What's so bad about Bradley Gardens? (Bridgewater) (Manville, Bound Brook: for sale, real estate market)

[deere110]

Hi everyone I'm new here and am looking to buy a home in the Bridgewater area. I've found a few homes in the Bradley Gardens neighborhood that are in my price range (fixer uppers), but I haven't physically been there yet or contacted a realtor. I'm definitely looking for a fixer upper and Bradley Gardens seems to be an older area with decent size lots with homes that need updating. The searches I've done on this site only yielded three posts about Bradley Gardens, but all of them basically said that it was an "undesirable" area of Bridgewater. Is this because most of the homes are older (and valued lower), or is there something else?

A view of the area on Google maps reveals that the neighborhood lies between Route 567 and Route 202 with the Raritan Valley Line running through the northern part. I suppose that noise from the highway/railroad could be an issue, but maybe not so bad on the more central streets. Also, the Raritan River runs along the southern end of the neighborhood-does Bradley Gardens flood?

In short, we're looking for a good starter home that we can roll up our sleeves and make our own. We're not looking for a McMansion, a gated community, or to make a killing in the real estate market. So just what is so bad about Bradley Gardens?

[susienj]

It so happens that some of the least expensive homes in Bridgewater are in Bradley Gardens. You just have to be careful that the house is not in a flood zone, as there are parts of that area that do flood.

[emanon]

Years back,maybe 40 years BG was loaded with little 3 room "cottages" that were sold very cheap. This area attracted those people in the very lower income bracket. Over the years as Bridgewater property grew in value and vacant lots became scarce. Builders started to tear down the little"cottages" (I'm being kind here) and replace them with the small starter ranches. Now those ranches are being replaced by larger bi levels and even some colonials.There are still pockets of "cottages" in BG and it is still the less desirable section of Bridgewater probably because of that and perhaps because portions of BG are prone to flooding.

If you want to live in Bridgewater and place you kids in the schools BG is a good place to purchase that starter home. I would not buy one of the Mcmansions built in BG.

E

[deere110]

Originally Posted by emanon

it is still the less desirable section of Bridgewater probably because of that and perhaps because portions of BG are prone to flooding.

So would a good question to ask the seller be "Did this area flood during Floyd?" That seems to be the high water mark (sorry for the bad pun) for floods in the Bridgewater/Manville/Bound Brook area.

Originally Posted by emanon

If you want to live in Bridgewater and place you kids in the schools BG is a good place to purchase that starter home.

That's what we were thinking. We just wanted to make sure that we weren't missing anything like a toxic waste dump, etc...lol

[Bill Keegan]

Originally Posted by deere110

Hi everyone I'm new here and am looking to buy a home in the Bridgewater area. I've found a few homes in the Bradley Gardens neighborhood that are in my price range (fixer uppers), but I haven't physically been there yet or contacted a realtor. I'm definitely looking for a fixer upper and Bradley Gardens seems to be an older area with decent size lots with homes that need updating. The searches I've done on this site only yielded three posts about Bradley Gardens, but all of them basically said that it was an "undesirable" area of Bridgewater. Is this because most of the homes are older (and valued lower), or is there something else?

<SNIP>
In short, we're looking for a good starter home that we can roll up our sleeves and make our own. We're not looking for a McMansion, a gated community, or to make a killing in the real estate market. So just what is so bad about Bradley Gardens?

Undesirable is a relative term. While Bradley Gardens may be of of the less desirable neighborhoods in Bridgewater, it's still in Bridgewater, making it more desirable than many other places. The perception, or perhaps more accurately, REPUTATION for being less desirable probably comes more from the fact that the houses that are here tend to be older smaller homes on smaller lots. But now, many of these are being added to or replaced with newer larger homes. And you are right about there being opportunities for someone to buy something in need of some repair & upgrading, which can yield you a really nice house for a lower dollar price than in many other places. There are some parts of the area that can flood on occassion, so be careful about that. I'd recommend you come drive around a bit, get a feel for the place. You might want to take a look at the
NJ Department of Education Report card for Bradley Gardens Elementary School. It'll give you a good look at school performance.
As to the road noise, that's no worse in Bradley Gardens than in many other parts of Bridgewater. I say it's definitely worth at least taking a look.

