Rent/ Buy b/w Florham Park and Manhattan (Edison, Maplewood: to rent, buying a house)

[citystarz]

My wife works in Florham Park and I work in the city.
We would like to start out by renting and eventually buy.
What would be good areas to rent first- preferably close to a city we end up buying a house in. Should be close to NYC transit. We also travel a lot to Staten island on weekends.
Our budget is 1600/mth. Have no kids but would eventually buy in a good school district.
Cities with good mix of cultures. We are asian-indians.
Any towns with new construction?

Thanks much!

[JamesBoyer]

I would suggest staying out of Essex County as the taxes are just too high. Look at Summit, Chatham Boro, Madison. Be aware, non of those towns will issue you a parking permit for their train station if you do not live in the town. Chatham currently has a 4 year waiting list to get parking permits as well so if you picked that town be within walking distance of the train if possible.

Depending on what you are hoping to rent, be aware that rents are not cheep.

[clevedark]

The towns listed above aren't noted for having a diverse mix of cultures. Bergen County tends to be the most ethnically diverse in my opinion, but I've only had experience with Closter and Haworth.

I lived in Maplewood, which was diverse, but only in terms of black and white and jewish and christian--very few asians.

Someone will suggest Edison, which is very popular with Indians. It might not be too bad in terms of your travel requirements. I haven't spent any time there so I can't say anything else about it!