Moving from NYC to NJ - HELP PLEASE (Jersey City, Montclair: apartment complexes, rentals)

[caruspim]

Hi Guys,

Where would you recommend for us to live taking into account our profile below for families with young children and reasonable commute to the city.

Where are you coming from? Brooklyn, NYC
Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC? Midtown, NYC

Will you buy or rent? Rent
What is your budget ? Up to $3,500
What kind of place are you looking for ? Condo, townhouses, houses - Minimum 2bed / 2bath

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ? Spouse and 2yr old daughter


Thanks you

[jaymoney]

Is reasonable commute an hour door to door or 90 minutes door to door?

is there anything about Brooklyn that you want to replicate? City living? Green spaces like parks? Neighborhood families? Walkable train lines?

Is this a long term move or are you planning on relocating in 5 years when schools become a lot more important?

[caruspim]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I am fine with 90 minutes door to door; that's the max I would be willing to go for.

Since my wife works from home, would be nice to be in a town with a vibrant downtown scene. It does not need to be like BK or NYC but somewhere with nice restaurants and things to do for young couples with kids.

I believe we will be relocating as soon as I can afford to buy a place. Right now, our plan is to stay in this rental for at least 2/3 yrs.

Also missing from the above, we have two small dogs which makes the rental search a bi more challenge.

[jaymoney]

Yeah, I have to say the dogs are going to be the real sticking point with landlords and you're going to get a lot of nos.

Vibrant downtowns: Maplewood, Westfield, Cranford, Madison, Montclair, Summit, Jersey City and I think that's going to be be about it for your commute range. I'm sure I'm forgetting one or two and will be corrected. I can't guarantee that you'll find your budget in them but it's mostly because of the dogs than anything else.
https://www.nj.com/news/2018/10/roun...he_best_d.html

[MontclairNative]

I'd give Cranford, Morristown and Sommerville (outer limits of commute) a look.

[caruspim]

Thanks for the help.

I'll start visiting some areas next week. My wife want us to focus on Summit, South Orange and vicinity. But i'll check the ones you recommended as well.

[AUSSIEinNYC]

Try Lodi NJ. Nice houses, competitive rentals, backyards and garages and good schools. 60-75min door to most doors (with bus). Rentals easily 2500 or less.

Originally Posted by caruspim

Hi Guys,

Where would you recommend for us to live taking into account our profile below for families with young children and reasonable commute to the city.

Where are you coming from? Brooklyn, NYC
Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC? Midtown, NYC

Will you buy or rent? Rent
What is your budget ? Up to $3,500
What kind of place are you looking for ? Condo, townhouses, houses - Minimum 2bed / 2bath

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ? Spouse and 2yr old daughter


Thanks you

[jaymoney]

Oh, South Orange, I knew I was forgetting at least one!

[Kthnry]

Originally Posted by caruspim

Thanks for the help.

I'll start visiting some areas next week. My wife want us to focus on Summit, South Orange and vicinity. But i'll check the ones you recommended as well.

This building in South Orange is very dog-friendly and doesn't have size restrictions. And it's in your price range. I live nearby and see people walking big dogs all the time. (I approve because I own big dogs myself.) It's right next door to a large park (Waterlands Field) with a walking path into the woods. Couldn't ask for a better location for dog-walking. It's also about a block from the train station.

I can't address the other large/new apartment complexes in town. I just happen to know this one well because I walk my own dogs at the same park.

https://www.gaslightcommonsapts.com/

[Romeo_]

If you need an agent to make appointments to check out some rentals let me know! I'd be happy to help