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Once a very quiet bedroom community, North Brunswick has fallen into the "build on whatever open space you see" trend. On the plus side, everything you need is here: a ghettofied Wal-mart, big box stores and shopping centers that dot Route 1 and Route 27, and higher end shopping such as the Shoppes of North Brunswick which just opened last October. All that we need is a Costco or Penney's and we're set. The former Johnson and Johnson campus is supposedly going to be transformed into a "transit village" type of area where shops and homes will be soon to be built--it's currently in the negotiation stages, however nothing new has been heard for some time.
There are quite a few developments, and most are nice, however steer clear of the New Brunswick and Franklin Township borders. The township is in dire need of another elemenary school to accomodate students on the Route 130 side of town, however, new additions are being added to all the schools, from elementary to the high school. The middle school is the size of what the high school was a decade ago, and the high school is one HUGE mother--it's very eary to get "lost" both physically and emotionally in that place.
Taxes, of course, are out of control.
Considering the type of house you want, be prepared to spend AT LEAST $500,00 and that's for an older style home. The newer homes that might accomodate you cost more--but guess what--chances are they've been for sale for quite some time or in foreclosure in this town. Behind the Wal-Mart there was supposed to be 6 homes built, with only the 1 built as the "showcase" home. It took forever to sell that house, and it's already on the market again. I think the plans for the other homes have been scrapped as it's been over 3 years since there's been any activity.
If you're not too picky about location, I 'd go for a condo in the Bernanrds/Basking Ridge area in Somerset county. Same taxes, but schools are better, although you'll have to deal with the "Snotty Somerset" attitude
North Brunswick is a nice area and I think the new transit village will help with resale values (if it actually ever happens). I heard the schools were getting worse, but I can't speak to that firsthand. I personally like the Renaissance Area. You're also close to RT 1, 130, & 27, and can easily get to the NJ Turnpike.
people are complaining about traffic if transit village do gets build on the j and j site.
right now they are spending millions on feasibility study.
i doubt its ever going to happen, North brunswick has least amount of %open space compared to similar towns and even without station that part of the road is jam pack most of the day, it would be nightmare if they have train station in that area
i think the station should be somewhere near rt 130 park and ride, and from there a dinky train can take you to interchange in monmouth junction
The location is good since it has alot to offer along route 1. I did hear about problems w/the school system though. I have friends who live there & they ended up homeschooling b/c they can't stand the school system.
I live in East Brunswick & I travel there for some of the shops. The newer village shops are really nice. But i can't stand going to the Walmart there. It's very ghetto.
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