Help with Cranford and Westfield parking please... (Clifton, Orange: rent, houses)

[plume12]

I really need help regarding these 2 towns. I have a 4 yr old that starts school next year and would love for him to get into a great school district. So we decided with Cranford and Westfield. and also because of the location. My husband works in Hightstown and I work in NYC. We took a look at the neighborhoods yesterday and fell in love with them, but mostly Cranford.

My question is where is everyone parking there cars if they commute to NYC???? This is the only thing that might be stopping me from looking any further. So , can you commuters please tell me how you do it???? Also I read some of the posts saying that there like waiting list for permits for the park and ride.

Thanks

[CuCullin]

Yup, there are waiting lists. Most couples have the one who has a driving commute drop the other off. Others just walk to the train, ride a bike, whatever. Others find local small business or homeowners with nearby parking and rent from them.

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Edit
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There is a daily parking option, they charge a few bucks more ($7/day, iirc), first come, first serve, and there is a limit to the number they allow each day. The earlier you get there, the more likely you'll get a space.

[plume12]

Really???? I guess there goes my dream of moving to these towns : ( . Thanks for the information though. I will start looking at houses near the train stations, if there is any.

Thanks

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by plume12

Really???? I guess there goes my dream of moving to these towns : ( . Thanks for the information though. I will start looking at houses near the train stations, if there is any.

Thanks

To be candid, most towns in the area will be like this - anything remotely close to NYC is packed with commuters. Even out by me, High Bridge, where parking is free (same line as Westfield/Cranford, btw), you have to get there by 7am or the spots are all gone... I walk. When I lived in Westfield, I walked. First I was a block away, so I practically walked across the street to the platform, which was a breeze. Then, I lived by the library, which is obviously a significantly further walk... still pretty easy though. Gf's dad does the same walk daily, and even now, I walk to the station in High Bridge.

[plume12]

Well I live in Clifton right now. Only (12) miles from NYC. I park at the park n ride for $25.00 monthly. I catch the 6:00 am bus and I'm at Port Authority at usually 6:22 am. So I'm an early bird (that won't be a problem). I would stay where I am but the high school is over crowded and not the greatest I guess.

Well may I'll start house hunting around the train stations and check if anything is available.

Thanks

[kaday]

In Maplewood and (I think South Orange as well) there is a jitney that makes runs during rush hour all over town to the train station. It is pretty cheap.

[Hengist]

My grandfather lived in Mountain Avenue Westfield and walked to the station every day, and even worked out how many paces it was. But then growing up in England and visiting America, we were always amused by the short car journeys people took.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Hengist

My grandfather lived in Mountain Avenue Westfield and walked to the station every day, and even worked out how many paces it was. But then growing up in England and visiting America, we were always amused by the short car journeys people took.

Growing up in America and living in America, I'm even amused by the short trips people take with their cars.

[plume12]

I grew up in Manhattan and left NYC when I got married. I'm used to walking and I've walked 30 plus block when living there to get somewhere, onstead of taking a bus or the subway so walking is not a problem for me. I do have a child and I will drop him off and pick him up once school starts.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by plume12

Really???? I guess there goes my dream of moving to these towns : ( . Thanks for the information though. I will start looking at houses near the train stations, if there is any.

Thanks

A lot of the people from cranford and westfield and for that matter woodbridge commute
from Rahway , depending on where in the city you work
It is a direct train to Penn station and always plenty of parking