Summit, Westfield, Cranford, South Orange: Which is better?

[bingo3000]

Originally Posted by j0nx

Obviously if you were choosing those houses in those towns it would be Summit, Westfield, S Orange, Chatham

Thanks. I forgot to add Cranford homes.

[srdjanmax]

Originally Posted by bingo3000

Thanks. I forgot to add Cranford homes.

You don't have to. Cranford is not in the same league with the other three.

[pruebas]

Originally Posted by srdjanmax

You don't have to. Cranford is not in the same league with the other three.

Exactly. Cranford is more akin to Morristown.

Ridgewood, Millburn, and Maplewood are more like Summit & Westfield.

[swilliamsny]

Summit, Westfield and South Orange may have less expensive areas, but they are not working class/middle class towns. I'd categorize Scotch Plains (barely), Clark, and Springfield that way. I've met a few people from Summit and Westfield who are fairly down-to-earth and not snobbish, but not many. As nice as those towns are, I wouldn't want to live there because we'd be the poorest family there, and that's not a fun feeling. It can be really hard on the kids if there's a big income disparity.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by swilliamsny

I've met a few people from Summit and Westfield who are fairly down-to-earth and not snobbish, but not many.

When I lived in Cranford--in the late '70s-late '80s--many of the locals referred to Cranford as, "Westfield without the attitude".

Yes, that is an exaggeration--regarding both towns--but it isn't a huge exaggeration.

[BlackBeret]

Currently living in Scotch Plains- Its not as blue collar, working-class as it used to be. Cranford and Clark are decent alternatives for humble suburbs, Westfield, Summit, Chatham and that lot are considered more affluent but also have better schools and nicer downtown areas. Scotch Plains has almost no good downtown to speak of but you could easily make a day of shopping and eating in Westfield or Summit.
I have to say that Westfield is VERY snobby. I've lived in SP my whole life- its definitely there. Cranford is a touch snobby but better. I've found most people in Summit leave you alone.
We're bringing in 80k, taxes are at 10k and we have a small, 3 bedroom ranch on the north side; we're staying for the schools but its hard to afford almost anyplace in NJ right now.