Sticker Shocked by Westfield and Cranford! (Elizabeth, Orange: homes, to buy, school)

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by hc7612

People tend to be less than friendly if you state you are looking for a larger house on a large lot.

Well, not to mention large lots aren't plentiful in close proximity to NYC - for good reason. It makes more sense to builders, and to townships (tax money) to have more people. So expecting an abundance of acreage with a direct line to NYC for an average price (by NJ standards) is simply not going to happen. There aren't many large lots left, and when they do get sold, there is a big push by builders to divide the lot, which is usually successful with the town.

In other words, perception needs to be adjusted. The closer you get, the smaller the lots, the higher the price. The further you get, the larger the lots, the lower the price. You can also pick up ALOT of acreage for ALOT of money further out, but its definitely more bang for the buck. And I have to be candid here, other states really just do not compare to NJ when talking proximity to big city money.

I'd continue, but I'd end up rambling for another 40 paragraphs

[sydney66]

thanks so much..i cant believe i called my husband second guessing my decision and our house purchase based on this guys comments... your right..lol.. please spare me the quote.. i guess i did type that but it was just flowing at the time... jeez...I think all the nerves and moving to the burbs is making me crazy.. all in good fun.. thanks... enjoy where ever you live... its about the people and your family in the long run.. towns change people move in and out, as long as you are happy, whatever... and yes.. the internet.. such a useful useless tool....thanks again..

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

Originally Posted by sydney66

you are absolutely right..it just annoyed me.. maybe Im taking some things out on Etown..
apologies for freaking out on a public web site.. I normally dont do that...i guess some people do have that impression of that area...i get it.as did I until I researched it and went there... but the obnoxious elitist attitude pissed me off...
To each his own... depends on what you want.. im out of here..

No problem. A little friendly banter is good sometimes. Keeps me awake at work!!!

[veuvegirl]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

I lived in Westfield. Unless they are coming from the border, I call BS.

I live in High Bridge. Last stop, very same line. My daily commute, door to door, walking to the train (7 minutes), walking from the train to the office (5 minutes), takes me 2hrs if I get an express, 2:10-2:15 if I'm on a local.

From two different places (rented for three years, moved in with gf's parents for one before buying my house), I've walked, driven, and been dropped off. 1:15 was the longest door to door its ever taken. Unless they are adding in a subway ride uptown, or wasting time taking the train into Penn for a downtown commute, there is no way they are on the regular getting 1:30. That, or they suck as drivers. I'm not trying to be confrontational, but if you take my range - 55 minutes to 1:15, you're talking about an additional 15 minutes. Thats alot.

EDIT**

Being on a direct line doesn't help with a subway commute. So even on a direct line, their daily travels are going to be longer than a typical midtown commute.

CuCullin-- the just moved; so maybe they haven't gotten the timing down as good as you do! Or they could be like me (neurotic) and have to arrive to the train early and wait. I cannot deal with walking up to the train with only a few minutes to spare!!

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

Originally Posted by hc7612

I think you upset people up more with the fact that you have a 1 million $$ budget, than what you had to say about whatever town. I have witnessed it on a few occasions. People tend to be less than friendly if you state you are looking for a larger house on a large lot. God forbid, you do not want to be up your neighbor's a$$! Now, if you were struggling to make ends meet and only have a $400,000 budget, people would be more than friendly. Anyway, good luck, it sounds like you found a great house. Don't mind the haters!

You're damn right I'm pissed they've got a $1 million budget.

[veuvegirl]

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

Middlesex – White trash central.

Maplewood – Next door to the ghetto.

Dallas – Are you kidding me???

You guys are delusional -- or lying about your budget (or both).Westfield (and Cranford) are so much better than those towns you mentioned. You’re just the types that need to justify your residence by putting down others.

BTW, you can do Westfield and Cranford to Port Authority in under an hour. FYI …

E-Town-- it is all relative. I love Maplewood! Westfield and Maplewood have entirely different feels, communities and commutes. People that move here love the artistic feel, the diversity and the strong community.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

CuCullin-- the just moved; so maybe they haven't gotten the timing down as good as you do! Or they could be like me (neurotic) and have to arrive to the train early and wait. I cannot deal with walking up to the train with only a few minutes to spare!!

True, even at the new home in HB I have my times down flat. If I know I'll walk, its one time on the alarm - if I'm getting a ride from the gf because she is off to class, its a different time on the alarm. Both give me exactly the right time to walk in, get the cup of coffee they know I'm ordering at Cafe Hola, then hop on the train, seated and ready as the doors close

From doing this commute by way of the Raritan Valley line for a few years now, I can tell you if I had my choice, I'd choose Westfield over Cranford because of the express train. Also because Westfield has a coffee/snack stand right there at the track. What I don't like about either, and love about HB, is that there are too many people getting on in Westfield, and you really need to know where the doors end up when you're waiting for the train to pull in - it pays off with a seat. Don't have to do that in HB though If a 1.5hr commute is ok though, and you will get used to timing, you can go a bit further to Bridgewater. Not all trains start in HB, but all trains go by way of Raritan - which means more opportunities to get in if you do miss it.

Damn, I'm typing ALOT today

[veuvegirl]

See; you should be WORKING, not typing.

Although...so should I!!

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

See; you should be WORKING, not typing.

Although...so should I!!

Eh, I'm ahead in hours for the week anyway (salary, but I'm a consultant, so I bill based on hours). Plus I'm going to a cocktail mixer tonight, which, believe it or not, will be billed against a marketing budget - so I'm going to be working late tonight! With beer. And snacks!

[veuvegirl]

Nice...work with beer!