Quaint town with tree lined streets (Westfield, Metuchen: homes, neighborhoods, schools)

[Robjr29]

Hello All,
I am new to this site and recently moved to central NJ from down south. I currently live in Cream ridge, near Allen Town. I am looking for a suburban quaint town feel with big old trees lining the streets and family friendly with a good school system a bit further north and east. My wife and I like the central NJ area that has access to NYC (bus and/or train) and also within half hour to the beach. Looking for single family homes with modern flair that are in establilshed settings and are priced under a million. The ability to walk to local restaurants and bus/train is a huge plus but don't want them in my backyard.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[BobKovacs]

You'd probably like either Metuchen or Westfield, though both are slightly more than 30 minutes to the beach. I don't know about the "modern flair" part, as that's not all that common in older neighborhoods in central NJ, but you will find great schools, tree-lined streets, walkable downtowns, and some homes priced under $1 million.

[Robjr29]

I appreciate the response.

Thank you!

[CURT]

I used to live in howell. May be a bit more south central nj than you want. its east on i-195 from cream ridge. my old neighborhood (aldrich estates) had mature maple tree lined streets. about 1 mile up the road (aldrich & rt. 9) was a park and ride for busing to nyc. and was about half hour to the beach. There were a few good neighborhoods with tree lined streets in howell.
easy access for me to 1-195, turnpike, gsp & rt. 9.
Its probably a decent haul to nyc though. I only had to drive to matawan. that was about half hour in rush hour back in 91.

[Robjr29]

Thank you for your input.