Ridgefield Park? Teaneck? (Trenton: fit in, 2010, renting)

[FirstTimeBuyer2009]

My fiance and I have a pretty limited budget, up to $275K, but are tired of renting and want to jump in the housing market while mortgage rates are low. We know the home may be a bit outdated in certain aspects, but we are okay with that. We are looking for a nice home though, one not in need of major repairs, 2 to 3BR, and 1.5 to 2BA.

We are looking at Ridgefield Park primarily, but are also considering Teaneck, and are unsure of what are the better areas of each town. We are looking at these towns due to their quick commute to NYC as we both work in the city.

We are not opposed to some diversity, but are also not looking to be the minority (as we are caucasian), and have experienced prejudice against us in the past for this when in areas that are too diverse.

We want to be in an area that we feel comfortable, and will not feel those looks due to our skin color, which sounds weird, but having grown up in Trenton, the feeling is all too familiar. This is one of those posts that probably sounds a bit weird since it is the reverse prejudice, but we all know it exists, so I hope that there aren't posts regarding our looking for a part of town with more caucasian people than other races.

We plan on moving to a new town once we do have children (still 5-8 years away from that), so the school districts are not a concern at this point.

Thanks for your feedback on what areas, streets, etc. to look at in these towns.

[Marc Paolella]

Originally Posted by FirstTimeBuyer2009

My fiance and I have a pretty limited budget, up to $275K, but are tired of renting and want to jump in the housing market while mortgage rates are low. We know the home may be a bit outdated in certain aspects, but we are okay with that. We are looking for a nice home though, one not in need of major repairs, 2 to 3BR, and 1.5 to 2BA.

We are looking at Ridgefield Park primarily, but are also considering Teaneck, and are unsure of what are the better areas of each town. We are looking at these towns due to their quick commute to NYC as we both work in the city.

We are not opposed to some diversity, but are also not looking to be the minority (as we are caucasian), and have experienced prejudice against us in the past for this when in areas that are too diverse.

We want to be in an area that we feel comfortable, and will not feel those looks due to our skin color, which sounds weird, but having grown up in Trenton, the feeling is all too familiar. This is one of those posts that probably sounds a bit weird since it is the reverse prejudice, but we all know it exists, so I hope that there aren't posts regarding our looking for a part of town with more caucasian people than other races.

We plan on moving to a new town once we do have children (still 5-8 years away from that), so the school districts are not a concern at this point.

Thanks for your feedback on what areas, streets, etc. to look at in these towns.

You don't want to buy now, or maybe ever. The $275,000 house you are looking for now will be $125,000 15 months from now as unemployment nears 30% and scattered rioting begins to be oberved in many towns. If you survive that, which is unlikely, inflation will further depress prices, and the $125,000 house you want to buy in 2010 will be available for $95,000 in 2013.

I have charts and graphs, so believe it. Sit on your hands and wait for the carnage. No need to buy since prices will fall 50-75% in the next 4-5 years.

-Lusitan

[JG183]

I don't think you'll find anything desirable in Teaneck given your budget.

have you driven by any streets in RP ?

[FirstTimeBuyer2009]

Originally Posted by JG183

I don't think you'll find anything desirable in Teaneck given your budget.

have you driven by any streets in RP ?

Yes Euclid, Garden, and Brinkerhoff area, and it seems quite nice. There are homes in our price range in this area, so I'm wondering thoughts on it.

[openheads]

Originally Posted by JG183

I don't think you'll find anything desirable in Teaneck given your budget.

By "desirable", he means African American...................

[TylerJAX]

Originally Posted by Marc Paolella

You don't want to buy now, or maybe ever. The $275,000 house you are looking for now will be $125,000 15 months from now as unemployment nears 30% and scattered rioting begins to be oberved in many towns. If you survive that, which is unlikely, inflation will further depress prices, and the $125,000 house you want to buy in 2010 will be available for $95,000 in 2013.

I have charts and graphs, so believe it. Sit on your hands and wait for the carnage. No need to buy since prices will fall 50-75% in the next 4-5 years.

-Lusitan

two accounts? hmm...

[sholden]

Originally Posted by TylerJAX

two accounts? hmm...

It's called mocking.

[FirstTimeBuyer2009]

Originally Posted by openheads

By "desirable", he means African American...................

I figured that. And we do not care about living next to African Americans, however, we also do not want to be the only caucasian family on our street, neighborhood, etc. We are friends with people from varying races, but even they admit it would not be well advised to live in a neighborhood as the only "minority" in this scenario.

Any thoughts on Ridgefield Park and the streets that I mentioned?

[TigerLily24]

Originally Posted by FirstTimeBuyer2009

I figured that. And we do not care about living next to African Americans, however, we also do not want to be the only caucasian family on our street, neighborhood, etc. We are friends with people from varying races, but even they admit it would not be well advised to live in a neighborhood as the only "minority" in this scenario.

Any thoughts on Ridgefield Park and the streets that I mentioned?

That's a nice area. My daughter used to live on Brinkerhoff near Euclid.
You have a choice of NYC buses - one that runs along Main and one that runs along Teaneck Rd, and the library, post office, shopping is close by as well. Also a movie theater right there on Main St.

You might also want to look in the area around the Grant School, east of Rt 46. There are some decent properties in that area as well.

The town is diverse, but I think you would fit in just fine.
Looking ahead, the schools in Ridgefield Park are actually pretty good.

Ridgefield Park Schools - Ridgefield Park New Jersey School Ratings - Public and Private

[JG183]

Originally Posted by FirstTimeBuyer2009

I figured that.

actually that's not what I meant -- I was referring to the quality/condition of the Teaneck homes in that price range...

I'll second the vote for Brinkerhoff in RP