job in New York, need EXCELLENT NJ schools (Newark, Hoboken: buyers, live)

[Lusitan]

Originally Posted by seque5tra

If he takes the PATH train to the 9th St. station, it would only be a half mile walk to Broadway and 3rd St...an easy 10-minute stroll.

More like 15 minutes, but yeah it's not a bad walk.

The issue is getting from wherever he lives to the 9th St. PATH station. That's going to require either a connection at Newark and then Journal Square (if he takes the train from hometown) or driving to one of the PATH stations (which opens up a whole other can of worms in terms of adding a drive to the daily commute).

But you're point is well-taken, there are other options besides NJ Transit rail, including bus, ferry, and PATH train from NJ. For that matter, there's also Metro-North from Westchester NY, or CT.

[seque5tra]

Originally Posted by Lusitan

More like 15 minutes, but yeah it's not a bad walk.

Once he's mastered the frenzied NYC commuter championship speedwalking race pace he'll be able to make it in 10 minutes, no problem.

[Lusitan]

Originally Posted by seque5tra

Once he's mastered the frenzied NYC commuter championship speedwalking race pace he'll be able to make it in 10 minutes, no problem.

Yeah, I could do it in 10 (and sounds like you can as well) but when I give advice I try to remember that not everyone is able to walk at a crazy NYC pace.

[hrjersey]

Renting isn't a bad idea but if you have kids that are already school age then it's best to spend the time now doing the research because you don't want to have the kids have to move again in a year. Even if you stay in the same town and buy this could mean a different elementary school.

Personally I don't think South Orange & Maplewood have schools that compare to Cranford, Westfield, Short Hills or Millburn. I don't know much about Montclair.

[mezzo]

Glen Rock and Ridgewood both have excellent schools and they are both very family friendly and desirable towns (most homes are on the market for less than a month). My husband works in Manhattan and the commute is 35 min by train.

[EEEPNJ]

I agree - give up on the idea of 35-40 min commute if you want GOOD schools in NJ.

[gradstudent77]

Budget?

[ira]

Originally Posted by mezzo

Glen Rock and Ridgewood both have excellent schools and they are both very family friendly and desirable towns (most homes are on the market for less than a month). My husband works in Manhattan and the commute is 35 min by train.

Not from Ridgewood. 7:03 (am) is the fastest train which makes 2 stops between Ridgewood and Secaucus and it takes 45 min to get to Penn Station (with the transfer). If you take this train from the Radburn station, then 35 min is possible (if there are no delays).

[clevedark]

Top close-in towns on train lines are: Ridgewood, Montclair, Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn, Short Hills and Summit.

Some will argue that Montclair, Maplewood and South Orange should not qualify because they are integrated suburbs and the schools have a 50/50 population split between black and white students.

The most vibrant downtowns are Ridgewood and Montclair. Millburn and Summit have downtowns that are almost a little too upscale to be totally user-friendly (lots of interior decorators in Summit, for example). Short Hills has virtually no town center. South Orange and Maplewood downtowns are about the same size, but Maplewood's is much more pleasing and cozy somehow.

Good luck and welcome to NJ.

[musicchick581]

Originally Posted by lagourmande

Hi, my husband just got a new job in New York, and we're moving from Chicago. We'll be living in New Jersey, with our kids, and want to find a town with great schools, within about a half hour to 45 minute train ride to Midtown. Ideally, it would also be a place with a vibrant and pretty atmosphere of its own, and kid-friendly. Any suggestions, even for specific elementary schools? Thanks!

New Jersey is rated #6 or 7 on education in the nation. I believe Massachusetts is near the top or at the top. Monmouth county is a train ride away from the city and has great schools, beaches and lots of green! I live and teach here. Check it out! County of Monmouth

Oh and by the way-an hour by train to midtown. If you go northern Monmouth County by Little Silver, Middletown, Shrewsbury, Fair Haven, Rumson (if you have money), Holmdel (again if you have money), they all have great schools and are greener than northern NJ. They are more "suburbian" in their feel.
Somerset in Somerset County a bit more north and west is nice too and about 45 minutes by train to NYC. But in my opinion Monmouth County is nicest-of course that's because I grew up here so I'm biased.