help with relocating-- escaping NYC? (Paterson, Clifton: rental, low crime, big house)

[islandmommy]

I'm wondering if you good people could make some suggestions to us. I am originally from New England and my husband is a lifelong New Yorker, for his job he works in both southern NJ and Manhattan. We currently live in NYC but want to move to NJ, can't move too far from the city, preferably not more than a 30-40 minute train ride.

We need a 4/ 5 BR home (as large as possible, we have a lot of kids and husband needs a home office), budget is up to $600k assuming we can sell our current home. Otherwise closer to $300-400k and we would keep our current home as a rental property.

We would prefer somewhere a bit diverse, i.e. not all white or all black (or all anything). And if there is any variation with property tax rates, of course we want to be where it is lower.

Obviously we want a place with low crime and decent schools. We could homeschool so the school district won't be "the" factor for us, but a good highschool would be nice. And being near a decent college would be good too (thinking forward for the kids...).

Okay, here's where it gets a little weird. My husband does not have a driver's license (grew up in the city, always used the subway) so we need a place in or near a "town center" so things are within walking distance (post office, library, train). We also prefer the older homes (colonials/ victorians), we really dislike ranch homes.

Any suggestions? Your advice is greatly appreciated. TY!!

[wileynj]

small budget for big house within 30-40 mins. of NYC. I usually play on gsmls.com
Take a peek at some of the areas so that you can get an idea what 600K gets you in towns near nyc : (

[Spincycle]

keywords: close to NYC, train to NYC, "diversity", ecomomy, low taxes, good schools, close to a college.

answer: Try looking at the GREAT NOTCH section of Little Falls and SW sector of West Paterson near Montclair State University. Also look at the west side of Clifton too.

you will have to forgo the "walkability concept" here unless you want to take on some higher taxes and go into Bloomfield (essex county) along Bloomfield Ave.

[BrianG]

[
Okay, here's where it gets a little weird. My husband does not have a driver's license (grew up in the city, always used the subway) so we need a place in or near a "town center" so things are within walking distance (post office, library, train). We also prefer the older homes (colonials/ victorians), we really dislike ranch homes.

Any suggestions? Your advice is greatly appreciated. TY!![/quote]

Take Willeynj's advice and look at gsmls.com for anytown for like

Also add my town in
Rahway New Jersey Home Page

When you do a search
None of these are my listings but
Here are a few mls #s for you
2490172
2512749
2540017
2568087
They are all Victorian's and all within walking distance to the trains or bus

[nj_guy1975]

You'll want to check out the public school government statistics, especially for high schools. There is a lot of variation in the performance and safety of NJ public schools, so pay close attention to that aspect of various towns.

NEW JERSEY SCHOOL REPORT CARD 2006-2007