Please Advise-first time home buyers seek easy commute to Newark (Jersey City: condo, high schools)

[Newbie78]

My husband and I are looking for our first home in New Jersey as we are about to start our family. He works in Newark and would like a fairly easy commute using mass transit. We would very much like to be near great schools and transportation. Unfortunately, we cannot go over $320,000. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[BobKovacs]

I'd look in Woodbridge or Iselin near the train stations- $320k will buy you a decent starter home there, with decent schools and a roughly 30-40 minute commute via train.

[pathfinda94]

Commuting to Newark from where? Specifics pls!

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by pathfinda94

Commuting to Newark from where? Specifics pls!

Ummm....that's what they're asking for help with- finding a good location to commute from.

[CaptainNJ]

Originally Posted by pathfinda94

Commuting to Newark from where? Specifics pls!

thats pretty funny

better to have to commute to newark than nyc. not good for the health though.

[HalfFull]

Originally Posted by Newbie78

My husband and I are looking for our first home in New Jersey as we are about to start our family. He works in Newark and would like a fairly easy commute using mass transit. We would very much like to be near great schools and transportation. Unfortunately, we cannot go over $320,000. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Where in Newark? Some train lines run through Newark Penn Station, while others only run through Broad Street Station (north side of the city)

[SweepTheLeg]

EDIT: Disregard below, you said access via Mass Transit, although the bus station in Cranbury is right near Plainsboro.

You didn't say if you were looking for a *house* or a condo/townhouse.

If you're willing to go townhouse, that opens up Plainsboro for you.

To be honest, I wouldn't be that worried about schools right now if you're looking for a starter home. You needn't worry about them for another seven years if you're just starting a family now.

[Newbie78]

Thank you all for your help, to answer one question--husband works near Penn Station. As far as that last question, we would definitely prefer a house to a condo/townhouse. Regarding schools, I'm a teacher and would like to know that there is a decent high school nearby to go back to work once my own children are school age. Ugh, I certainly hope we do not have to move again after only 6 years--would like to avoid that!

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by ukhawaja

Newbie78,

I'd say why not Jersey City.

Because the schools aren't very good

[AnnaIb]

Hi,

Here is a list of Top New Jersey High Schools by NJ Monthly.

Top New Jersey High Schools 2008 -- njmonthly.com - The Best of Jersey

320 can go far, but you need to look into resale value. You dont want to buy somewhere and have to take a hit because you can not sell it. Its all about Location, Location, Location.