Boonton NJ (Verona, Cedar Grove, Lincoln Park: for sale, crime, buying a house)

[ndecost]

I understand that there is a difference between Boonton Town and Boonton Township. I understand that Boonton Township has a little more money, nicer homes, more rural, and the kids go to Mountain Lakes HS, which is a big plus.

However, my husband and I found an affordable home for us in Boonton Town near Wootton Street and William St in the Hills section that suits us well. Can anyone tell me what they like, don't like, or hear about this town or area? We are vaguely familiar. I am concerned with the school district since I will someday have kids in the elementary schools (we plan to move in 7-8 years). I know that the future homebuyer of my home will also be concerned with school district.

What are the lower income or less nice or less desirable sections of Boonton that I should be aware of? How is the section/corner of William St and Wootton St./Ave?

Thanks. I appreciate responses.

[ndecost]

I am clarifying my above post and question.

When I wrote that I am concerned with the school districts, I meant that I am concerned only in the sense that I want to make sure they are okay for the resale and future of the house we are looking to purchase. I do not know if the Boonton schools are good/bad/okay so any opinions on that would be appreciated. All I know, is that Lincoln Park kids go to Boonton High but that doesn't mean much to me.

I am aware that Boonton Township is nicer, however, we cannot afford a home over $425,000 and we found a very nice and comfortable home in Boonton Town that we think may be nice.

From reading past posts, it appears that some people on here do not seem to like Boonton Town and I am wondering why.

(FYI We are also considering towns like Verona, Cedar Grove, and the Caldwells, but the home we have found in Boonton is the nicest of the homes we've seen in these other towns).

[Obrero]

I think the schools will hurt your resale bigtime. Schools seem to be declining in Boonton, in fact I personally think the whole town is on a downswing. The area you are talking about is fine - typical of hill section. There are some houses for sale in the Cooks Pond area (close to the Denville boarder) of Boonton Township starting at $340k. I'm not sure if they are any good but resale will be tons better.

[ndecost]

Thank you for writing and for your opinion.

Would you mind clarifying your post? What makes you think the town of Boonton and the schools are on a downswing? Is there something going on? Anything more you can tell me.

We are literally days away from making an offer on this house that we found there and this website is the first place where I've heard/read anything bad about Boonton. (Its making me very nervous now).

I checked these books that Rutgers put out in 2005 where it rates towns, schools, crime, demographics, etc. and Boonton Town looks okay and comparable to Verona in the Rutgers book.

Also, thanks for pointing out the houses for sale near Cooks Pond. I saw a couple houses there and about 8 in total between Boonton Town and Township. This house that we have found is by far the nicest. The other homes are not anything close to what we want.

I really appreciate any opinions. Thank you.

[Obrero]

Well, I hate to put you off buying a house you love. My "evidence" is purely anecdotal. I drive a lot around Boonton around 5:30am - up Boonton Ave and across Wootton to get to Dunkin. I see plenty of unsavory characters still up from the night before wandering around. It's getting worse IMHO. I see more people who look like they are up to no good. Again, this is just a personal feeling. I would advise you to sit on Main Street and watch the High school kids come out. Let me know if you would like your kids to go to school with them. I few years ago, it wasn’t this way. My friend is a teacher in Boonton and said there is not a chance in *ell she would send her daughter there. Really - that was your question - will the Boonton schools hurt us for resale...and the answer, sadly, is a resounding yes.

[ndecost]

Thanks for posting again. This is the first I've heard about Boonton Town. I've driven around the town but only on Saturday afternoons and evenings. I noticed the restaurants on Main St were busy last Saturday night so I thought that was a good sign.

I have not noticed any bad people or anyone walking around who looked like they were up to no good. Maybe I wasn't in the right spot?

This is a very tough call for me. We really love this house that we found. We don't care so much about the high school since our kids won't be going there. BUT, we only plan on spending 5-7 years here and would hate to have the town decline and lose money in our property.

Does anyone else have similar opinions of Boonton Town? What's happening to the town?

[UrbanQuest]

I believe Lincoln Park kids used to use boonton high school. I guess the high school must be smaller now. Boonton town might as well merge with Boonton twp/Mount lakes now.

[ndecost]

I think Lincoln Park kids still go to Boonton Town's High School. Has this changed?

[Obrero]

Originally Posted by ndecost

I think Lincoln Park kids still go to Boonton Town's High School. Has this changed?

Lincoln Park kids still go to the high school, even though both districts sought separation in 2006 - it was not allowed by the board of ed.

http://www.nj.gov/education/legal/co...apr/147-06.pdf

[ndecost]

Thanks for clarifying. I thought LP kids still went to Boonton HS.

In your opinion, are the shady characters you see early in the morning from the federal housing project that is in town? (I just learned of this).

Is there an increase in crime in the town?

Are these people just wandering around town? Homeless? Or just looking for trouble?

Thanks.