Plainfield, Roselle, Flemington, Cranbury, Hackettstown (Union, Lodi: cheap apartment, houses, good schools)

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by AKF

i have noticed other people on this forum have been critical of Elizabeth. How safe is this city? Also, on Cranbury, how expensive is it? How much would the average rent be for a 2 bedroom apt?

does anyone know if there is a site where I can check the crime rate etc?

thanks.

Check out all the city's you want at
http://www.city-data.com/

just type in the city and it will give you all the statistics you need

[Onizuka]

Originally Posted by AKF

i have noticed other people on this forum have been critical of Elizabeth. How safe is this city?

Statistically, Elizabeth has a MUCH, MUCH higher crime rate than Roselle. Look it up on city-data.com and http://www.homesurfer.com/crimerepor...g.cfm?state=NJ.

Anyone who tries to downplay the high rate of crime in Elizabeth has a hidden agenda.

Looking at the big picture, the only thing that Elizabeth has over other areas is slightly cheaper rent and a short-ish commute to NYC. If you're not commuting to NYC, there's absolutely no reason to live in Elizabeth unless you have family there. There is one nice section (Elmora), some so-so sections and many really crappy sections.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get the list of towns you were asking about? None of them are at all close to each other.

[njmom8]

I agree with the last post- Elizabeth is not great- higher crime area for NJ.

Flemington is boring- I grew up there. Not great for someone who likes art and culture.

Roselle Park itself offers you nothing, except reasonable prices, and proximity to NYC.

Have you checked out Cranford? It will be pricier than Roselle Park, but offers a nice downtown w/ restaurants, movies, etc. It is also on the train line to NYC...

[AKF]

thanks guys.

my list comes from the possible locations that my husband might be working in. so, i am trying to find a town/area that will give him max 30-40 minute commute to work and still be not overly expensive. which is why i landed with roselle.

i'll try the links you guys provided.

[nycgooner]

I'll piggy back on this thread, and say that my family and I are looking in the Hackettstown area to move. I am familiar with Cranbury, since I used to date a girl from there. But I am unfamiliar with Hackettstown. Someone told me it is the last frontier in terms of affordable houses. What do all of you think?

[MElizH]

I grew up in Long Valley (Washington Twp.), which is right next to Hackettstown. Hackettstown a great town with a marginally blue-collar feel but definitely safe and moving up in the world quickly. Beautiful housing developments seem to spring up weekly, and housing prices are still relatively reasonable from my understanding. I think it's definitely worth a look! (I may be biased, but Long Valley is even better...)

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

I'm not sure why several people have called Flemington "boring" I currently live there. I find nothing the matter with it. It may not be artsy but gimme a break, neither is Roselle. Out of the cities on the list you had I would recommend either Flemington or Cranbury. I understand that Plainfield is making a come back, but I still don't consider it a family friendly community. If you are looking for family friendly and great schools. Flemington.

[AKF]

well i have to say thank you to jm because truthfully i haven't even checked this forum for the last couple of days because i got so discouraged by all the negative accounts i was getting from people.
everyone just seems to be stuck on that there is no affordable place to live in jersey (northern or central) and honestly i am about to sign off on the whole transfer bit.
i was hopeful with flemington but everyone put that down until now...i would appreciate any added info on this town as well as cranbury and hackettstown.

thanks

[LittleMissSunshine]

Originally Posted by AKF

well i have to say thank you to jm because truthfully i haven't even checked this forum for the last couple of days because i got so discouraged by all the negative accounts i was getting from people.
everyone just seems to be stuck on that there is no affordable place to live in jersey (northern or central) and honestly i am about to sign off on the whole transfer bit.
i was hopeful with flemington but everyone put that down until now...i would appreciate any added info on this town as well as cranbury and hackettstown.

thanks

Based on your other thread, I don't know if you are picking the best towns if you need to work in Union.

Hackettstown is sort of a treck and Cranbury is an okay commute and a great town, but Cranbury is Middlesex County, which over all, is more expesnive than Union County itself.

Is there a specific reason you're not looking in Union County? Did you look in Springfield? My friend lives there, cute suburban town. Nice easy commute to union. I am not sure of apartment prices though, but it's not an outrageous town, middle class, nice. Roselle Park has decent sections too like metioned before. New Providence is nice, but probably more expensive.

[AKF]

i wasn't looking in union because everyone keeps telling me how expensive it would be for me. i am looking to rent a 2 bedroom apt at least for under $1k a month...do you think i can find something in that price range in or around union that is not going to be in a "shady" area?
someone mentioned elizabeth...but then others mentioned it is a highly "unsafe" area.
what gives?

thanks