Moving to Jersey. Lots of questions! (Montclair, Hoboken: apartment, to rent, townhouse)

[bming1]

I'll be moving to Jersey sometime in the next few weeks and will be working in Florham Park. I am planning to rent and would appreciate any advice on areas within a reasonable commute (up to 45 minutes, even in traffic) that are safe, close to mass transit into the city and ideally, close to shops and restaurants. My budget is approximately $1600. I would appreciate it if you could provide a recommendation for a place that fits those criteria. Funky, off-the-wall neighborhoods are definitely our preference! Schools are not important, as we don't have kids yet. I currently live in North Carolina, and am sure that there are lots of costs that I've not considered when creating my budget, so any advice about what I should consider before making the move would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[solibs]

your price will probably get you what you're looking for. I'm not from that part of NJ but I have a feeling most people will point you towards Morristown.
You didn't mention your housing preference. House, townhouse, garden apartment, high-rise?

[DowntownJerseyCity]

Mo'town, and Montclair are your best bets. 1600 will get you a nice place.

[cassiemarie102682]

Good luck finding a 45 min commute in nj.....it may supposed to take 45 mins but almost always it is at least 60 mins, more like 90 mins.......traffic in jersey its everywhere and it sucks!!!!

[EB2]

Originally Posted by HobokenGuy

Mo'town, and Montclair are your best bets. 1600 will get you a nice place.

I second that.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by bming1

I'll be moving to Jersey sometime in the next few weeks and will be working in Florham Park. I am planning to rent and would appreciate any advice on areas within a reasonable commute (up to 45 minutes, even in traffic) that are safe, close to mass transit into the city and ideally, close to shops and restaurants. My budget is approximately $1600. I would appreciate it if you could provide a recommendation for a place that fits those criteria. Funky, off-the-wall neighborhoods are definitely our preference! Schools are not important, as we don't have kids yet. I currently live in North Carolina, and am sure that there are lots of costs that I've not considered when creating my budget, so any advice about what I should consider before making the move would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Check some apts in the Madison/Chatham, NJ area. There are some on Rt 124.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Check some apts in the Madison/Chatham, NJ area. There are some on Rt 124.

A friend of mine lives in Madison, just off from Drew University, and that area is EXTREMELY nice. I haven't been there in a while but I remember some really nice shops and a nice town square type of area around 124. Hard to go wrong around there so long as you can afford it.

[hrjersey]

You could also consider South Orange and Maplewood ...not sure what the rents will get you but you can walk to the train and be in Midtown in about 30 minutes.

There are also some apts. in Springfield that border Millburn. Millburn also has a train station.

All of these towns are well within 45 minutes of Florham Park (about 30 mins. with traffic) and you don't need to get on a highway to get there.

[Obrero]

No point in going further away than Morristown or Madison. Both have cute downtowns and your commute will be a breeze.

[ottomobeale]

"Even in traffic" is a no go. This is NJ. Land of traffic. Adjust your expectations.

The definitions of short and long commute are just different here than the majority of the country.