Best of these three - New Providence, Berk. Heights, Livingston (Summit: neighborhood, to buy)

[nsivakr]

Guys,

I'm a South Indian (Tamil speaking) and wondering which of these areas are the best to buy a property for the long run.

New Providence
Berkley Heights
Livingston

I've a small kid (3 year old) and would like to live in a place for the long run.

So considering all these factors, which would is an ideal place to live.

Any suggestions would be excellent.

Thanks

[NJNJNJ]

I live in Berkeley Heights - but I think all three towns are really great and school systems are in the same league. I like Berkeley Heights because of the location and it is a little less congested than places like Livingston - but it all depends what your preferences are.

These towns are predominantly caucasin with Livingston having a large Jewish population and BH having a large italien population. There are several families in my neighborhood of asian descent, two of them are indian, and it seems like everyone gets along really nice. One of my friends is Indian and another Hispanic who live in Berkeley Heights and they both have very positive things to say about the town as well. I consider New Providence to be very similar to Berkeley Heights.

I think Livingston might be considered more upscale than the other two towns, so resale value might be better there. I choose Berkeley Heights because the people seem to be more down to earth and a little less showy (I know that can be hard to find in these surronding towns and some people will laugh at my comment. I wanted to distance myself from Short Hills mall a little bit). It all depends on what you are looking for....I wanted a nice family community that values education, hard work, and realize there is more than $. (Example: several of my friends do very well for themselves, but you would not know it by meeting them because they live pretty beneath their means.)

[kalim2008]

All three towns are relatively well-off, with Livingston being the wealthiest, then Berkeley Heights, then NP.

All three have large populations of Asians, with Livingston having the most (15%), and NP and BH both having 7%...these are all above the nhational average....Asians in Livingston would be mostly Chinese I think, not Indian, but I could be wrong.

We were also looking at BH in that area last year when we were looking for a home, but for some reason were more impressed with Watchung.

[nsivakr]

I'm more interested in making friends forever more like family members. So, which city would you recommend?

I live in Woodbridge and my wife works in Summit. So, I'm leaning towards BK and NH but I don't know anyone who lives there.

So, is it easy to make friends in that neighborhood?

[NJNJNJ]

I think BH and NP are both great places to make friends.

My immediate neighbors are very friendly and I chat with them from time to time and we have neighborhood street parties and stuff - but I have not been able to attend yet. We have tried to make plans and they are always offering to help with different things - this summer I think I will become more close with them. (I moved here 10 months ago and was not really around in the summer last year).

Through taking exercise classes at the rec center and now at Lifetime fitness, I have made several friends, one a very close friend...so from speaking from personal experience, as long as you are friendly and try to meet people, you should be able to find some great friendships. I had the same goals/ ideas in mind when looking for a community (just no kids yet .

[joy_eq]

Just based on my personal experience, the people in NP and BH are a lot friendlier and down-to-earth than people in Livingston.

I also don't care for the heavy traffic around Livingston. NP and BH have good shopping areas and they are also close to Summit.

[nsivakr]

Thanks a ton. Really appreciate to you all.