cute jersey town (Newark, Asbury Park, Collingswood: relocation, real estate, budget)

[*vega*]

I live in Brooklyn, and I love it. But, my partner and I are thinking about kids and I think we need more space and more nature. I'd like a place where a kid could ride a bike outside, and we can't afford those types of places in Bk.
I don't know where to go, as I want a commute into the city in less than an hour, and a small house for under $300,000.

Our ideal city would:
-have old houses
-be racially diverse (we are not all white)
-be progressive (we are lesbians wanting to start a family)
-be pretty and not just rural... have a town/or small city
-maybe be near a body of water????

Am I living in a dreamland? Is this at all possible? Up and coming is OK!
Please send advise!

Thanks

[TwiloMike]

It's not impossible, especially if you can devote some time to searching for the right house. I live in central NJ near Princeton and the area fits many of your desires (charming town, great schools, kids play, commute to NYC is 1 hour, lakes where people take out boats, parks,... sorry, not always under an hour, but you can ride the train which I love doing).

Home prices are the harder thing to match in this area to your budget but with some searching it may be possible. Nearby towns may have something in your budget (Lawrenceville, Plainsboro, West Windsor... maybe even a bit north like Kendall Park, South Brunswick, Dayton). With so many people desperate to sell you may very well find bargains. Central NJ is quite diverse and very open minded from what I've observed so I don't foresee anyone even doing a double take as you and your partner are out and about.

Hope this helps.

[billb7581]

Collingswood NJ

[wileynj]

I would try the Butler Area off of Rt 23 North of Rt. 80 - some good areas and some bad so I would say get a realtor familiar with that area.

[findinghope]

yes maybe up toward butler and going into sussex county. there are lakes, it is very pretty, you get more for the money

[emanon]

I would take a look at Dunellen NJ. Certainly plenty of older homes in your price range and is becoming a diverse town. It is certainly not rural but it is centrally located and does have the train to Newark/NYC

Dunellen, New Jersey (NJ) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

[wileynj]

Another area I would look at is Boonton Town..very old, very cute...alot of small shops & restaurants - very diverse neighborhood as well. Both Butler and Boonton Town are in Morris Co.

[shannybannany]

Hi,
Those areas are good choices but as far as diverse...hmmm, I don't know.

You may want to try Ocean Grove and/ or Asbury Park. Both have a strong Gay community. I think your commute would be more like an hour + from the Asbury Park train station to Penn Station though.

The Gay community have been leaders in the revitilization of both towns.

Good luck!

Shanny

[wileynj]

One great thing about NJ...you don't have to move into a gay community to feel accepted. NJ has come a long way. I think Asbury and Ocean Grove may be a bit out of her price range. No matter where you decide to live, you'll find most NJians to be very accepting : )

[shannybannany]

I'm glad to hear that wiley. It certainly wasn't that way when I moved out 12 years ago. But...then again, I moved to San Francisco so anything compared to that wouldn't have stacked up.

Originally Posted by wileynj

One great thing about NJ...you don't have to move into a gay community to feel accepted. NJ has come a long way. I think Asbury and Ocean Grove may be a bit out of her price range. No matter where you decide to live, you'll find most NJians to be very accepting : )