Towns with good yard/lawn space? (Bergen/Passaic/Essex/Morris Counties) (Wayne: house, neighborhoods)

[sunnysider]

I have recently started scoping out potential places to move to in New Jersey. In driving around, I have noticed that a lot of the neighborhoods I was interested in appear to have lots that are very tightly packed with only a token amount of lawn space. To provide a frame of reference: I have visited Montclair and River Edge, and I consider them to be crowded with minimal lawns.

What communities in Bergen/Passaic/Essex/Morris counties have lots that allow size for a reasonably large yard? By reasonably large, I mean big enough to play a game of touch football or for a dog to sprint around a bit. I drove through North Caldwell, and lots there appear to be a good size. It also looks like Mountainside near Summit has some decent space. Also maybe some parts of Chatham?

Generally I would be looking for a place where a 3BR/1.5+BA would be available for less than $500,000 and with good schools. So I would have to exclude anywhere where you need a $1 million home to have a big yard.

[tallguylehigh]

There are tons of spaces in Morris county where you could get a 3 bedroom, 1.5+ bath home on acreage. For a lot of space, I would start in Parsippany, Montville, Rockaway, Roxbury, Randolph, and Boonton Twp. Look out by Chester and Long Valley for large yards and good schools.

For my recommendations I would suggest LV, Chester, Randolph, or Boonton Twp- they all have good to great schools.

You will not find space like these places offer in Essex, Bergen or Passaic. You might, MIGHT get lucky in Livingston, but thats tough to find.

Good luck

[Newarkbomb]

Mahwah, Ridgewood, Wycoff, Boonton, Ringwood.. there's plenty.

The very expensive towns are the ones that have them.

-
Paramus is actually one that comes to mind that is semi affordable. MANY parks and nice sized homes with nice sized yards.

[gradstudent77]

Why wouldnt you just go the park for those activites?

[tahiti]

where's work?

[zhelder]

Originally Posted by sunnysider

I have recently started scoping out potential places to move to in New Jersey. In driving around, I have noticed that a lot of the neighborhoods I was interested in appear to have lots that are very tightly packed with only a token amount of lawn space. To provide a frame of reference: I have visited Montclair and River Edge, and I consider them to be crowded with minimal lawns.

What communities in Bergen/Passaic/Essex/Morris counties have lots that allow size for a reasonably large yard? By reasonably large, I mean big enough to play a game of touch football or for a dog to sprint around a bit. I drove through North Caldwell, and lots there appear to be a good size. It also looks like Mountainside near Summit has some decent space. Also maybe some parts of Chatham?

Generally I would be looking for a place where a 3BR/1.5+BA would be available for less than $500,000 and with good schools. So I would have to exclude anywhere where you need a $1 million home to have a big yard.

Bwa Ha Ha. Good luck. You want space in those areas? Be prepared to drop at least a million.

You may have a shot if you move out to Way Western Morris County, or some more rural/isolated areas of Wayne, Oakland, or Mahwah. You're still probably gonna have to drop more than a 500 spot though for anything decent with space.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by zhelder

Bwa Ha Ha. Good luck. You want space in those areas? Be prepared to drop at least a million.
You may have a shot if you move out to Way Western Morris County, or some more rural/isolated areas of Wayne, Oakland, or Mahwah. You're still probably gonna have to drop more than a 500 spot though for anything decent with space.

not even close. VERY doable.

[brookdaleresident]

I sold a house last year (low 400's) with a huge yard, 3 br/2.5 baths in Bloomfield. There's a lot of affordable housing with decent size yards. Have you contacted a realtor?

[majesty318]

I second Ringwood...

[sunnysider]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses so far.

Why wouldnt you just go the park for those activites?

In my mind, the chief draw of moving out of the city is to have your own green space. If I were content to just go to the park, then I would just stay in the city and live near Prospect Park or Forest Park.

where's work?

Work is in Lower Manhattan. I guess I should have mentioned that I would like to not have to commute more than 1.5 hours to work via public transportation (park and ride is OK too). Are these western Morris county areas like Long Valley or Chester further out than that? If so, I guess maybe Ringwood or Mahwah may be a better bet if I want to be closer to work?

I sold a house last year (low 400's) with a huge yard, 3 br/2.5 baths in Bloomfield. There's a lot of affordable housing with decent size yards. Have you contacted a realtor?

This is very heartening. I would like to keep it in that range if possible. Have not contacted a realtor yet, since I am purely in recon mode for the next couple of months. Want to commit to a town or a couple of towns before getting moving with a realtor.