Cranford, NJ vs. Westfield, NJ (Elizabeth: neighborhoods, movies, to live in)

[zaza216]

Originally Posted by boochieboy

Our family is thinking of moving to either Cranford or Westfield. We are having a hard time deciding between the 2. We know that Westfield is more expensive and that we can get more for our money in Cranford. But Cranford has a smaller downtown and is not as lively as Westfield and the schools, although good, are not as good as Westfield. Our concern for Westfield is that the people there may be snooty because they all have a lot of money. We have heard that it is a very expensive town. We have 2 young kids and do not want for them to grow up with other children who have everything given to them and do not want to have to always have to "keep up with the Jones". How are the people and families in Westfield?

Do ya homework before moving to either.....I am moving out of Cranford due to inside Cranford politics...and cause every year the easiest way out of their tax budget is to raise taxes.....oh yea...they are building low income housing there also ......good luck!

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by zaza230

Do ya homework before moving to either.....I am moving out of Cranford due to inside Cranford politics...and cause every year the easiest way out of their tax budget is to raise taxes.....oh yea...they are building low income housing there also ......good luck!

Well, this is news to me. Where are they building these "low-income housing"???? I REALLY doubt this....

The only thing they've built recently are these massive office complexes with large parking structures right next to Blockbuster and the train station. I haven't actually checked the buildings out, but they look like they should be in midtown manhattan, not a small town

[kalim2008]

Or are you talking about this very new complex as being "low income housing"?

Cranford Crossing

Cranford Crossing includes a 310 space municipal parking garage, 22,000 SF
of new retail space and 50 luxury rental units.

Images and Rental for Cranford Crossing

From $1,700-$2,600

Nope, that does not look like "low income housing" to me....

[veuvegirl]

I have several friends that just moved to Westfield. They have lived there for a few months; and so far are finding it difficult to "fit in". They love everything about it, and the people they have met so far, but have stated that the people are not really friendly.

The other thing they don't care for is the lack of diversity. They moved from a very diverse town where diversity is celebrated. When Westfield did a Diversity Day at school, it was the kids bringing in pictures of their travels to Europe.

That said, this is only a few opinions. I think this is the type of thing you need to explore yourself. Drive around Westfield, check out the restaurants, go to the local eateries.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

I have several friends that just moved to Westfield. They have lived there for a few months; and so far are finding it difficult to "fit in". They love everything about it, and the people they have met so far, but have stated that the people are not really friendly.

The other thing they don't care for is the lack of diversity. They moved from a very diverse town where diversity is celebrated. When Westfield did a Diversity Day at school, it was the kids bringing in pictures of their travels to Europe.

That said, this is only a few opinions. I think this is the type of thing you need to explore yourself. Drive around Westfield, check out the restaurants, go to the local eateries.

Didn't your friends do their homework prior to moving? You can't move to a lily-white town like Westfield and then complain about the "lack of diversity"- that's like moving the the desert and complaining about the lack of rain.......

[Older&Wiser]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

.....................

The other thing they don't care for is the lack of diversity. They moved from a very diverse town where diversity is celebrated. .......................
.

Please, please explain this "diversity" thing to me. I really do not understand. What do YOU mean by diversity? Do you want a certain number of ethnic cultures on your block, do want a person of eack religon. What do you want? and the big question-------------WHY?

Is this going to make you feel better about yourself or you can show your children how nice we all are or what? Please explain, I really do not get it.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Older&Wiser

Please, please explain this "diversity" thing to me. I really do not understand. What do YOU mean by diversity? Do you want a certain number of ethnic cultures on your block, do want a person of eack religon. What do you want? and the big question-------------WHY?

Is this going to make you feel better about yourself or you can show your children how nice we all are or what? Please explain, I really do not get it.

Perhaps I'm Younger & More Ignorant, but I really do not get it either.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

I have several friends that just moved to Westfield. They have lived there for a few months; and so far are finding it difficult to "fit in". They love everything about it, and the people they have met so far, but have stated that the people are not really friendly.

The other thing they don't care for is the lack of diversity. They moved from a very diverse town where diversity is celebrated. When Westfield did a Diversity Day at school, it was the kids bringing in pictures of their travels to Europe.

That said, this is only a few opinions. I think this is the type of thing you need to explore yourself. Drive around Westfield, check out the restaurants, go to the local eateries.

Both Cranford, Westfield, and similar towns are majority Caucasian, with Asians mixed in (although East Asians tend to like towns like Edison, Livingston, Watchung area, Princeton with larger percentages of East Asians more).

Honestly, they're old time "BORING" towns, but peaceful. If you want more colorful and less "boring" life, you would need to go to the larger towns like North Plainfield, Linden, Elizabeth, etc. In the end, it's a compromise thing, just like everything else in life.

[E-TOWN-R.I.P.]

My move from Elizabeth to Westfield had nothing to do with colorful or boring. It had to do with a need to live in a town where the primary language spoken was still English.

[veuvegirl]

Why would I want diversity? Easy. I want my kids to grow up knowing different cultures and traditions. I don't want my children to be ignorant, I want them to be excepting and understanding of other cultures.

I find it facinating to learn about other people, possibly adopt some of their traditions. How boring it would be to live in a town that everyone has the same, traditions, thoughts and mentality.

I know this is not for everyone, but this is important to our family. As for my friends doing the research before they moved there; apparently not enough.