Southern NJ (Asbury Park, Princeton, Burlington: new house, school districts, college)

[billb7581]

Moorestown, Medford, Haddonfield? You have to be kidding me. The country club set isn't exactly liberal.

Not to mention none are close to the coast.

Diversity = a Mexican guy cutting your lawn.


Doesn't anyone read what people post around here?

[fischfan13]

The original post...

Originally Posted by joe123

We are long time residents of Towson, MD just north of Baltimore. We have always wanted to live somewhat near the coast but have some requirements before we pull up roots... Good schools (we have a 1 yr. old ), diversity, liberal (just not too backwards!) not terribly expensive, and SAFE.

Any leads on some towns we could check out on some weekend trips this spring!!! Thanks!!!

The person is looking to live near the coast...and that is why I recommended parts of Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

[joe123]

This is all very helpful (if not a little overwhelming). We have a little girl from Guatemala so diversity is very important. Our salaries are pretty rotten and a house at about 200K is our limit. We want a safe place with good schools...nice to raise a family...and close to the ocean (and flatwater...)if possible....

Thanks. We will start traveling to check some places out.

Keep the suggestions coming!!!

[Diane Giam]

You won't find much in NJ at the $200,000 limit on the shore. There are some in Toms River. You may find something in Little Egg Harbor, or closer to Atlantic city.

Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Real Estate Listings and Little Egg Harbor, NJ Single Family Home for Sale - Realtor.com

As far as Diverse, I don't know. I doubt if she would have a problem. I was looking at decent school districts with lower cost housing.

Diane G

[nic529]

You could also try Barnegat, Lacey, Lanoka Harbor. 200K will be hard to find in NJ. You could probably find something listed in Barnegat - or as another poster suggested Little Egg Harbor - listed for around 250K and then settle on 225K. You may have to rent for a while - is that feasible for you? i think the only other option is going to be to give up living near the coast. Moving more inland you can find cheaper housing. Your daughter being Guatamalan is not going to be a problem. Most of NJ is diverse and very accepting of differences.

As you are looking around - you will find houses in your price range in Lakewood - you don't want to go there.....trust me. What I would suggest is - If you find a lot of houses in your price range - it may not be a town you want to be in. Just make sure you do a lot of research on the area. Diane posted a link to realtor.com with many houses in your range - I'm not extremely familiar the area or schools, but I have to say - I've never heard anything bad. So that may be the right place for you! To get into a decent area at your price range your probably going to be looking at a 2 or 3 bdrm with 1 bath. Small yard. A good starter home. But probably something that needs some work. BTW - that's exactly how we started! Good luck!

[hollygolightly]

Have a look at Cape May County. Cape May itself can be pricey, but other small neighboring towns are reasonable, and you're just a 15-20 min. drive from Wildwood beaches.

[joe123]

Thanks. We are getting a lot of ideas. A good 1/2 hour in from the coast would be fine. If we are near some canoeing waters a bit inland from the coast that's even better! Still same primary criteria... Good schools, liberal, diverse, 200K is about our house price, good place to raise a child, safe...

Any other ideas would be appreciated. SOme of the ideas above helped but some as we looked them up were 97% white...mostly republican...etc.

[nic529]

Originally Posted by joe123

Any other ideas would be appreciated. SOme of the ideas above helped but some as we looked them up were 97% white...mostly republican...etc.

Are you saying thats what you want or what you don't want?

[DITC]

Originally Posted by billb7581

Moorestown, Medford, Haddonfield? You have to be kidding me. The country club set isn't exactly liberal.

Not to mention none are close to the coast.

Diversity = a Mexican guy cutting your lawn.


Doesn't anyone read what people post around here?

Hahaha, I second this. Haddonfield and Medford might be the whitest, most conservative suburban towns in New Jersey. These towns are so white and southern like. They think the local blond haired guy who is 25% EYE-TALIAN and eats ragu on his spaghetti every night is diversity.

This guy is coming from MD. Philly suburbs would be a better fit, unless his job is in Ocean, Mercer, or Monmouth, or he likes the transplanted NY crowd.

Joe, liberal, diverse, non-mcmansion areas and not called Camden are few in South Jersey. My recommendation is a nice section of Collingswood. Lots of activity, very liberal, also a walking town. From what I hear one of the elementary schools is pretty good. Its very diverse and dirt cheap. Cooper River is right there for canoeing. You can get to Margate in about an hour. Haddon Heights is nice too, also has a old main street town type feel. Westmont also. Cherry Hill (north of rt 70) is good but more suburban. Avoid Medford, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Marlton, Mt Laurel, Voorhees and anything below 42/AC expressway (all conservative areas with overpriced McMansion development).

[joe123]

Thanks for the honest answer. We are definately used to diversity..lots of Latino's around us now...this would be best for us...

We wanted to see if there was a town within a haf an hour or so from the beaches where we could find this along with good schools...safe...affordable....liberal. So the Philly suburbs are are best (and only) bet..... We tried looking at Norfolk, VA at one time but the crime was terrible..as well as the schools... We are trying to stay in the Mid-Atlantic area...