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My wife and I are considering a move from NYC to to NJ to get some more space, raise a family, etc. My wife's major preference is somewhere that is walking distance to a decent Main St./ Downtown area. Then we have the other normal parameters such as price (400-500 ish), NYC commute, taxes, etc.
I will list some places we are considering in the hopes that someone may have an additional suggestion or two of similar places that we are not currently looking into.
Red Bank - Love it but seems like a tough commute.
Summit, Millburn, Westfield - Really nice but prices are pretty much out of our range.
Madison- Nice Main St area, but seems like a ghost town. Plus pricey, high taxes...
South Orange- great commute but seems to be surrounded by REALLY bad areas.
Montclair - lot of traffic, high taxes (?)
Morristown?
I know this is vague, but if anyone had any recommendations that might be similar to the towns above, it would be GREATLY appreciated. (Any color on the towns listed would also be appreciated). Thanks.
I have never seen Madison as a "ghost town." What time were you there at...middle of the night? I can never find parking when I go in the day.
Not a cheap town either but consider Ridgewood.
If you are going to be starting a family consider school districts now...you don't want to have to move again in 5 or so years. That (in my mind) should eliminate some towns from your list right now.
My wife and I are considering a move from NYC to to NJ to get some more space, raise a family, etc. My wife's major preference is somewhere that is walking distance to a decent Main St./ Downtown area. Then we have the other normal parameters such as price (400-500 ish), NYC commute, taxes, etc.
I will list some places we are considering in the hopes that someone may have an additional suggestion or two of similar places that we are not currently looking into.
Red Bank - Love it but seems like a tough commute.
Summit, Millburn, Westfield - Really nice but prices are pretty much out of our range.
Madison- Nice Main St area, but seems like a ghost town. Plus pricey, high taxes...
South Orange- great commute but seems to be surrounded by REALLY bad areas.
Montclair - lot of traffic, high taxes (?)
Morristown?
I know this is vague, but if anyone had any recommendations that might be similar to the towns above, it would be GREATLY appreciated. (Any color on the towns listed would also be appreciated). Thanks.
Why do you feel Red Bank is a hard commute, a train station in town, next to GSP, ferries to NYC not far. Where do you work?
You have a good handle on a lot of those towns. As you know, the biggest problem you are going to have is your budget, which is on the low side if you want a single family house.
Someone mentioned Ridgewood, which has a lovely downtown. I would also put Ramsey in there, although it is a bit smaller of a Main Street, it is still very cute.
Wow... thanks all for your helpful responses. This was my first ever post. So far, so good.
Just want to reply to a couple of queries/ statments:
@ UKOK- I just feel like nobody is ever walking on Madison Main St. Does not seem to be a lot of foot traffic, which in my opinion makes it.... less "lively". Referring to the daytime mostly. Maybe just bad luck on the few times I have been there.
@durkinjt- I work in flatiron area in Manhattan. I could actually take the train and walk from Penn. Is definitely "do-able" but seems like a lone train ride (1hr 15 or longer?)... so were looking at 3+ hours each day on the commute.
@luckyshoes- We are definitely on the low end price. That makes the search much more challenging! We will definitely be making sacrifices as far as finding our "perfect" place. Two years ago.... the 400 to 500 range for what I am asking would have been laughable!!
My wife and I are considering a move from NYC to to NJ to get some more space, raise a family, etc. My wife's major preference is somewhere that is walking distance to a decent Main St./ Downtown area. Then we have the other normal parameters such as price (400-500 ish), NYC commute, taxes, etc.
I will list some places we are considering in the hopes that someone may have an additional suggestion or two of similar places that we are not currently looking into.
Red Bank - Love it but seems like a tough commute.
Summit, Millburn, Westfield - Really nice but prices are pretty much out of our range.
Madison- Nice Main St area, but seems like a ghost town. Plus pricey, high taxes...
South Orange- great commute but seems to be surrounded by REALLY bad areas.
Montclair - lot of traffic, high taxes (?)
Morristown?
I know this is vague, but if anyone had any recommendations that might be similar to the towns above, it would be GREATLY appreciated. (Any color on the towns listed would also be appreciated). Thanks.
Don't agree with "lot of traffic" in Montclair. Taxes in South Orange are pretty high too.
Not sure why you're concerned about the areas that border South Orange. If you want a good commute to NYC, you will not be too far from some rough areas, but crime tends to be constrained by geographic boundaries. Take a look at a crime rate (or homicide maps for Essex county) if you're skeptical.
South Orange itself doesn't have terribly high crime (not as low as Summit, Millburn and Westfield, but then you can't afford those towns ... ?)
Only on Bloomfield Ave really... I can't stand Bloomfield Ave! Not only is there too much traffic, but its too narrow, and those "Yield To Pedestrian" signs are constantly getting clipped by side mirrors, knocking them into traffic making them unavoidable. I can't drive from Caldwell through Montclair without passing atleast 2 little "side swiping" accidents. Those things needed to be weighted down more or something.
there are houses in your price range in Westfield, they may not be big and they will need work, but they are there,you may need to be patient. the town is totally worth a smaller house for me...especially if you have kids.
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