Empty Nester - looking in NJ approx 60mi radius from NYC (Hackettstown: for sale, homes)

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by HalfFull

Check out Lambertville. It's on the outer range of your range to NYC, but it has a nice rural feel with a decent little downtown. It's also far enough away from train lines etc that would make it a city-commuter location which will keep get you more for your money in your budget.

Good choice - I'd also look at High Bridge.

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by jaymoney

Not quite that bad, but if i was to live in that area I'd pick Philipsburg, on the NJ side of the river. Rural living with a small city nearby for civilization and New York is about 70 minutes away, depending on how close you are to 78.

I'm speaking of Eaton proper, and frankly P'burg proper is just as bad. Areas around P'burg, such as Alpha, Harmony, Lopatcong and Stewartsville, are decent rural communities.

[Sugashane]

I would check out monroe county in the poconos.Its got route 80 running through it lots of stuff to do and going tinyc would be pretty easy.I live in stroudsburg, pa. but am from Nj and commute to Nj for work.Its really a much more happening place than the areas I lived in Nj and cost of living is much lower than Nj.

[Marc Paolella]

Originally Posted by jonnyD14

Thanks for the list - and everyone's input so far. Here's some things that are important:
1) 60 +/- miles from NYC (we drive in, no trains). Kept a car in the City, too, all those years.
2) small piece of land - something to give a little sense of privacy, although I know that can be a function of strategically placed landscaping. I'm not sure what I mean by small: 1/4 acre, 1/2 acre? Since I've never owned my own home before - I spent 30 years in Manhattan right after college - I've never really paid attention to lot sizes. Only this past four years when I moved back into my Mother's house to help her have I realized all that goes into home maintenance (thanks Dad, all those years). I have a bad back so I'll shovel snow as long as I can (I don't really mind it) but it will have to be paid for eventually.
3) Charm is good (the house and the town), part and parcel to my idea of 'oasis'.
4) My wife and I like good restaurants and occasional culinary pizazz; but solidly simple fare is also welcome (I have worked for many years in restaurants, and still do).
5) We are in our early 50's. I wouldn't mind a 40ish+ demographic; not kids partying all the time or too many young families (we still love the energy of small kids but I don't want to be immersed in toddlers everywhere). I'm not a fan of retirement villages - too many rules and often an entropic vibe. I have some bohemian blood (thanks, Mom) so I appreciate musicians (I play) and artists, theater and audio/visual people (I worked in the film industry in the 80's). I guess a nice mélange of folks would be good.

I'm looking to buy. Quaint. 2-3 bedrooms. 2 baths. We have 2 cars so a driveway is good (not too long, remember the bad back and snow shoveling?) Two older, college-age kids will (hopefully) not be living with us in the long term - just visiting. We have 2 indoor cats. Lower taxes would be preferred - I'm not wealthy. Budget is tricky. I don't have a huge income. Will be purchasing with the proceeds of the sale of a couple of estate houses, mostly in cash. I'm thinking $300-$400K, preferably the lower end. Did I mention the not-wealthy part? The idea is to (hopefully) buy the house outright. That way there would be no mortgage and taxes would be the main property-related expenditure besides maintenance.

I am familiar with suburban life having spent time growing up in White Meadow Lake, East Hanover, Toms River and Fair Haven, NJ (not to mention California and Texas). I have also experienced, as mentioned above, 30 years smack dab in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan (don't miss it). Time to return to blue skies (with stars at night), quiet (not the white noise of background traffic and the constant wail of sirens), the ability to take a walk if I'd like without someone trying to cadge a coin or thrust a flyer in my face. I'd like to be able to relax on a chaise-lounge in my back yard, reading a book or plucking & howling with my guitar (Neil Young, bluegrass) or just catching a few rays. I have to tell you, if my phone disappeared I wouldn't miss it. Something to be said for hearing your own heartbeat and the rustle of the wind in your own back yard!

Trying to paint a picture here of my 'oasis'. Hope this helps.

Green Twp in Sussex County. Lovely, bucolic, country people but not rednecks, quiet and serene, near 80 for travel to NYC, 10-15 minute drive to Newton for village needs. Worth a look.

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by Marc Paolella

Green Twp in Sussex County. Lovely, bucolic, country people but not rednecks, quiet and serene, near 80 for travel to NYC, 10-15 minute drive to Newton for village needs. Worth a look.

Green Twp. is lovely. There are plenty of rednecks there though.

[AnthonyB]

You have lots of options in Hunterdon County - High Bridge, Clinton, Whitehouse Station, Hampton, Frenchtown and Flemington is a solid sized older town with lots of rural suburbs.

In Somerset County you could look at Somerville or the Griggstown portion of Franklin Township which is in the middle of parkland and yet 15 minutes away from Princeton and New Brunswick for restaurants and nightlife.

They are all affordable in your price range.

FYI - .25 / .5 acre isn't that big in these areas but beware that an acre and above is a lot of work.

[46H]

Stay below 1/3 acre if possible. More land equals more taxes and more to maintain. Take a look at Pompton Plains/Pequannock area in NJ. It is closer to NYC (20 miles west) than some of the other suggestions. You will find a community and homes that fit your needs and you won't be so far out.

[jonnyD14]

Thanks everyone for your input so far! Didn't expect such a response. I'll need to do some internet research and then hit the highway. Thanks again.

[Suzsilk]

Trying to paint a picture here of my 'oasis'. Hope this helps.[/quote]


Suzsilk:

Warren County is going to give you that country feel, reasonable home prices yet enough development that you can shop close to home. I live in Stewartsville, which is a neighboring town of Phillpsburg. I've lived in this general area for close to 30 years. Before that, I lived in Union, NJ. Taxes are more reasonable than they are in most Central NJ, counties. Route 78 will get you to NYC, you just have to be careful about when you leave. 78 gets very busy at rush hour.

Eason, PA is about 3 miles away and we love how this city is changing. There are so many great restaurants cropping up here and there with music and great food. (Sette Luna, Valenca, Mesa, Bella Via, Porter's Pub, Ocean, Maxim's...to name a few). Easton has one of the oldest Farmer's Markets in the country that meets in the center every Saturday morning--each week with a theme. They also have special events on a regular basis. The Delaware River is right next door with all the recreational activities associated: canoeing, tubing, swimming kayaking. Stewartsville is horse country, ballooning, farm stands, classic car events just to name a few that come to mind. I've lived here, as I said, for a while and I'm still discovering wineries, small airport restaurants, Golf Courses and more all the time. Hunterdon County and Bucks County are short drives away with all they have to offer. I think you should take a look. You'd be happily surprised at the value you get out here when it comes to prices.

[sfosyd]

I'd look at Beacon, NY....it seems to tick all your boxes and it is so nice to be able to get to the city without dealing with the tunnels and tools that are endemic to New Jersey.