Bloomfield Going Downhill? (Newark, Clifton, East Orange: condo, houses, landscaping)

[SenorDee]

Hi All,

I currently live in a condo in Hoboken and am considering selling soon and moving to Bloomfield (specifically, the Brookdale area, and as close to the park as possible). I've detected a bit of an undercurrent on some of these threads that Bloomfield has gone downhill in the past 10 years or so. Is that true? I've seen the south side of town and the "downtown" area, and yeah, they're not the classiest areas I've ever seen, but is the whole town really going downhill? Are the middle and high schools really that bad? Like, are they dangerous for the kids or are the teachers just not very good? The reason I ask is because I would hate to pay $400-$425k for a nice house in Brookdale then see the property value remain stagnant over the next 5 years or so b/c parts of the town get a bad rap. Or is the Brookdale part of town insulated from any of this?

I would really appreciate any info you could give on this, as it's obviously a big decision for my wife and I. Thanks so much...Senor

[Calico696]

The Brookdale section is still nice. The rest of Bloomfield started going downhill about 15 years ago. The South end that boarders East Orange, Newark and Belleville is quite scary these days.

[EEEPNJ]

Calico is right. The majority of Bloomfield ain't what it used to be. Brookdale is nice though.

[rhc3]

Brookdale or the Oakview section is still very nice and very safe. I go jogging around these neighborhoods all the time after 10pm and never had a problem. Also if you plan on moving to the Oakview section a lot of your neighbors are police officers.

[Spincycle]

I went to downtown Bloomfield on Sunday in the vicinity of the NJ Transit train station (on the Montclair MTD line to NYC). The area has turned into A TOTAL DUMP - WASTELAND. And indeed it has changed!!!! Back in late 80s we used to go ova there from Bergen County and cruise w/our cars and then in college we played some flag football games at Watsessing Park too (early-mid 90s).

The only section that is still OK is by the park adjacent to Montclair. If I needed the park I'd prefer to live in Clifton or Montclair.

Originally Posted by SenorDee

I currently live in a condo in Hoboken and am considering selling soon and moving to Bloomfield (specifically, the Brookdale area, and as close to the park as possible).

Why move, why Bloomfield, why not stay in Hoboken?

Originally Posted by SenorDee

The reason I ask is because I would hate to pay $400-$425k for a nice house in Brookdale then see the property value remain stagnant over the next 5 years or so b/c parts of the town get a bad rap. Or is the Brookdale part of town insulated from any of this?

And you are forgetting that its ESSEX CO. - HIGH TAXES, TAXES SUPPORT NEWARK, AND YOU WILL BE TOO CLOSE TO NEWARK. IF TAXES KEEP RISING, NEWARK KEEPS SPREADING OUT, AND SCHOOLS GET WORSE YOUR PROPERTY WILL NOT GO UP IMO.

FORGET BLOOMFIELD. STAY PUT OR LOOK ELSEWHERE.

[pixieshmoo]

Brookdale section is beautiful, however, the downside is, it's surrounded by the rest of Bloomfield.

[SenorDee]

"Why move, why Bloomfield, why not stay in Hoboken?"

My reasons for leaving Hoboken are basically two-fold. 1) Getting sick of having people live on all sides of me (the thrill of "city living" has worn thin) and 2) Just want a place with a small yard that I can grow into with a family.

The reason we're thinking Bloomfield is that, while we originally liked Montclair, we just find that we can get more for our money in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, and the feel is the same. Same goes for Glen Ridge. MC and GR both are GORGEOUS and have houses the right size for us (3br/small yard so not a lot of landscaping) but they seem to go for $50-75k more than a similar house in Bloomfield (and have slightly higher taxes). We love the Brookdale neighborhood around the park and it seems very safe and family-friendly and community oriented. If I'm wrong, somebody please let me know now!!!!

Anyone have any other suggestions? Oh, and I need an easy commute into the city. Thanks! -rick

[yblfd]

Originally Posted by SenorDee

"Why move, why Bloomfield, why not stay in Hoboken?"

The reason we're thinking Bloomfield is that, while we originally liked Montclair, we just find that we can get more for our money in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, and the feel is the same. Same goes for Glen Ridge. MC and GR both are GORGEOUS and have houses the right size for us (3br/small yard so not a lot of landscaping) but they seem to go for $50-75k more than a similar house in Bloomfield (and have slightly higher taxes). We love the Brookdale neighborhood around the park and it seems very safe and family-friendly and community oriented. If I'm wrong, somebody please let me know now!!!!

Bloomfield Elementary schools are good, especially Brookdale. The problems are the middle and high schools, unless you plan on private schools.

Taxes went up again just recently and are beyond out of hand. There's also a property tax reassessment coming up. That's something you really want to keep in mind.

[brookdaleresident]

Yes taxes are high. but Brookdale area is also surrounded by Montclair, Upper Montclair, and Clifton. There's nothing wrong with the middle and high schools. The kids from Oakview and Brookdale (as well as some from other schools) excel there. It depends on the family, not just the school. Any child can be successful if the efoort and parental support is there. There are a number of homes on the market near Brookdale Park. They'll probably be closer to $400k. Montclair and Glen Ridge houses are more expensive and taxes considerably higher.

[pixieshmoo]

Originally Posted by SenorDee

"Why move, why Bloomfield, why not stay in Hoboken?"


Anyone have any other suggestions? Oh, and I need an easy commute into the city. Thanks! -rick
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Try Nutley