Been renting and now thinking about owning (Newark, Irvington: schools, to live)

[Newarkbomb]

I've been renting for a while. And now i have gotten my life all in order and have a family now and now im actually thinking about finding a place to own for the first time.

Im finding pretty nice places in Hillside and Maplewood that may seem like a go.

I heard the Maplewood school system is good and the community is too. but i know about Hillside, its school system isnt great but the community is ok.

I grew up in Newark but do not really know about Maplewood. But i do know a little about Hillside

can anybody tell me stuff about Maplewood that would be worth moving to or not moving to.

Thank you.

and p.s (give me some suggestions in union to upper middlesex counties because im not familiar with that area.)
Budget= max 400,000 for 2bd+
Schools= dosn't have to be superb but not bad
Demographs= any population with a nice mix of ethnicity
other= an interratial friendly place (im white my wife is black)

[CuCullin]

So, wrt Maplewood which you mentioned.... you can do it in that budget (closer to the Irvington side, but this is *not* a bad area. If you live in Irvington, can't afford Maplewood, but want to live somewhere nicer... you move to the border of Maplewood and Irvington, if you follow me.)

The school are very good.

Its a very mixed area... it gets that "diverse" word thrown around (I hate that word. Seriously).

Most areas of NJ, imho, you are not going to have a problem that you're white and your wife is black. Maplewood is definitely an area where people won't care.