Plainfield, Roselle, Flemington, Cranbury, Hackettstown (Union, Rahway: lofts, condos, hotel)

[njmom8]

I said before that Flemington is boring, and it is, if you are looking for "a lot going on" with arts and culture. That being said it is a perfectly nice town for a family- and you should not think twice if you can find something that you like there in your price range. The schools are very good, the people are nice, and it is very safe. The negative (if you care) is that it is not very cosmopolitan.

It would be a rough commute to Union, though.

I don't know rents, but in Union County check out Berkeley Heights, Sterling, Cranford... Nice areas in Union County are expensive, because they are closer to NY.

I don't know much about Kenilworth- but it could be an option.

Farther west, but closer than Fleminton (to Union), would be Bridgewater.

[tenphases]

Hillside NJ has a really nice pocket called Conant estates and there is also a row of nice houses where Phil Rizzuto lives. The further you go down route 22 you go the more suburban it gets but I have found these areas to be really inexpensive and nice places to raise a family.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Originally Posted by 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

for like 1,000-1,100 you'd probably be able to swing something 2 bedroom ins Roselle Park. For a lot of the nicer towns you'd probably have to move your budget up to more like 1,200 at least to get what you want.

1,200 could probably get you something decent in several nice middlesex or union towns. Your budget of 1000 seems more the price of a one bedroom for middlesex / union.

[AKF]

my husband will be working in union county not in nyc so i really don't need to be close to nyc. basically i don't want to live in a totally rural area...i would like to find something in my price range with a little bit of life for instance parks to take my kids to, a library at least, some diversity in cultures/people would be nice as well, friendly people and a safe enough environment to raise my kids in.

if i can find all this that is great, anything more museums, universities, colleges, things to do, arts, etc etc etc would be a BONUS!

my price range remains under $1K or under for a 2 bedroom apt/house/shack/whatever!

so far from everyone's comments it seems it's either cranbury? flemington? cranford? maybe roselle park???

thanks

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

Originally Posted by AKF

my husband will be working in union county not in nyc so i really don't need to be close to nyc. basically i don't want to live in a totally rural area...i would like to find something in my price range with a little bit of life for instance parks to take my kids to, a library at least, some diversity in cultures/people would be nice as well, friendly people and a safe enough environment to raise my kids in.

if i can find all this that is great, anything more museums, universities, colleges, things to do, arts, etc etc etc would be a BONUS!

my price range remains under $1K or under for a 2 bedroom apt/house/shack/whatever!

so far from everyone's comments it seems it's either cranbury? flemington? cranford? maybe roselle park???

thanks

Being honest. With the price range you have I don't think Flemington would be an option. Almost apartments in Flemington are easily over $1,000. With that being said Cranford is also quite expensive. I would recommend looking into Somerville, which is the town over from Bridgewater. You maybe able to find something in your price range there. Somerville is also a pretty nice area with decent schools. If you can stretch your budget a little bit though. Flemington or Cranbury are the best choices.

[sj3]

Flemington is soccer mom heaven. It isn't a fun place and I think the OP wanted a fun place with lots of culture and diversity and things to do. It is pretty, I find more affordable than some think, but again, it isn't an exciting place to be.

It is also not the easiest place to get to, either.

[njmom8]

Are good schools an issue? How old are your children?

Flemington is a good choice for a family, but would be a rough commute to Union.

The schools in roselle park may not be that great.

NJ is expensive. It will be very hard (if not impossible) to find a nice apt., in a nice area with good schools for $1k (It may even be hard in not so nice areas). You will have to compromise. If your kids are young it may be easier to compromise on school system. You will have to search..... To check out schools, look at www.greatschools.com.

Check out: Branchburg, Somerville, Springfield, Garwood, Fanwood, Scotch Plains, Kenilworth, and Union.

[AKF]

Originally Posted by njmom8

Are good schools an issue? How old are your children?

Flemington is a good choice for a family, but would be a rough commute to Union.

The schools in roselle park may not be that great.

NJ is expensive. It will be very hard (if not impossible) to find a nice apt., in a nice area with good schools for $1k (It may even be hard in not so nice areas). You will have to compromise. If your kids are young it may be easier to compromise on school system. You will have to search..... To check out schools, look at www.greatschools.com.

Check out: Branchburg, Somerville, Springfield, Garwood, Fanwood, Scotch Plains, Kenilworth, and Union.

schools is not an issue for me as stated in my earlier post.

thanks

[AKF]

i found some apt listings in my price range in jersey city, jamesburg/monroe, lodi and edison. are any of these good areas based on my criteria of safety and things to do (parks, library, safety)?

thanks.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Originally Posted by AKF

i found some apt listings in my price range in jersey city, jamesburg/monroe, lodi and edison. are any of these good areas based on my criteria of safety and things to do (parks, library, safety)?

thanks.

Lodi isn't bad. Not as great as years ago, but still decent. I am a lil bias because I grew up in a neighboring town, but I like the area: Lodi, Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Rutherford, Saddle Brook. I think it's a good area to raise a family. You'd be close to Manhattan. Not the best ride to Union, but also not the end of the world.

I like Jamesburg, that's right near Cranbury. Moneroe is REALLY nice. I don't think I understand why there would be such a cheap apartment there being as the homes are very large and expensive.