Metuchen or Paramus? (Newark, Ridgewood: low crime, home, best schools)

[zizi7]

Hi! I hope someone here can help with our decision.. We are planning to move to NJ from NY, and after a lot of thinking we narrowed it down to 2 towns: Metuchen and Paramus. I was able to find a lot of info here about Metuchen - nice, safe town, walkable, good schools, nice downtown etc. but almost nothing about Paramus. The reasons we like Paramus are it's taxes and a better commute for my husband (he works on the Upper East Side). Can somebody compare those towns for us? We'll be spending around $450,000. We would like a house, 3-4bdr, basement, garage. We have 2 young children, so schools are very important, safety, easy commute, and since our boys are very athletic, we need sport leagues nearby(soccer, hockey). Thanks a lot for your time!

[Fairfax Mom]

My husband grew up in Metuchen and it is a safe little town where everyone knows each other - it also has good schools and lots of activities for the children. It is a very safe town - the cops know the teenagers by name. It is known for having the best schools in the area.
I dont really know for sure but when I think of Paramas as much bigger and more urban. Metuchen is a VERY small town.

[lets_hope_for_newbruns]

rt 4 is hell hole.....i find rt 1 better...

[Unknown Memory]

Mmm.. I think it does depend on whether you want a small town or a big town, zizi. Paramus has about over 20,000 some people. We're not quite urban despite that population and two major highways (additionally, Parkway) going through it. We're a suburb borough and take some pride in being a "tree city". Paramus has a good school system and does have a sense of community. (And yes, we have some of the lowest property taxes in the country due to the malls.)

Also, you won't have to worry too much about traffic by taking local road exits in order to avoid the traffic. It's more about if you have to leave the town to get to some other town (or NYC) that you'll have to face traffic. Route 4, outside of Paramus in GW Bridge direction) has this bottle neck problem of three lanes turning into two. It's fine on non-Saturdays.

From what I read, Metuchen is one of those small town communities. It's definitely a more peaceful town due to being small.

Edit: Sorry if this contains some typos. I'm typing this up sleepily.

[zhelder]

I know much more about Paramus than Metuchen, but I'll give what input I can. The towns are pretty similar on the socioeconomic scale - solidly upper middle class, but not quite able to roll with the fanciest towns in the state. Both are great towns - safe, low crime (at least in the residential areas in Paramus, the crazy crime figures you see for Paramus are all pretty much because of shoplifting and other property crimes at the malls), very good schools.

I will tell you though, 450K will be a MAJOR stretch to get a home in Paramus. Your dollar will definitely go further in Metuchen.

The huge retail base in Paramus does tend to keep the taxes slightly lower than in comparable towns in the area. (Don't get too excited, they're still plenty expensive.)

Metuchen is smaller and has a bit more of a quaint feeling.

I hate Rt. 4 and Rt. 17, but I'll take them over Rt. 1 any day.

Even though traffic is a pain, it is nice to be able to go to virtually any store you can imaging in just a few minutes in Paramus.

Both are good choices. Being a Bergen County man, I'm slightly biased towards Paramus, but I'm sure Metuchen is great too (and it will be more affordable).

[stevemorse]

grew up in Paramus, went to Paramus H.S. , schools were good. Parents still live in Paramus, its a good choice.

[Thosepeskyfacts]

It won't be particularly pleasant to get to the Upper East Side from either place, though. The OP did mention that's where her spouse would be working.

[Newarkbomb]

Paramus is great because it's the shopping mecca of the NYC Metro besides NYC itself but traffic comes along with it.. The GSP and RT17 can get disastrous during morning and evening hours because of work, school, and just shopping. But your husband will have to shoot up the Turnpike 95 if you chose Metuchen which is also bad if not worst.

I'd go with Paramus... It has parks, good schools, malls, and near NYC, it's just beter off to lean towards Paramus because it's a whole lot closer.
Your husband is lookin at a 45min-1hr or more commute (depending on traffic) if you choose Metuchen
Or He can be looking at 25min-45min or more commute (depending on Traffic) coming from Paramus

[ira]

Originally Posted by lets_hope_for_newbruns

rt 4 is hell hole.....i find rt 1 better...

True but once you move here you learn the beauty of local roads. I live in Ridgewood and almost never drive on Rt 17 or 4. Anywhere I need to go (with the exception of few stores), I can get there locally.

[Thosepeskyfacts]

Originally Posted by Newarkbomb

Paramus is great because it's the shopping mecca of the NYC Metro besides NYC itself but traffic comes along with it.. The GSP and RT17 can get disastrous during morning and evening hours because of work, school, and just shopping. But your husband will have to shoot up the Turnpike 95 if you chose Metuchen which is also bad if not worst.

I'd go with Paramus... It has parks, good schools, malls, and near NYC, it's just beter off to lean towards Paramus because it's a whole lot closer.
Your husband is lookin at a 45min-1hr or more commute (depending on traffic) if you choose Metuchen
Or He can be looking at 25min-45min or more commute (depending on Traffic) coming from Paramus

Your estimates to get to the Upper East Side from either location in rush hour are both on the low side.