I need advice on moving to new jersey (Fort Lee, Rutherford: rentals, low crime) - City-Data Forum

liby06 · 10-12-2008, 08:45 PM

Hi! I am in my mid twenties and married and have 3 kids, we are relocating to New Jersey in May 08 I want to live in an afforable area with low crime rate great schools(very important) and one more I will be needed to travel to nyc at least 3-4 times a week. any advice is usefull for out move in the spring, oh we are moving from Corpus Christi,TX....long way from home!

judithexit · 10-12-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liby06

Hi! I am in my mid twenties and married and have 3 kids, we are relocating to New Jersey in May 08 I want to live in an afforable area with low crime rate great schools(very important) and one more I will be needed to travel to nyc at least 3-4 times a week. any advice is usefull for out move in the spring, oh we are moving from Corpus Christi,TX....long way from home!

i got a place woodbridge ,sayreville, east brunswick , edison all with in 39 mins of NYC

emstee22 · 10-12-2008, 09:08 PM

i would say look into middlesex county?

east/south brunswick, sayreville, piscataway are just some suggestions, i would try to offer more but i need more details. what kind of price range are you looking at? public transportation or driving yourself to nyc? any activities or businesses you'll be looking for?

BobKovacs · 10-13-2008, 04:58 AM

You've got to define "affordable". If you want low crime, great schools, and a convenient commute to NYC, be prepared to pay $300k+ for a small 3br cape, or $400-500k for something newer/larger.

liby06 · 10-13-2008, 08:53 AM

sorry guys i guess I wasnt detailed enough about my needs, we will be renting for the meanwhile not wanting to spend more than 3k monthly for at least 3 bedrooms, i have a lil girl that will be in 2nd grade by the time we move and a son will be starting kindergarden, I will be bring my car so i will need parking at my place, I work form home so i will be keeping my 1 year old with me, my husband will have to be the one driving where ever he finds a job I will be needed to commute to NYC at least 3 times a week, but I will not be driving, i have been looking into Fort Lee area, any advise? Also my husband is a maintenance Tech any big companies close he should be looking at into trying to get a job?

EANJ · 10-13-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liby06

sorry guys i guess I wasnt detailed enough about my needs, we will be renting for the meanwhile not wanting to spend more than 3k monthly for at least 3 bedrooms, i have a lil girl that will be in 2nd grade by the time we move and a son will be starting kindergarden, I will be bring my car so i will need parking at my place, I work form home so i will be keeping my 1 year old with me, my husband will have to be the one driving where ever he finds a job I will be needed to commute to NYC at least 3 times a week, but I will not be driving, i have been looking into Fort Lee area, any advise? Also my husband is a maintenance Tech any big companies close he should be looking at into trying to get a job?

Fort Lee is great. But that's besides the point. Unless you have friends here, or can come up to NJ for a few decent trips -- do as much research as you can, rent a place for a year and spend the year learning about NJ. Then you can make some educated and informed decisions about where you want to make a home for your family. Good luck!!!

liby06 · 10-13-2008, 09:36 AM

thank you! so one major question how are the shcools in fort lee?
and the crime?

EEEPNJ · 10-13-2008, 09:58 AM

Go to greatschools.net and schooldigger.com and you can get a better idea about schools.

Ft. Lee is more urban, just so you know. It also has a very large Korean population and many stores, shops are now Korean (this is not a good or bad thing, just the way it is in Ft. Lee) It is not high crime, but it's higher crime than a lot of other towns in NJ. I think being right over the bridge is a problem with that (on the other side is Washinton Heights in NYC... not the best area) and also the motels on Rt 4 are notorious for bringing crime into the town.

If you only have to go to the city 3x per week and hubby has not found work yet you can look around more.

Do you want to take a train or bus into the city when you need to go?

What are you looking for in a community other than low crime and good schools? Walkabilty, suburb/urban/more rural, downtown, trainstation, diverse, hospitals, etc?

liby06 · 10-13-2008, 10:10 AM

I would be fine with being 30-45 min from the city as long as my husband can find a job close to home,I would like to live somewhere where the population is 50k-75k i want to travel into the city the cheapest way? yes walkabilty close stores, grocery,shopping,good restraunts, ect....

EEEPNJ · 10-13-2008, 11:24 AM

I think you should look at Rutherford. Nice town, lots of rentals, decent main street, lots of restaurants, shops, ice cream parlors, bakeries... parks. Good rec program. Good schools. Train and easy commute to NYC. Close to Rt. 17 and Rt. 3 as well as easy access to NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway is not far, so wherever hubby is working you'll be in ok shape. Good town spirit, lots of nice town activities (Hambeltonian Parade, Labor Day Festival, Multi-Cultural Festival, Holiday Festivals etc.) Nice Churches (if you are interested) and a strong community. I think you should check it out:

The Borough of Rutherford New Jersey