Relocating to Park Ridge....Have a lot of questions (Jersey City: houses, rent)

[BigLA]

I'm currently in the Chicagoland area and my company is relocating me to Park Ridge. The move will most likely take place some time in June. I currently commute 40 miles one way and would love to cut that in half or eliminate it completely. I'm originally from L.A. and I'm so tired of commuting. Can I survive without a car in New Jersey? What areas have affordable rent that have access to public transportation? My budget would be from $850 to $1100. 1 bedroom would be good, 2 bedroom would be great. Are there any performing art high schools in Jersey or are they all in NY? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[joe moving]

You could live IN park ridge. Nice little town. You would probably want a car, but you could live without one. Performing arts high schools... I dont know about this and trying to figure out how it relates but I guess it doesn't matter.

[BigLA]

My daughter is graduating junior high and going into high school. She's been in a catholic school for 4 years (mom's choice) and now she wants to move with me and I want her to be able to express her creativity.

[Len-NJ]

I use to work in Park Ridge and now work a few blocks away in Montvale. That area and the surrounding areas are pretty expensive as far as rents are concerned - I don't think you'll have much luck finding something in your price range close by but it's always possible. Though Park Ridge is nice - it's a little bland and is basically a very nice and expensive suburb. You might want to consider a town that has a little going on as far as restaurants and things to do and that also has easy transport to NYC like the direct train line. If there are any preferences you have, I'm sure that people here will have some recommendations for you.

[jy_2007]

I would assume that your company is based in the office parks on the park ridge/montvale border. You would absolutely need a car. $850-1100 would be nearly impossible for a 2bd. You can look over the border in NY state for cheaper rents, but you mentioned that you are from LA & chicago - you might find yourself bored in these areas.

[BigLA]

You would assume correctly. I will be working for Sony. So I need a car, huh? Too bad, wishful thinking on my part thinking I could get away without a car. So what are some good, affordable areas in a 30 mile radius? I’ve been reading some descent things about Fort Lee and Jersey City? On the map they don’t seem that far from Park Ridge. I’m a simple man who likes simple things but I do like convenience. One of my co-workers here also mentioned going north into New York. Rockland County, I think she said. Any suggestions on some local newspapers I can check out?

[jy_2007]

Yeah i know exactly where that is. Yep - you need a car. There are no residential areas within walking distance of Sony. A short drive, maybe, but at least a 1.5 mile walk - through a cluster of office buldings with no sidewalks (you'll see when you get there ).
What are you looking for in terms of neighborhood? Culture, food, nightlife, privacy?

[Len-NJ]

I use to work for Sony - and I was born and raised in Jersey City and lived there for a time while working in Park Ridge. I have absolutely nothing nice to say about JC and would not wish that place on my worst enemy and will leave it at that. It took me anywhere between 1 1/2 hrs and 3 hrs each way to commute while living there – there is extreme congestion there and it would sometimes take me 40mins just to get out of JC (don’t trust maps when it comes to commuting times). Ft Lee is also not a cheap place to live - I'm currently in Bloomfield and can say that it's a great central location with easy access to many highways and easy commute to Sony 20miles away - 30-45mins depending on traffic, being next to Montclair there are a lot of restaurants/shopping options in the area but the rents are cheaper here (you will need a 2br if your daughter is moving in with you) off the top of my head I would plan on around $1200 plus utilities, parking is easier here unlike Montclair and there is a direct train into NYC during the week which takes 30mins - you would need to take a bus or drive on the weekends. I wish you luck in your move and I would suggest looking into programs for your daughter in NYC offered at FIT and 92nd Street Y where high schools students can classes on weekends – I took photography at FIT while I was in high school – I would look into Parsons and NYU as well to see if they offer anything.

[Len-NJ]

BTW - forgot to mention, wherever you do wind up - if your daughter is interested in acting, look into your neighborhood theatres/playhouses, usually auditions are open to the public. Below is a link to one in Montclair.

http://www.studioplayhouse.org/

[BigLA]

Thanks Len. That helps. Right now I'm researching Rockland County. It seems like the towns in that county are closer to Park Ridge. And JY_2007, I'm not much in to night life, but I do like having restaurants and shopping conveniently close.