bias against these areas. But understanding why is proving challenging, just quick comments like I wouldn't want my relatives to live there and the FLOODING. I understand and think I've quantified the flooding issue. It seems there is something else, something unspoken. Hoping someone can color in why these places are getting such a bad rap.
We are being treated as ridiculous for saying places like Madison, Chester and Basking Ridge aren't for us. But they aren't. Lovely, and we'll probably visit on the weekends some time, but living there isn't what we want.
Please shed some light on this perceived bias and what it is like to live in these places!
I may be able to shed a little light on why some people have negative feelings about some of those areas. Firstly, the main concern is that there are significant severe frequent flooding issues in several of the towns. Do not take this flooding lightly. Flood insurance is costly, and even if the home you live in does not flood, you will pay (lots) more in property taxes as your municipality must spend quite a bit of money on municipal services dealing with these frequent severe floods. Although your home may not be underwater, you may still be within a mandatory evacuation area, or at the very least, access to and from your home will affected, so being displaced on a regular basis would be the norm. Some homes that remain dry during floods are not able to be accesses as all roads leading into the area are impassible. (this includes access by emergency vehicles)
As far as negatives regarding Montville specifically, two things come to mind. One is that it is home to several cast members from the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Pretty silly reason, but yes there are those who judge an entire area based on a "reality" show. The second reason, and IMHO a more salient one is that there is a section of Montville that is pretty seedy. I'd avoid the Pine Brook area of the town, due to parts that are seedy, as well as some flooding issues in that section of town. Several of the "motels" on rte 46 are in fact SRO's, there have also been prostitution busts at those motels as well. There is also a couple of "Massage Parlors" in Pine Brook, with at least one that was busted for providing, um, "off the menu" services. I am not sure if it is in Pine Brook or just over the border into Fairfield, but there are a couple of adult book/video/novelty stores on 46 as well. SRO's, prostitution busts, massage parlors, "adult" stores interspersed with industrial bldgs - I'd call that type of area seedy. When you get to the central and northern parts of the township it is wonderful. Let me be perfectly clear, I am not knocking the municipality as a whole at all, I just recommend avoiding the lower Pine Brook, rte 46 section.
Thanks for the quick reply. The feedback is coming from some old college friends and yes, the realtor. My friends can be a bit snobby. I'm surprised these towns aren't more popular given major freeway access, proximity and prices. We also heard that Wayne has really bad crime and a heroine problem, so we pulled crime statistics and actually, it seems pequannock's crime is the worst of the bunch. That surprised me. Thoughts?
Since you both are familiar, which one of these towns is your favorite and why? Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the quick reply. The feedback is coming from some old college friends and yes, the realtor. My friends can be a bit snobby. I'm surprised these towns aren't more popular given major freeway access, proximity and prices. We also heard that Wayne has really bad crime and a heroine problem, so we pulled crime statistics and actually, it seems pequannock's crime is the worst of the bunch. That surprised me. Thoughts?
Since you both are familiar, which one of these towns is your favorite and why? Thanks for the help!
The highway access out there was not always as good as it is today. Route 287 is relatively new. There is also minimal train access and NYC commuting is a bit of stretch which keeps prices down.
I wouldn't worry about crime in any of the towns mentioned. I don't know if there is a heroin problem specifically in Wayne, but its been a problem in the whole area lately, unfortunately.
I am guessing you are looking to buy on the high end. I would go with Montville or East Hanover if you are. Morris County property taxes are much better
GiantRutgersFan brings up an interesting point. If you are looking at homes on the higher end of the spectrum, remember the old adage, by the worst home on the best block. If you are looking to purchase a home in a town where the median home price is ~500k, and you're looking at homes valued at 1+M, you will be looking at difficulties in selling it at a future point down the road. People purchasing higher end homes tend to want to be in communities where the majority of the homes are similarly priced. I know there are quite a few perfectly wonderful high end homes, (not in flood areas, or have other strikes against them) that have been sitting on the market for well over a year.
Relocating from the West Coast to the Morristown area. We've researched a great deal and found that Montville, Pequannock, East Hanover and Wayne meet our needs, though they are very different.
We are encountering a tremendous amount of bias against these areas. But understanding why is proving challenging, just quick comments like I wouldn't want my relatives to live there and the FLOODING. I understand and think I've quantified the flooding issue. It seems there is something else, something unspoken. Hoping someone can color in why these places are getting such a bad rap.
We are being treated as ridiculous for saying places like Madison, Chester and Basking Ridge aren't for us. But they aren't. Lovely, and we'll probably visit on the weekends some time, but living there isn't what we want.
Please shed some light on this perceived bias and what it is like to live in these places!
There is no bias, what you are hearing is nonsense, and I would deal with realities instead of vague ghosts that are not indicative of any reality. Pequannock away from flood zones is desirable and sought after, and so is Montville, East Hanover, and Wayne.
I prefer to be discrete, but "bias" against the towns you are referring to is unmitigated nonsense. Don't ask college friends about areas. All you'll get is dopey hearsay he said she said. Go and visit and talk to residents in neighborhoods you can afford and plan to consider buying in. You are doing yourself a disservice in the way you are gathering information because basically you are not getting any.
There is no bias, what you are hearing is nonsense, and I would deal with realities instead of vague ghosts that are not indicative of any reality. Pequannock away from flood zones is desirable and sought after, and so is Montville, East Hanover, and Wayne.
I prefer to be discrete, but "bias" against the towns you are referring to is unmitigated nonsense.
On the FEMA map linked to above you can also spot the areas within Montville and E. Hanover that are designated flood zones. Here is a link for the FEMA map for Passaic Co, to check areas of Wayne. http://www.ready.nj.gov/pdf/mitigati...xi_passaic.pdf
On the FEMA map linked to above you can also spot the areas within Montville and E. Hanover that are designated flood zones. Here is a link for the FEMA map for Passaic Co, to check areas of Wayne. http://www.ready.nj.gov/pdf/mitigati...xi_passaic.pdf
I said Pequannock "away from flood zones". Not sure you read that correctly. For those neighborhoods away from the flood areas, the town is highly desirable. I know this from endless requests from buyers who can't find something in Pequannock in their price range and would really love to live there due to the excellent schools and convenient access to shopping, highways, and employment.
Pequannock only has 5.5 months of inventory right now, and the median home sale price in the last 12 months is $395,000, up from $375,000 for the prior 12 months. Desirable. Good market. Buyers want Pequannock.
Flood zones, bad. Neighborhoods away from flood zones, good. Very good. Same for Montville, same for Wayne.
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