Move from NC to work in Bridgewater NJ, where to rent (Edison: real estate, housing)

[puurple88]

I am moving from NC to NJ (YES, the opposite way!) to take a job in Bridgewater NJ. We decided to sell our house here but would like to rent for a year in NJ before buying. We have a 10-year old daughter so schools are very important. We also have a small dog (15 pounds) and there seems to have less options for renting. My husband works from home so we would need 3 bedrooms and preferrably with some storage place. The budget is around $2000. We also want to know how people usually deal with snow removal. We have never lived in the NE and this would be something that we need to learn. Thanks!!

[BobKovacs]

You may be able to find a 3br house for rent, or an apartment (try forrent dot com) in your price range somewhat close to Bridgewater (lets say less that 30 minutes commute). A quick search of move.com found a few in Bridgewater, but you'll likely have to expand your search a little. The dog will narrow your choices, but there are people and complexs that will allow it and just charge you a pet deposit.

As far as snow removal, it hasn't been an issue so far this year- other than the 1/4" we got this morning....lol. In an apartment complex, the property manager is responsible for clearing the walks and parking areas- you just need to clean off your car. In single-family residences, you're on your own, and may want to consider buying a snowblower if there's alot of space to be cleared.

Bob

[puurple88]

Bob Thanks! Do you think renting in PA is an option? Also what are the good school districts around Bridgewater area?

[emanon]

You are very fortunate to be working in Bridgewater NJ. Lots of people pick B'Water for it's good schools and it is convienent to everything. I don't know much about renting but houses in Bridgewater go from 300K to 2M. Just like most large twps. some areas are better than others. The most desirable section of Bridgewater is the Martinsville area located in the valley between the first and second mouintain.( I know their not really mountains but that's what they call them)
For rentals try Middlesex boro, Dunellen or the Finderne section of Bridgewater.

I just happen to have a great home for sale in Martinsville. Send me an e-mail and I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. ( I'll throw in the two snow blowers)

BTW Where in NC are you coming from, perhaps a trade?

E

[njmom8]

The schools in Brwtr are good. You should also look at Readington township, and clinton township. They are close to brwtr, have a little less built up feeling, and great schools. Consider renting a townhome... Although real estate is somewhat reasonable now...

[puurple88]

I currently live in Apex NC where there are lot of NJ folks move into. (Good School, a small town feel but with quite some new developments of restaurants/shops, very reasonable house price).A lot of people have advised us against moving into NJ. But I would like to have a career change in 2007 and am ready to take the risk. The housing situation (including property tax) is really tough for us to make a quick decision in buying. We really would like to live there for a while to know what are the options.

Can anybody give us some ideas about the these cities and the commute time to Bridgewater: princeton, edison, woodbridge, dayton, east windsor, hopewell, hillsborough?

Thanks.

P

[emanon]

Commute times to Bridgewater from, (commuter hours)
Princeton 30-45 min
Edison 20-30 min
Woodbridge 25-35 min
Dayton 40-60 min
East Windsor 40-60 min
Hopewell 30-45 min
Hillsboro 20-30 min.

[BobKovacs]

Edison and Woodbridge both have very good school systems, and also fairly affordable homes/taxes (by NJ standards..lol). In both, their are "better" sections- in Edison, you want to stay in "North Edison", both for nicer neighborhoods and the better of the two high schools. In Woodbridge, stay with Woobridge proper, Colonia, or Iselin as the top three areas, with Sewaren, Menlo Park Terrace or Fords as the next tier- I wouldn't consider Avenel, Port Reading, Hopelawn or Keasby, IMO.

Bob

[puurple88]

I checked on move.com and a lot of houses/apartments are for rent in Lawrenceville. How is it like there? How about Plainfield?

[berryjuice4life]

lawrenceville is very nice but too far for you if your working up north jersey....Plainfield isnt so bad of a commute my dh's co worker travles from south Plainsfield to Somerset and its not a terrible commute, somerset isnt far from bridgewater....