Relo to NJ - Thinking of Annandale (Edison, Somerset: real estate, home)

[blueace]

Hello,

I am relocating to NJ and am considering the Clinto/Annandale area. I am married (she is a home maker) and we have 3 younger children. I will commute to Edison or the airport. We are considering the Clinton/Annandale area because it appears to be family oriented, more suburb than big city and has good schools. I am concerned about two things: the commute for myself and the availability of activities for my wife and children. What do the people do for social, recreational and daily life in this area? Will we be moving to a town where everyone will be more interested in their own lives vs the community? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill Keegan]

Ace,

First, welcome to NJ.
The Clinton/Annandale area is pretty much what you see so far. Nice neighborhoods, decent schools, fairly suburban. And you are right, that commute is going to be a tough one. I think most of the online mapping sites will say that it's about 30 -45 minutes each way, but count on it being almost double if you travel anywhere near the rush hours. There are also towns a little further east that will make the commute a little easier, and are really nice as well, with all those same features, and some would say better in certain instances. Towns like Readington there in Hunterdon county, and Bridgewater just next door in Somerset County. (A little bit of self promotion follows as I am in fact a real estate agent in the area. You can go to my web site, billkeegan.com - HOME, to get a link to many of these towns web sites and some of the resources & recreations available within them. THe site is currently being reworked, so it's not as polished as I like it to be, but much of the info is there and accessable.) As for stuff for your wife & kids to do, don't fret. These towns are suburban, not really rural. They've got all the social & recreational opportunities you would expect in any suburban area. Most towns have organized sports activities for the kids, some within the schools, and others through the town, seperate from the schools. Where you concerned about any activity or group in particular?

[Calico696]

Annandale is nice. It is suburban enough to be near major highways and shopping, but also close enough to enjoy the countryside of both Warren and Hunterdon Counties. I see no reason why you would not be happy there.

[emanon]

You are going to be commuting on I 78 from Clinton to Edison, which during non working hours will take you about 30 Min., during commuter hours 1 hour on a clear day and in bad weather or in case of an accident 1.5 -2 hrs.
Cliinton and Annandale are beautiful areas and if you were working locally it would be a pefect place to live. If you value your time I would look closer to Edison.
Much more community activities in Bridgewater, Warren, Branchburg but prices in those areas can be 200K more than the same home in Clinton, Annandale.

E