Moving to North Jersey (Paterson, Hoboken: to rent, home, best school)

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by mike0421

It could, MR, but I'll tell you what: you are leaving zero margin for error there. The 287-78 interchange sometimes has accidents, which blows that commute up. In fact, any accident along that road is going to compromise that commute. Additionally, there are sun glare considerations part of the year that you don't encounter on the south to north commutes.

Yep, and in winter it could be very brutal with the amount of trucks on 78, the elevation of the road, in fact they had to install de-icers along 78 around grandfather mountain. I know all about it. I had a girlfriend at the time in Easton, PA and did that commute to Bridgewater once or twice a week.

[steve_d_bear]

Originally Posted by NJ07035

Pequannock, Pompton Plains, Lincoln Park, Montville/Towaco/Pine Brook all have nice areas in the OP price range, good schools (athough Peq/PP are having some issues with the school board) and are quick rides to Paterson.

Montville and Towaco are very nice, also parts of Boonton.

[marye711]

Originally Posted by steve_d_bear

Montville and Towaco are very nice, also parts of Boonton.

Yeah but then you have Boonton High School which isnt exactly that great.

[Bri0528]

We have been researching Montville!

[gradstudent77]

How about this house in glen rock?

New Jersey MLS

Njmls.com has ten houses listed for under $500,000 in that town alone. That's listed prices, subtract at least 15% for a final price. According to the nj monthly list, glen rock high is no.6 in the state. The commute would be around 15 mins by car depending on where he works in paterson and where the house is in glen rock. Same can be said for ridgewood which has a hs ranked at 24, a slightly longer commute and a dozen houses listed under 500k. There are plenty of houses in your price range, with great schools that are really close to your husband's job.

I don't mean to go off on a tangent but I loathe people who take on loooooong car commutes just so they can have an extra 100 ft of yard space, an extra bathroom or whatever.

[colmcma]

I am a realtor in North Jersey and live and work in Pequannock Township/ Pompton Plains. There are some good deals around town, I just listed a nice Bi Level in very desired area and took a contract in 8 days, it was priced to sell. You may like Kinnelon, Butler, taxes are pretty reasonable in Morris County. If you would like some homes sent to you, please email me direct. I would love to help you out.
Thanks, Colleen
http://www.ColleenMcMahon
http://www.NorthJerseyRealtor.com
Century 21 Crest Real Estate
973-646-7419

[Bri0528]

Oooh that is a nice house in Glen Rock and it was an area we were considering. That and Ridgewood. But I have heard some conflicting advice about Bergen County. Also the fact that if we sell this house we would take a big hit. When we bought this house, my husband was working out of Philly and had only a 15-20 minute commute. That quickly changed though. We thought about renting out this house we have now but dont think with owning this house we would qualify for another mortgage. So we are now debating renting this one and renting one up in north Jersey!?

Colleen- We are interested in that area. We want my husbands commute to be under 30 minutes to Paterson and have a great school district. We are still debating renting vs owning.

Anyone know anything about the Caldwells or fairfield? We were also looking into the Livingston area, including Summit, Short Hills, Chatam...........

[mattjd]

I love all these answers talking about which areas people are moving from. To be honest, people are moving out of NJ totally. The progression goes like this...move from the midwest to NYC, then get taxed insanely, so you move to Hoboken, then move to Paramus, then morristown, then finally PA for the cheaper housing and taxes. I suggest you beat the rush and move to Ohio. That will be the commute to NYC within 10 years.

But seriously...Nutley, go with Nutley.

[Bri0528]

Well we dont have the option to move out of NJ. Where is Nutley? Bergen county?

[gradstudent77]

Originally Posted by Bri0528

Well we dont have the option to move out of NJ. Where is Nutley? Bergen county?

Nutley is in Essex county. Use wikipedia and you can find all sorts of handy info about the towns in nj (or, anywhere).