Bikeable/Walkable/Parks/Downtown (New Brunswick, Fort Lee: travel, house, low crime)

[LHBR702]

Do you live in a place where your car is not needed to get EVERYWHERE? Where you could take a walk to get a cup of coffee or have a bite to eat or go to a local bar or a movie, or a park, or to do some shopping, etc. A place with ambiance, close to the city, (either NYC or Philly) but just far enough out of it to be fairly quiet and reasonably safe if you want to take your dog out for a walk in the early evening. We have two cars, and I'm not opposed to driving some of the time, but I'd love to live in a place where your car is not a definite necessity each time you walk out your front door. Any Suggestions?

[abejita]

No one has responded to this? There must be at least one walkable town somewhere! Come on!

[christina0001]

Princeton Boro. is the only place that comes to my mind.

[LHBR702]

I'm really surprised at that being from South Jersey. I have never lived up North, but just got the impression that there were more "walkable" places. Hmmm...

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Do you live in a place where your car is not needed to get EVERYWHERE? Where you could take a walk to get a cup of coffee or have a bite to eat or go to a local bar or a movie, or a park, or to do some shopping, etc. A place with ambiance, close to the city, (either NYC or Philly) but just far enough out of it to be fairly quiet and reasonably safe if you want to take your dog out for a walk in the early evening. We have two cars, and I'm not opposed to driving some of the time, but I'd love to live in a place where your car is not a definite necessity each time you walk out your front door. Any Suggestions?

I did answer but my post is gone. I would say Red Bank, Cliffside Park, Pal Park, Fort Lee all fit the bill

[Roger Davis]

You can walk/bike from New Brunswick to Princeton when you use the Delaware and Raritan canal state park. 30+ miles on a twin path and you never have to worry about cars (not allowed).

http://www.dandrcanal.com/park_index.html

[JBrown]

Hopewell and Pennington fit your description to a tee. From central downtown there's a 1 1/2 block walk to a excellent supermarket, there's an ice parlor, coffee shops, pizza, nick naks ,general store ,hardware store,bakery etc etc etc. Some of the best school systems in the state. Homes tend to be above average in cost as are the taxes but anyone can walk the streets without fear any time of the day or night. It's the kind of place where your kids can walk down to the "sweet" shop bythemselves and you don't have to worry about them. There is a big bicycling community (myself included) due to the many many quite less traveled country roads.
On the other hand I-95 is a 10 minute drive away.

good luck

[LHBR702]

Thanks for your posts. I will check out the towns you all mentioned.

[JenInJersey]

Haddonfield, NJ & Collingswood, NJ both have nice main street areas and are in the suburbs so there are plenty of parks, places to ride your bike, etc. Plus you can hop on the train and be in Philly in 10-15 minutes.

[Sters]

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Do you live in a place where your car is not needed to get EVERYWHERE? Where you could take a walk to get a cup of coffee or have a bite to eat or go to a local bar or a movie, or a park, or to do some shopping, etc. A place with ambiance, close to the city, (either NYC or Philly) but just far enough out of it to be fairly quiet and reasonably safe if you want to take your dog out for a walk in the early evening. We have two cars, and I'm not opposed to driving some of the time, but I'd love to live in a place where your car is not a definite necessity each time you walk out your front door. Any Suggestions?

Yes , as a matter of fact, I do! Haddonfiled.

The Three Beans Coffee house on Haddon Avenue even permits dogs to hang out with their owners, a comfortable local hang out with excellent coffee (the anti-Starbucks, although we have one of those too). No bars, though, as Haddonfiled is a dry town, but there's a PJ's right on the border into Haddon Twp. The PATCO station is within walking distance of much of the town, so hopping the train to Philly is easy and convenient. We have a center of town, churches, library, doctors, parks and so forth within an easy walk...very walkable and where everyone walks (walking school district). Low crime rates and, being a small town, we look out for each other. You will need your car for the movies, however, but there is a Lowes 24 about 5 minutes away in Cherry Hill. No rec centers, sorry to say, but a couple of swim clubs.