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So I'm going to be blunt here: I live in Cranford, really nice town, and I am recently divorced and my ex-wife is thinking of living (with my daughter) in Linden. Now, I'm sure there is a "nice" part and all, but everything I've ever seen and heard myself or secondhand about Linden makes me believe it is mostly a hellhole ghetto, and that at some point, my daughter would be going to school with the kids from the crappy, criminal parts of town. Now, if I'm wrong about this I'd like to hear why, but I'm not looking for "it's a multicultural tapestry!" as a reason, I'm more looking for "My tiny white daughter isn't going to be in danger every day of her life in this place." I know some people are going to be offended by this, but I think any parents reading this can appreciate that I'm more concerned with my daughter's safety than people's tender sensibilities. Thoughts?
The Sunnyside section of Linden is actually pretty decent, with nicely kept-up single family homes. In fact, if you drove from neighboring Clark into Linden, you would be hard-pressed to figure out where Clark ended and Linden began. The rest of the town ranges from just...okay...to somewhat sketchy.
If the gangbangers don't kill you, the property taxes will.
Are you sure about that?
For as long as I can remember, Linden had lower property taxes than adjoining towns, as a result of its industrial tax base. Has that actually changed?
I also live in Cranford (lifelong, not a newcomer) and did not know Linden is as bad as people are making it seem. I know the schools aren't that great, and I know that most parts of town are way less desirable than Cranford, but I didn't know that safety is an issue at the schools (or really that much at all in general). One of our favorite restaurants/bars is in downtown Linden. Whenever we take the train to the city, we leave from Linden. Leave our cars there, frequently come back very late, never face a problem. I drove through Linden every day on my commute to Staten Island that lasted three years, including the more industrial, definitely less desirable areas. It's not a particularly nice town by many local standards (like Cranford standards) but I was unaware it's so unsafe as some are making it seem.
Would I send my kids to school there/live there with a family? Not unless I HAD to (just because there are so many nicer and better areas). But did I ever think or know that it is that dangerous? Not at all. News to me if everyone is right, and honestly surprising news.
Your ex-wife would probably be better off choosing a place like Roselle Park if she's looking into areas cheaper and "lesser" if you will than Cranford. What's drawing her to Linden in particular? RP is okay but IMO it's probably better than Linden. I get that financially, some people with kids have no choice to live in a place like Linden, when there are better schools in other towns and other towns are overall just better environments. But it's not like Linden is Elizabeth. I mean, really, it's not THAT bad. I've always thought that parts of Linden would be great for young single city commuters.
Must be a bad ghetto place to have a Starbucks and a Target right in the middle just like other well to do towns. I don't think the town is as bad as some made it out to be, I often go there for movies and see no problems. Overreacting? Yes because this isn't Newark or even Jersey City where 5 people were shot this weekend.
So I'm going to be blunt here: I live in Cranford, really nice town, and I am recently divorced and my ex-wife is thinking of living (with my daughter) in Linden. Now, I'm sure there is a "nice" part and all, but everything I've ever seen and heard myself or secondhand about Linden makes me believe it is mostly a hellhole ghetto, and that at some point, my daughter would be going to school with the kids from the crappy, criminal parts of town. Now, if I'm wrong about this I'd like to hear why, but I'm not looking for "it's a multicultural tapestry!" as a reason, I'm more looking for "My tiny white daughter isn't going to be in danger every day of her life in this place." I know some people are going to be offended by this, but I think any parents reading this can appreciate that I'm more concerned with my daughter's safety than people's tender sensibilities. Thoughts?
Reason 741 not to divorce when you have kids: The ex-spouse gets the kids half the time and might live somewhere you don't like. Reason 955? The ex-wife will eventually have your kid(s) at the dinner table with her new stud. Either one would drive me crazy.
You should just driver over there, walk around and make your own mind up.
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