Sticker Shocked by Westfield and Cranford! (Elizabeth, Montclair: how much, houses, buyer)

[veuvegirl]

Depends on who you ask. I say Westfield/Cranford can't hold a candle to Maplewood/South Orange.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by E-TOWN-R.I.P.

And, BTW, Maplewood and South Orange can't hold a candle to Westfield and Cranford.

Honestly, I think you guys are comparing apples and oranges. While I am the type who would be more comfortable in Westfield or Cranford, there are people out there who would get nauseous at the thought of having to live in towns like these. There are people out there who like the artsy bohemian feel of Maplewood or the diverse college town feel of South Orange. Maplewood and South Orange have some areas that are too close for comfort to Irvington and Newark, and that is not for everybody, but neither are the suburbs. They also have some very expensive areas, so it's not like the only people who live there are people who cannot afford more expensive places. Heck, Toll Brother's built townhouses in S.O. that start at $1 mil, and people bought them up real quick. I don' think it is a very fair comparison.

That being said, the OP WAS looking in Westfield and Cranford, so that is probably the type of neighborhood they are looking for. In which case S.O. or Maplewood is not a good alternative.

[veuvegirl]

Agreed they are like night and day, thus my post, it depends on who you ask. The OP is looking for a clean walkable and charming town with older houses; this is Maplewood/South Orange. Yes they are both definitely a different feel; but it may be a good fit for the OP.

[FUALL]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

Depends on who you ask. I say Westfield/Cranford can't hold a candle to Maplewood/South Orange.

Cranford is very affordable compared to Westfield. I would compare Cranford to Clark, and not Westfield. Cranford average home is in the low 400k, so you should not be sticker shocked.

[E-TOWN-R.I.P.]

Originally Posted by AnesthesiaMD

Honestly, I think you guys are comparing apples and oranges. While I am the type who would be more comfortable in Westfield or Cranford, there are people out there who would get nauseous at the thought of having to live in towns like these. There are people out there who like the artsy bohemian feel of Maplewood or the diverse college town feel of South Orange. Maplewood and South Orange have some areas that are too close for comfort to Irvington and Newark, and that is not for everybody, but neither are the suburbs. They also have some very expensive areas, so it's not like the only people who live there are people who cannot afford more expensive places. Heck, Toll Brother's built townhouses in S.O. that start at $1 mil, and people bought them up real quick. I don' think it is a very fair comparison.

That being said, the OP WAS looking in Westfield and Cranford, so that is probably the type of neighborhood they are looking for. In which case S.O. or Maplewood is not a good alternative.

Pay $1 million to live next door to slums like Newark, Irvington and East Orange ... Heck, they need to be institutionalized.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by E-TOWN-R.I.P.

Pay $1 million to live next door to slums like Newark, Irvington and East Orange ... Heck, they need to be institutionalized.

They are in the Newstead section, on the other end of town at the West Orange and Millburn border and at the top of a very steep hill. It is a very nice area with many old mansions. The town is fairly safe and lively as well. It is nothing like Elizabeth, if that's what you are thinking.

[E-TOWN-R.I.P.]

Originally Posted by AnesthesiaMD

They are in the Newstead section, on the other end of town at the West Orange and Millburn border and at the top of a very steep hill. It is a very nice area with many old mansions. The town is fairly safe and lively as well. It is nothing like Elizabeth, if that's what you are thinking.

FYI, I don't live in Elizabeth. My point being is that any towns (South Orange, Maplewood) that border cities like Newark, Irvington and East Orange (which, BTW, are all worse than Elizabeth) should not be held in the same esteem as Cranford or Westfield (which happens to be my current residence). And I'm not saying this because I live here, cause frankly some of the elitism in Westfield happens to get to me. But, saying that, I'd rather live next door to a couple snobs than live next door to the ghetto.

[kimchee]

Thanks for responding everyone.

Regarding the homeowner asking for the credentials... I completely understand about them not wanting to be disrupted but I had my agent called one full week in advance to see the house.

Apparently, the homeowner didn't get the message or didn't care 'cus he pulled my agent aside and told her he didn't want to show unless we had the right credentials.

Regarding the suggestion of Maplewood and S. Orange. I had considered Essex county but the taxes are rather high and school districts of those 2 towns don't seem as good as the Cranford/Westfield ones. Thanks for suggesting anyway.

I've only seen 3 homes in the Westfield and Cranford area so am sure there are some that will fit the bill.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by E-TOWN-R.I.P.

FYI, I don't live in Elizabeth. My point being is that any towns (South Orange, Maplewood) that border cities like Newark, Irvington and East Orange (which, BTW, are all worse than Elizabeth) should not be held in the same esteem as Cranford or Westfield (which happens to be my current residence). And I'm not saying this because I live here, cause frankly some of the elitism in Westfield happens to get to me. But, saying that, I'd rather live next door to a couple snobs than live next door to the ghetto.

I didn't think you lived in Elizabeth, but I have seen your posts about elizabeth in the past. This is why I chose Elizabeth in my post. The upper east side borders Harlem too. It doesn't seem to take anything away from the upper east side. I'm a downtown kind-of-guy anyway. SoHo, The Village, TriBeCa, which brings me to my point. Not everyone likes the same things.

You seem to be insulted that I would even suggest that some people would prefer to live in towns like South Orange or Maplewood over Cranford or Westfield. There are plenty of upper and upper middle class people in these 2 towns. They could easily live somewhere else, but THEY like their towns. I'm with you. I prefer the "family-type" (for lack of a better word) suburbs. I live in Livingston myself, but I am under no illusion that everyone wants to live like we do. If I didn't have children, I might prefer a town like South Orange or Maplewood or Montclair. I would be bored in Livingston, Millburn, or Westfield. Maybe that is why towns like these attract artists, bohemian types, gay couples, etc. There is a lot to do other than family oriented activities. That is all I was trying to say.

[veuvegirl]

A-- couldn't have said it better myself. Maplewood/South Orange has a certain charm that IMO you can't find in other towns. Some people don't like it; that is fine, to each their own! I would rather live here, than Westfield, thus our choice.

kimchee-- sounds like the guy was having a bad day; but look at it this way; Do you want to get into a contract with someone like that?