Looking for a house in Monmouth County (Union, Keansburg: condo, buying a house)

[Irish Eyes]

Hello! My husband and I are thinking of buying a house in NJ and are going to drive around and look at some areas over the weekend. If you have any thoughts on the following places or others nearby I'd love to hear them. We're planning to stay for 3-5 years and will hopefully have a child while we're there but don't have any now. We'll both be commuting to NYC at least until one comes along. We're looking at houses up to 275,000 and don't want a condo or development. We don't expect a palace for that price, we'd be fine with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath if the rooms were human sized. We'd still like a good school district even though we probably won't be using it.

Right now we think Hazlet, Keyport, Middletown, Aberdeen, Matawan. We have friends in Union Beach but I don't think that's the right place for us. Being that close to the beach, or any water is not important to us. In fact I want to stay clear of anything that might be in a flood zone. Cliffwood seems to be in that area but I don't know anything about it. We don't need to be close to hip, hot places -haha. But I'd like to be able to walk to SOMETHING. If that makes sense. I confess that I don't know that much about NJ and I'd hate to miss something on our little fact finding mission! I'm sensing Hazlet will be tough in our range but we're not in a rush and we do want to be in close proximity to that area specifically. Being close to the commuter bus is also important - I'm not shelling out for that ferry. Thanks!!

[precator]

I love Hazlet, great town. But the other towns you have listed are good too. I would rank Middletown ahead of the rest (probably even higher than Hazlet) but certain areas of Middletown are better than others. I would stay away from Cliffwood and Union Beach and Keyport.

[Summer16]

I agree with Precator.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks, guys. I guess that explains all of the houses in Keyport. Can't wait to start looking!!

[LevityNYC]

Bought a house in Hazlet in NOV 07....love it here....so conveniently close to everything. Don't let snobs from Holmdel and Middletown bash Hazlet..

[Irish Eyes]

haha, thanks. In everything I've read and everyone I have spoken to I have really never heard a bad word about Hazlet. What sort of paradise are you guys living in? Unfortunately with all of the rain this weekend I guess I'm going to be seeing everything at it's worst! Actually, that's probably a good thing. If you liked your realtor, would you mind sharing who you used?

This might be a strange question but - can you walk to anything there? Or is it really a drive everywhere kind of place? I've only been to a street not far from Airport Plaza and I don't think I've ever seen a person outside. Would I be the neighborhood nutcase if I was out bike riding and walking? Thanks!!!

[precator]

I live about 1/4 mile from Airport Plaza and familes do walk around. More walking than biking though. Usually a married couple taking a stroll, etc.

[precator]

I have been noticing more and more people interested in Monmouth County lately. Finally our great county is getting noticed. I will say it again, I would much rather live in Monmouth County than live like a sardine in North Jerey in a POS cape .

[LevityNYC]

We used Lucy Starr from Remax on RT 9...very nice to both of us.

Its nice here...by no means is a gorgeous dream area...but i just love it here....We live near the baseball fields and we like to walk in the areas. Since we live on the south side of 35 and live closer to holmdel, there are much more rural routes to ride bikes on.

[lockandkey]

I am in the same boat with Irish Eyes....

I am torn between this house we saw in Keansburg that was gorgeous.. but I am not sure of the area.. so close to the school. Then we saw this other house in Aberdeen, gorgeous area.... so nice, but on the smaller side... very nice, the nice side of cliffwood we were told.. any ideas? please toss in your thoughts...