What is the best and safest New Jersey town to live in for a small family?

[Jaynajrh]

So, I took all of your advice (excluding paterson but thanks for the suggestion though I greatly appreciate your effort!) Anyways, so I found some homes in Edison and Piscataway which I didn't really like. The area is really great from the reviews I've read but I didn't like the homes I found (not what we were looking for really). My co-worker suggested Elizabeth/Elizabethport, Roselle, and Plainfield, what do you think of those? Are they safe and what about the traffic? I REALLY liked Elizabeth (especially the homes) and Plainfield was pretty good too.

So how is the commute from Elizabeth/Elizabethport and Plainfield to Rutgers-New Brunswick and Edison, NJ (my work place).

Again, THANK YOUUU SO MUCHH!!!

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by Jaynajrh

As far as transportation, she will be definitely be transporting by car and she is going to attend the Communication and Arts and Sciences building (Journalism and Economics Double Major hopefully).

Not that it really affects where you will choose to live, but you should be aware that the Rutgers campus is absolutely huge, and it actually encompasses parts of the town of Piscataway, in addition to 3 separate and distinct parts of New Brunswick. Your daughter's various classes could be literally anywhere on the parts of the Rutgers U. campus known as Rutgers College, Douglass College, Cook College, and Livingston college. Like other Rutgers U. students, she will be shuttling around that huge campus very frequently on the free buses that are provided.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by Jaynajrh

My co-worker suggested Elizabeth/Elizabethport, Roselle, and Plainfield, what do you think of those? Are they safe and what about the traffic? I REALLY liked Elizabeth (especially the homes) and Plainfield was pretty good too.

So how is the commute from Elizabeth/Elizabethport and Plainfield to Rutgers-New Brunswick and Edison, NJ (my work place).

Elizabeth/Elizabethport are not at all convenient for somebody commuting to Rutgers.
Then, we have the issue of safety...
With the exception of the Elmora section of Elizabeth, I suggest that you forget about Elizabeth.
Elizabethport is a grimy, congested, industrial section of Elizabeth, and it is neither...safe...clean...nor convenient to New Brunswick.

Roselle has a few decent areas, but--overall--that town has a high crime rate.
Plainfield--with the exception of the area where some wealthy gay people live--is not safe.

My guess is that you were attracted to the places that you mentioned because they are substantially cheaper than towns closer to New Brunswick. Trust me...there are very good reasons why those towns are cheaper, and the crime rate is the major factor in that price differential.

[SonorityGenius]

OP claims she didnt like the homes in Edison/Piscataway? Are you kidding me??
Elizabeth/Roselle Park have MORE run down homes/ugly old ranches than you will ever find elsewhere!

Get real OP if you truly wanted "the best" SUGGESTION for your asking points, it still hands down points to Piscataway/Edison and 2k will get you what you want there just search!!

[spaceman27]

My suggestion is one of the Brunswicks or Piscataway.

[digi21]

No one has suggested Somerset!!! There are lots of options there. In Somerset, your daughter could take backroads to Rutgers and avoid I-287, River Road and Rt 18. It would be one of the easiest commutes to Rutgers. Somerset is also not far from Edison and it is VERY diverse.

[Jaynajrh]

Okay guys, crossing out the suggestions I got from my co-worker. I will search further in the Brunswicks, Edison, Piscataway and Somerset.

Thanks!