Nice areas in Jersey? (Wayne, Montclair: best towns, how much, townhome)

[graffiti]

Where are the middle class areas in Jersey? Race is not an issue. I'll be attending college in New Jersey in the upcoming 2008 school year and I'm planning on moving there after I graduate.

[findinghope]

where will you be going to school? that might help narrow your choices

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by graffiti

Where are the middle class areas in Jersey? Race is not an issue. I'll be attending college in New Jersey in the upcoming 2008 school year and I'm planning on moving there after I graduate.

Your best bet would be to travel around the state while you're in college and see what you like. Deciding where to live is (or should be, imo) based on subjective factors as much as objective facts. Things like jobs, commutes, etc. might determine the general area, but it should ultimately be based on what appeals to you--everything from what activities you're interested in to the "feel" of the area--the aesthetic appeal to you.

If you hike, pick up a New Jersey hiking book and do a different hike every weekend. New Jersey (Best Hikes with Children) by Arline Zatz is great (and no, you do not need to have children to find it useful--and it's especially good if you're a relatively inexperienced hiker), or you could get 50 Hikes in New Jersey by Bruce Scofield, which is good too. If you're more into cultural stuff, pick up something like New Jersey: A Guide to the State by Barbara Westergaard (which also has the infamous "New Jersey Turnpike Tour"), and visit a different town/area each weekend (it lists most populated areas in New Jersey alphabetically, tells you something about the attractions in each place, the history, the culture, etc.).

Of course, the hiking books are going to tend to keep you away from densely populated urban areas, so the Westergaard book in conjunction with them is a good way to get to know the state. There is also plenty of great hiking (and great places to live) in New York, and the areas of Connecticut and Pennsylvania close to New York City and New Jersey.

Good luck!

[rfk1127]

Middle class towns? It's hard to find in Jersey unless you live in a crap town. Some of the best towns (albeit EXPENSIVE) are Alpine, NJ, Tenafly, NJ, Closer, NJ in Bergen and Bedminster, Bernardsville, basking ridge, Far Hills, Peapack gladstone (old money, horse country, very scenic) YOu can find a good/inexpesnive/safe/beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath 300k townhome in bedminster and the taxes are the lowest in the state.**and have a roommate to help defer costs..

[cyntmac]

Where are the areas?
If anyone really needs answers like that here do a little favor and be specific. NJ is not that small and it is impossible to answer with so little info. Post your income level and desired work location(if you already know) or school location.
Middle class is defined differently these days especially by people coming from different areas of the U.S. That term is not telling us much these days. If it means affordable then it comes down to how much you have to spend.

[passdoubt]

Most of New Jersey is middle class. The urban cores are generally poor, and there are a lot of wealthy little towns here and there (specifically in places like Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris Counties), but almost anywhere else would fit the bill as a "middle class area."

[graffiti]

I'll be going to Montclair SU. I don't really have a price range yet, but preferably something under 200 thousand. I'm coming from suburb of Detroit...

[brookdaleresident]

What are you trying to buy? I don't think there's anything in the area under 200k; certainly not in Montclair. Maybe a converted apt in a neighboring town.

[AnesthesiaMD]

I agree. $200,000 would get you into a neighboring town called Orange, but he neighborhood is pretty dicey. In fact 200K will not get you into a "middle class" area in Essex County unless you want a 1 bedroom apt. Wayne, while not my favorite town, has some reasonably safe neighborhoods that might have small houses in your price range. It's not that far from Montclair either.

[findinghope]

you wont find much under 200k in montclair. or in the neighboring "safe" towns. but you never know....look into west orange, little falls, wayne, clifton (on the border of monclair)
montclair is a great town--you will wish you could live right there. and you may be able to after you graduate!