Northern NJ w/ kids

[Farhills Dad]

Originally Posted by Isabelle

Hello Everyone,

From what I've seen, this is a supportive and helpful forum, so I hope you'll be able to give some good advice regarding our situation as well.

We are looking to move from NYC to Northern NJ this year. Our criteria:
- Proximity to the park
- Quick transportation to NYC (as few transfers as possible, walking distance to trains or express buses if possible)
- Good public elementary schools, not just good HS
- Safe area with a sense of community
- $400K or so for a 3BR/1.5+bathroom place after negotiations

We're considering the following areas:
- Fair Lawn (Radburn and Milnes school districts)
- Wyckoff (not sure about this area, not sure about transportation)
- Millburn (didn't look there yet, but I heard it's pricey)
- Ridgewood (expensive; but is there hope?)
- Glen Rock (nice houses, but I didn't get a sense for it yet)
- Glen Ridge (didn't look yet, but heard it's good)

Any pointers? Any concerns? Also, I looked up Wyckoff on this site, and it looks like that part of NJ has "hazardous waste" marks all over one of the maps. Can anyone comment on that? Thank you so much. All the best,

Isabelle

Hi Isabelle, From my expierience of these area's, Wyckoff might be over priced for you, don't know to much about the scools, but your best bet would be Milburn, very nice colonial homes with a great school system that would also meet your price range. Good luck, hope all works ouy. Welcome to Jersey!!!

[JerseyGirl08]

Originally Posted by AnesthesiaMD

You will probably have to come up a bit on the price in most of these towns.
Also note that dollar for dollar, Glen Ridge has the highest property taxes in Essex County. A county that has very high property taxes in general.

And Glen Rock has the highest in Bergen County.
Ridgewood is way too pricey your your budget as is wyckoff. You might be able to find something in Fairlawn but you will not have a too many options.
Paramus has good schools and lots of parks. Saddle Brook, Hasbrouck Heights, River Edge, Midland Park...

[veuvegirl]

Fantastic location is Maplewood/South Orange. You may have to come up a bit in the price, but you can definitely find a great house. There are a ton of parks; beautiful area, friendly town, and right on the Midtown Direct.