Verona, West Orange and Caldwell: HELP! (Bloomfield, Montclair: apartments, to rent, condo)

[Caro257]

Guys I need some help. I am viewing possible properties and need hones true answers.
First is in Verona at Green Acres Drive, second is West Orange at 43 Conforti Avenue, and third is in Caldwell at Roseland Ave.

I need to know what buses run through those towns(and how much is the bus to the City), how long is the commute to the City, and which one is better to live in as to the parks, quiet areas and are the most family friendly. Is there a way to find out prior property increases for these specific apartments?

I don’t have much time to decide and am a bit confused about the issues so please help me brainstorm!

[mumra]

All I know about is the one located at conforti ave. That is next to the high school and it will not be quiet on school days, especially when the school has sports events. Look elsewhere if you want piece and quiet. But i can image the rent is probably cheaper.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by Caro257

Guys I need some help. I am viewing possible properties and need hones true answers.
First is in Verona at Green Acres Drive, second is West Orange at 43 Conforti Avenue, and third is in Caldwell at Roseland Ave.

I need to know what buses run through those towns(and how much is the bus to the City),

New Jersey Transit - Home

how long is the commute to the City,

Depends on what part of the city. From Verona, I'd probably go with the Bloomfield Avenue bus to Montclair njtransit station.

[nykstevenyg]

I am not sure about the bus times for these towns. As someone said before the conforti ave apartments are behind the high school but they are near 2 parks. There are a lot of buses in West Orange that go to the city same with Verona on bloomfield avenue. Caldwell would be the worst for the commute, West Orange and Verona are a toss up. Go with the better value.

[Caro257]

Originally Posted by nykstevenyg

I am not sure about the bus times for these towns. As someone said before the conforti ave apartments are behind the high school but they are near 2 parks. There are a lot of buses in West Orange that go to the city same with Verona on bloomfield avenue. Caldwell would be the worst for the commute, West Orange and Verona are a toss up. Go with the better value.

And they aren't that cheap either. I like the location of the one in Verona, right by the park but am not too happy of the condo itself. I guess I need to compromise. Thanks.

[MaverickDD]

Originally Posted by Caro257

Guys I need some help. I am viewing possible properties and need hones true answers.
First is in Verona at Green Acres Drive, second is West Orange at 43 Conforti Avenue, and third is in Caldwell at Roseland Ave.

I need to know what buses run through those towns(and how much is the bus to the City), how long is the commute to the City, and which one is better to live in as to the parks, quiet areas and are the most family friendly. Is there a way to find out prior property increases for these specific apartments?

I don’t have much time to decide and am a bit confused about the issues so please help me brainstorm!

Of the three towns, Caldwell wins hands-down IMO. The easiest commute from Caldwell to Manhattan is to drive to Willowbrook and take the park-and-ride bus. It's quicker than you'd expect -- Caldwell to Port Authority in about 45 minutes.

[Caro257]

I'm hearing some bad stuff about west orange and caldwell (gangs etc.)
I don't know how to react to it, is it true??????

[mumra]

If you have a child I wouldn't recommend West Orange not because of gangs but because you can choose a better school system for your child. Fact is every year West Orange drops in rank. Also you will hear people on here say its diverse blah blah blah. But note, it is diverse but its segregated diversity. Races tend to stay within their own. Within the past 10-15 years the demographics of the town has noticeably changed. What once was predominantly white school system has now shifted, whites are now the minority. Im not saying that’s good or bad just different.

Caldwell has gangs? Thats pretty unbelievable unless you consider a group of students driving BMW's a gang. West Essex High School host some really wealth kids.

[Caro257]

Originally Posted by mumra

If you have a child I wouldn't recommend West Orange not because of gangs but because you can choose a better school system for your child. Fact is every year West Orange drops in rank. Also you will hear people on here say its diverse blah blah blah. But note, it is diverse but its segregated diversity. Races tend to stay within their own. Within the past 10-15 years the demographics of the town has noticeably changed. What once was a predominantly a white school system has now shifted, whites are now the minority. Im not saying that’s good or bad just different.

Caldwell has gangs? Thats pretty unbelievable unless you consider a group of students driving BMW's a gang. West Essex High School host some really wealth kids.

Yeah, I didn't think it was that bad Thank you for the details. I lamost excluded Caldwell...so close

[EB2]

A tip, if you can: spend a day or two in each town, grab a snack or drink at a store, talk to people that look approachable (or the store clerks, even). I can't see any of those towns having gangs (or gangs that are too intimidating, anyway), unless maybe WO closer to the border of Orange. I've said this a hundred times, but I've gone for walks alone, at and after 11pm in West Orange (on the western portion of the town), and have never, EVER been bothered (I'm a 22 year old white female [that looks about 15/16], by the way). Not sure about the school system though.

Just check them all out. Or, look at the properties again. Anyone who really wants you to buy or rent will be more than willing to give you a 2nd walk through. Take piece of paper, make a list of pros/cons (of the apartment/house and the area), and repairs that may need to be done.

You might even be able to go to a police station and ask a clerk/secretary there on crime statistics (since they know more than a lot of websites), etc, if you're still concerned. You can ask on the area as a whole, as well as the area you're looking into renting/buying.

Good luck!