[BRCMCD]

I must agree with the others, though I just looked at some homes for sale in the Bradley Gardens area, and none require flood insurance. Asking about Floyd? Everybody got water during Floyd, a property I used to own in Piscataway, got water the house sat 6 feet above the street, it rained so hard I found leaks i never had before. A better question is does the propery ever flood, ask for a Sellers Disclosure, it is not required in NJ for sellers to fill out this form, but if they're willing to put it in writing, there is a good bet that it doesn't get wet.
Good luck in your home search, you might have perfect timing the fed lowered rates again.

[jersey1970]

Bradley Gardens is not bad. It's in a nice town, good schools and still affordable. Stay away from Walnut Street. A lot of dirtbags. There is a low life slum lord who owns a bunch of houses and rents to white trash scum.

[Midge910]

Originally Posted by deere110

Hi everyone I'm new here and am looking to buy a home in the Bridgewater area. I've found a few homes in the Bradley Gardens neighborhood that are in my price range (fixer uppers), but I haven't physically been there yet or contacted a realtor. I'm definitely looking for a fixer upper and Bradley Gardens seems to be an older area with decent size lots with homes that need updating. The searches I've done on this site only yielded three posts about Bradley Gardens, but all of them basically said that it was an "undesirable" area of Bridgewater. Is this because most of the homes are older (and valued lower), or is there something else?

A view of the area on Google maps reveals that the neighborhood lies between Route 567 and Route 202 with the Raritan Valley Line running through the northern part. I suppose that noise from the highway/railroad could be an issue, but maybe not so bad on the more central streets. Also, the Raritan River runs along the southern end of the neighborhood-does Bradley Gardens flood?

In short, we're looking for a good starter home that we can roll up our sleeves and make our own. We're not looking for a McMansion, a gated community, or to make a killing in the real estate market. So just what is so bad about Bradley Gardens?

Hello BRCMCD. I grew up in Bradley Gardens on Poplar Street. It was not a rich community but the people were hard working and wanted the American dream. I left there after I married and now live in Chicago. As some say the people were of modest means and often came from the NY area looking for a life in the country so hence the cottages. I only have fond memories of this town. I would think by now it has changed a great deal and would be the perfect place for a starter home. The schools were always excellent and from what I read they still are. My last name at that time was Midge Webb should anyone be reading this and know of my family. Give it a try and don't always listen to others who may have a bias. I can be reached at thehoughs123@yahoo.com

[bluemoldy]

Having personally grew up there, I can say it is definately not a bad place to raise a family. Years ago there was a lot of riff-raff, but not so much anymore, they've mostly gone away. And even back then they weren't much of a threat to anyone. The township has invested a lot of money in recent years giving the place a facelift (curbing, schools, parks, etc.). Yes, many more knock-downs to go as the old cottages go by the way-side, but plenty to choose from and the taxes aren't astronomical. Years ago in the 20s or 30s it was a three-season vacation community and in the 1940s people started winterizing them to stay year-round, or so the story goes. Regarding flooding, I spent two decades living there and never saw any homes get flooded out (not talking abut water in the basement, anyone can get that). As far as I am aware, Floyd only flooded the parkland and canal along the Raritan River. The rest of the area along and beyond Old York Road is on higher ground. I never heard of anyone getting flooded out that didn't live along the river (there was at least one house by the auto wreckers that was ruined). There was an auto wrecker that got washed out, but they are right along the river in the bottom land. Most of that space is now state owned green acres preservation. Highway and rail noise was never an issue. Supposedly there was a high rate of cancer along Sycamore Ave. and the residents tried to pin it on Fischer Scientific but I don't think that ever got any traction. Lots of easy walking/hiking along the river/canal and parkland. Take a ride around and see for yourself.

[Jerseyt719]

Bradley Gardens is looked at as less desirable simply because the homes are more affordable. That's it though. There's nothing undesirable about it: traffic, noise, crime, etc. It's a very quiet neighborhood.
The schools are supposed to be good (a little too big for my liking, but that's just my opinion).
As far as flooding - everyone got water during Floyd. Not a big deal.