NJ Towns (Bloomfield, West Orange, Orange: house, to buy, public schools)

[bkmom]

My family is looking to buy our first home in New Jersey. We need to live in a town with strong public schools (blue ribbon) and some diversity preferred. My husband and I both work in NYC. We have looked in West Orange and Franklin Township so far. Can someone suggest other towns with home prices not more than 400s? All suggestions and info appreciated.

[BobKovacs]

If you're looking for strong schools, the two towns you listed wouldn't exactly top my list. Of course, your $400k budget is going to keep you out of most of the towns with the strongest schools, unless you're willing to accept a really small house or something that needs some work. Lastly, in many cases you'll find that areas with real "diversity" aren't going to have the strongest schools- it's going to be tough to find a place that perfectly suits your three requests and is still convenient to NYC.

[EEEPNJ]

While they boast "Blue Ribbon" schools, I don't think they are the best, but they are decent... you may want to check Rutherford. It is diverse, and it is a decent school system. How big of a house do you need? You can do $400k, but it's tough. Taxes are HIGH as a warning.

I really wouldn't reccomend Franklin Township - I had family & friends that lived there and it was not so nice, the schools were not good at all.

[brookdaleresident]

Check the Oakview section of Bloomfield. Blue ribbon school, near NYC transportation, and within your budget. Also consider Brookdale section. Good luck!

[EEEPNJ]

You know, interesting point here, diversity usually does not = good schools in NJ - and that's really sad. Do you think it's different in other states?

[bkmom]

Actually in some states diversity can equal strong schools, but mostly in the South. I agree regarding Franklin Township, my husband was not interersted after we viewed the first home. People have made so many suggestions we feel totally confused.
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[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

You know, interesting point here, diversity usually does not = good schools in NJ - and that's really sad. Do you think it's different in other states?

It's the same in metro Atlanta- most of the good schools are still in the lily-white areas, and some of the schools that used to be considered the best in the area have slipped since the areas became "more diverse".

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by bkmom

Actually in some states diversity can equal strong schools, but mostly in the South. I agree regarding Franklin Township, my husband was not interersted after we viewed the first home. People have made so many suggestions we feel totally confused.
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What southern state would that statement apply to? It certainly doesn't apply in GA or in most areas of Florida.

[Eephus]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

You know, interesting point here, diversity usually does not = good schools in NJ - and that's really sad. Do you think it's different in other states?

Nor does diversity = a real term that means anything. It's a shame that people have lost the ability to actually say what they mean rather than throwing around vapid terms like that. There are probably not too many heavily black or hispanic public schools which are any good but I'm sure there are an abundance of schools which have a large number of Koreans, Indians, and other non-white groups who put a high premium on education which are. Schools can't perform miracles, the strongest ones have the best material to work with in students who come to learn and parents who expect it of them.

[bkmom]

Your response is ridiculous; diverse means not lily white or predominately black, but all ethnicities, no particular preference. We are African American and our sons do extremely well in school because they have parents that have invested time and energy developing there minds as well as well as there spirits. They actually attend schools that out perform most schools in New York State but the school system is very different, at least in New York City. We actually just want a community where the boys feel safe and comfortable being themselves. please get over your cynicism.