Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My initial thought was mahwah also but when I scanned the housing prices I saw that they were out of range. A condo is an option if that will work And I am sure there are rental options in that market.
I think a townhouse could work in Mahwah in that budget. Maybe Apple Ridge which would be close to work. But yeah, single family will be tough
If you raise your top price to 600k, the best bet for your combination of wants will be found in northern Bergen County. That would include, based roughly on ease of commute Mahwah, Montvale, Ramsey, Allendale, Park Ridge, Ho-Ho-Kus, Hillsdale, River Vale, Westwood, Ridgewood, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Midland Park, Wyckoff, Oakland. Some of these towns will off a stress free commute of under 10 minutes.
At your price point you will find it hard to purchase a house in Saddle River, Woodcliff Lake.
Butler is a skip due to schools.
Pompton Lakes is a skip due to pollution.
Kinnelon, Montville, Lincoln Park/Pompton Plains are going to offer similar schools and pricing to northern Bergen, but with a big variable in the commute. The minimum commute will be longer (by as much as 30-40 minutes) than most of the Bergen towns above. The commute also goes through the wacky 287/87/17 intersection in Mahwah. Property taxes might be slightly lower, but that is variable from town to town and even can be variable within towns.
Wayne also offers the good schools and house prices, but depending where you live within Wayne, the commute is variable and longer than anything in Bergen County. Wayne is almost a city with a population of about 55,000, 25 square miles and no real center of town.
Is there a reason you want NJ rather than NY? Rockland county has some nice areas. Ramapo, Pearl River and Nanuet may be more affordable, and still have good schools. Ramapo might not be as 'upscale' as you'd want, but it's a beautiful area.
I'm open to options in NY. I just don't know much about any of the towns. Thanks for the suggestion.
If you raise your top price to 600k, the best bet for your combination of wants will be found in northern Bergen County. That would include, based roughly on ease of commute Mahwah, Montvale, Ramsey, Allendale, Park Ridge, Ho-Ho-Kus, Hillsdale, River Vale, Westwood, Ridgewood, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Midland Park, Wyckoff, Oakland. Some of these towns will off a stress free commute of under 10 minutes.
At your price point you will find it hard to purchase a house in Saddle River, Woodcliff Lake.
Butler is a skip due to schools.
Pompton Lakes is a skip due to pollution.
Kinnelon, Montville, Lincoln Park/Pompton Plains are going to offer similar schools and pricing to northern Bergen, but with a big variable in the commute. The minimum commute will be longer (by as much as 30-40 minutes) than most of the Bergen towns above. The commute also goes through the wacky 287/87/17 intersection in Mahwah. Property taxes might be slightly lower, but that is variable from town to town and even can be variable within towns.
Wayne also offers the good schools and house prices, but depending where you live within Wayne, the commute is variable and longer than anything in Bergen County. Wayne is almost a city with a population of about 55,000, 25 square miles and no real center of town.
I'm open to options in NY. I just don't know much about any of the towns. Thanks for the suggestion.
Many parts of that area in New York State have a large Hasidic population. This has created some dynamics in the public schools up there. Just something to be aware of.
Many parts of that area in New York State have a large Hasidic population. This has created some dynamics in the public schools up there. Just something to be aware of.
A few people from work have mentioned that issue. However, I don't know which areas should be avoided.
A few people from work have mentioned that issue. However, I don't know which areas should be avoided.
From what I've heard it's the East Ramapo School District. This is a large district that serves quite a few towns. I don't know about adjacent areas, I would research any towns up there and make sure especially if you plan on using public schools
From what I've heard it's the East Ramapo School District. This is a large district that serves quite a few towns. I don't know about adjacent areas, I would research any towns up there and make sure especially if you plan on using public schools
We're definitely on planning public schools (especially with the taxes). Can anyone provide insight on the Monroe/Woodbury/Highland Mills, NY area in this regard.
OP, you don't need a 4 bedroom just because you have three kids and I don't think you ever said you do. Also, unless you're expecting a renovated home (yes, you may be utterly floored when you see what 500K buys here in contrast to where you are), you don't need to spend 700K. I live in a top-rated northern Bergen County town with excellent schools and bought a historic, fully livable but NOT renovated 4 bedroom home for around 600K and it's not tiny. We would have taken a 3 bedroom home. Kids can share, it builds character.
Now if you want a home that looks like the one you are currently living in, yes, willing to bet it would be WELL over 700K.
And yes, property taxes will kick your ass. It's tough. (That's why Paramus is a bit better.)
Which town do you live in?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
