Inquiry About Northern Somerset County (Princeton, Middlesex: for sale, condo, low crime)

[Dublin-BornNewYorker]

Today is my first time visiting this forum. It seems to be very informative. I am a 37-year old, who is looking to possibly move to northern Somerset County with my husband. I am a teacher in Rockland County, New York and my husband owns a small business in Cherry Hill, NJ (opposite directions) so we are looking to be close to the major highways. We are working with a realtor who first took us to Branchburg. Although lovely, it is a little "too rural" for us. Her next suggestion was Bridgewater. We drove around Bridgewater and some parts we liked, others not as much. I wanted to know more about Bridgewater or any neighboring towns that someone may know of. We plan to have a family, so school districts are of importance to us. Although Branchburg was "too rural", we are looking for an area with homes that have a decent amount of property, houses not too close together. More importantly, we want an area that has a strong sense of community, a neighborhood feel, a place where our family feels safe. From going online, it seems that Warren, Bernards and Watchung are the best school districts in Somerset. Just not sure if there are homes in these towns in our price range (mid-400s). Any advice will be helpful, as my husband and I will begin seriously house-searching after Christmas. Thank you!

[dianemar]

Consider Montgomery. Great schools, low crime, 1 acre zoning, a few minutes from the culture and entertainment of downtown Princeton, and a beautiful location, and high quality of life.

Montgomery is usually among the top ten places to live in NJ, and had the nation's highest SAT scores in 2005.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by dianemar

Consider Montgomery. Great schools, low crime, 1 acre zoning, a few minutes from the culture and entertainment of downtown Princeton, and a beautiful location, and high quality of life.

Montgomery is usually among the top ten places to live in NJ, and had the nation's highest SAT scores in 2005.

OP wants northern somerset - you can't get further south in somerset cnty than montgomery.

to the OP - try bedminster also. good location, good schools. warren, bernards are all good choices as well - your price point is a little tough though. good luck!

[emanon]

Your $450k budget precludes you from the better areas of Bridgewater which is the Northern most part of Somerset Co. along with Warren which is way out of your price range.
The best sections of Bridgewater are North of Rt.22 along Washington Valley rd. Close to all highways but in the valley between the first and second Watchung mountain range. No traffic noise but close to all shopping and most of the lots are 1-1.5 acres. You might find one of the cottages along WV road for around $450k but most everything in that area is $500k and up.
The very best section and most desirable section of Bridgewater is Martinsville, not the most expensive but that's where most want to live that buy in Bridgewater.

E

[HelgaB]

Among all the towns you mentioned, Bernards Township is probably the best choice. It has excellent schools ("J" school district), low crime rate, and close proximity to highways 78, 287, and 206. A train trip to NYC takes about 90 minutes. If you are looking for a single-family house, you are out of your price range and can only afford a two-bedroom condo or townhouse. Bedminster (“The Hills”) offers similar properties. However, just about 8 miles north from Bedminster, on the very border of Morris and Somerset counties, there is Chester, another top-notch town. It is a very affluent family-oriented community with mostly estate-type properties, but you can still find single family homes on large lots (2-3 acres) that are in your price range. Commuting to NYC by train is about the same as from Bernards Township.

[emanon]

Chester is nice but another 1/2 hr. travel added to the already too long of a commute to Cherry Hill and Rockland Co. NY.

You might consider something in Middlesex Co. like Middlesex or Piscataway. better for commuting and in your price range but down the ladder a little on the school quality.

E

[Bill Keegan]

Originally Posted by Dublin-BornNewYorker

I am a 37-year old, who is looking to possibly move to northern Somerset County with my husband. I am a teacher in Rockland County, New York and my husband owns a small business in Cherry Hill, NJ (opposite directions) so we are looking to be close to the major highways. <SNIP> I wanted to know more about Bridgewater or any neighboring towns that someone may know From going online, it seems that Warren, Bernards and Watchung are the best school districts in Somerset. Just not sure if there are homes in these towns in our price range (mid-400s). Any advice will be helpful, as my husband and I will begin seriously house-searching after Christmas. Thank you!

Helga,
Welcome to NJ.
I live in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater, and work in the Bernardsville office of my company. So I know the area quite well. The schools you name are indeed all among the best in the area, though I would also include Somerset Hills (which is the regional school district for towns including Bernardsville, Peapack, Far Hills & Bedminster), and Bridgewater. Also, Warren & Watchung students all go to the same high school, Watchung Hills Regional. When you say you got info online that shows you those are the best, what is your source? If you haven't already, I'd recommend takling a look at the NJ Department of education School report cards. They offer very objective analysis of all the districts.
Of course, more information would be necessary to see if what you want is here in Bridgewater or any of the other lovely towns nearby. A quick search of Bridgewater alone shows that there are 137 properties currently for sale under $450k.

[susienj]

I have a client who has a contract on a home in Bernardsville on a gorgeous, quiet street. They paid under $400,000 for it.

[Dublin-BornNewYorker]

I appreciate ALL your responses....very informative! I will do some more research. Bill Keegan, thank you for the NJ website. Will go there now. With our limited budget and neither one of us being from the county, it's hard to know what to do. I appreciate everyone's input!

[Latina7]

Originally Posted by Dublin-BornNewYorker

Today is my first time visiting this forum. It seems to be very informative. I am a 37-year old, who is looking to possibly move to northern Somerset County with my husband. I am a teacher in Rockland County, New York and my husband owns a small business in Cherry Hill, NJ (opposite directions) so we are looking to be close to the major highways. We are working with a realtor who first took us to Branchburg. Although lovely, it is a little "too rural" for us. Her next suggestion was Bridgewater. We drove around Bridgewater and some parts we liked, others not as much. I wanted to know more about Bridgewater or any neighboring towns that someone may know of. We plan to have a family, so school districts are of importance to us. Although Branchburg was "too rural", we are looking for an area with homes that have a decent amount of property, houses not too close together. More importantly, we want an area that has a strong sense of community, a neighborhood feel, a place where our family feels safe. From going online, it seems that Warren, Bernards and Watchung are the best school districts in Somerset. Just not sure if there are homes in these towns in our price range (mid-400s). Any advice will be helpful, as my husband and I will begin seriously house-searching after Christmas. Thank you!

Northern Somerset County is a beautiful area. And Bridgewater, has great schools, lots of New Yorkers, and forward-thinking residents, with quaint restaurants in the town. Now, below Highway 22, that is different. Try to stay away from that part, and surrounding areas like: Bound Brook, Franklin Township, and Raritan Township. As an educator and a New Yorker, you need to go where forward-thinking people reside, or you will not like it. Be prepared to pay the highest- property taxes in the NATION! Good-luck.