Nice, safe, affluent town house community in West Orange (Newark: apartment complex, condos)

[kingkrugman]

My wife and I are interested in moving into a townhouse. West Orange seems to have nice houses, but I am wary about the town, since it borders some really bad areas. I am also concerned because the town's demographic information does not match up favorably with other towns in the area like Livingston or Montclair. I would appreciate any recommendations for town house communities that would be pleasant and safe for a young Jewish professional couple. Gated communities are preferred, but not necessary.

Also, are there nice shops, restaurants, etc near the nicer parts of town, and are these nicer areas mostly frequented by the people living in those areas? I hate to sound like a snob, but safety is important, and if anything we may be more skittish than most people. Thank you for your advice.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by kingkrugman

My wife and I are interested in moving into a townhouse. West Orange seems to have nice houses, but I am wary about the town, since it borders some really bad areas. I am also concerned because the town's demographic information does not match up favorably with other towns in the area like Livingston or Montclair. I would appreciate any recommendations for town house communities that would be pleasant and safe for a young Jewish professional couple. Gated communities are preferred, but not necessary.

Also, are there nice shops, restaurants, etc near the nicer parts of town, and are these nicer areas mostly frequented by the people living in those areas? I hate to sound like a snob, but safety is important, and if anything we may be more skittish than most people. Thank you for your advice.

About Llewellyn Park

[mumra]

I don’t know your budget but there are new luxury condos being built off Northfield ave across the street from the JCC (Jewish community center) starting at a little over 1mil. Llewellyn Park which is a gated community and the most exclusive area in all of West Orange has some excellent values check out MLS #'s 2630468.
The most exclusive restaurants are the Manor & Highlawn Pavilion. The Pleasantdale Chateau and Mayfair Farms only hosts special events. The Wilshire Grand hotel which houses Primavera Restaurant is a step in the right direction for West Orange. Wholefoods and Shoprite are you major grocery stores.
As I have mentioned before West Orange has seen better days and the schools performance continue to drop year after year with high taxes and shady parts of towns it may be beneficial to look elsewhere. Hope this helps.

[Newarkbomb]

West Orange has killer poperty taxes, but the town overall is a very nice, safe town. It's safer than Montclair and Montclair is a tad bit more diverse, so I don't know what the "demographics" comment was about when compared to Livingston and Montclair.
I heard West Orange or South Orange if I'm not correct has a good sized Jewish population also.

Godd Luck!

[EB2]

Originally Posted by Newarkbomb

West Orange has killer poperty taxes, but the town overall is a very nice, safe town. It's safer than Montclair and Montclair is a tad bit more diverse, so I don't know what the "demographics" comment was about when compared to Livingston and Montclair.
I heard West Orange or South Orange if I'm not correct has a good sized Jewish population also.

Godd Luck!

Both have a decent amount of Jewish people.

I meant to post last night, but for whatever reason, I couldn't.

WO isn't all that bad. It can be rougher towards Orange, but as a whole, is quite a nice town. I've gone walking at 11 PM many, many times, in the St. Cloud section, and have never been bothered (if anything, those that are out [walking their dogs], say hello to me). I love West Orange.

Like Newarkbomb said, HIGH property taxes, but that's the norm with Essex.

[nykstevenyg]

People forget the valley (By Orange) is not that big and is a small in contrast with the town. West Orange is much safer then South Orange or Montclair. Except for the valley section the town is just as safe as Livingston, Millburn, Roseland pretty much any nice town in West Essex.
Btw dont be scared about the 2 murders in 2007 in Jersey City some gang had beef of some sort and they went up 280 got off the highway hid in the Hutton terrace apartment complex and were found by the gang and shot and killed. Everyone involved had nothing to do with West Orange, that crime could of happened anywhere with highways.