Alternative train parking in New Providence and Berkeley Heights? Or what towns don't have a 3+ year waiting list??? (Elizabeth: buying a house, neighborhood)

[emily31]

My husband and I are looking into New Providence and Berkeley Heights as potential towns to move to in the near future, but we both need to commute to NYC. As with most towns in NJ, we are aware that there are multiple year waiting lists for parking in the train lot in these two communities. Thus we are wondering if anyone knows of any alternative parking near the train station in these towns? (e.g., parking in other lots or on nearby streets - legally, of course). I've heard about alternative parking lots in Fanwood (for $3.25/day), Summit (for $9/day!), and Cranford. Also, people apparently park on side streets about 10 minutes from the Westfield train for free.

On another note, what NJ towns DON'T have a 3+ year waiting list to park in the train parking lot?!? I think I'll move there!

Any info is greatly appreciated!!!

[Onizuka]

I've heard that Convent Station (the next stop after Madison) does not have parking problems as the other towns along the Midtown Direct line.

Have you considered just buying a house that is within walking distance of the train station?

[mead]

Thats probably because there isn't really a town around Convent Station. Its mainly St. Elizabeth's High School/College/Convent.

I'm guessing the Metropark station doesn't have a parking problem because of all of those parking garages, but if you're looking at New Providence and Berkely Heights I doubt you would be interested in the Edison area.

Alternatively, why dont' you consider purchasing something in a town that is within a 10 minute walk of the train station?

With most couples that I have seen, usually one will drive the other to the train station in the morning and pick them up in the evening in order to get around the parking situation. Obviously this won't work if both are going into the city.

[lammius]

Yeah the best advice is to buy a house within walking distance, OR in a community that has a reliable, frequent jitney service.

[madmoodawg]

Summit has parking garages downtown, and you might actually get lucky and get a metered spot. I live in Warren, and I drive to Harrison every day and take the PATH. Monthly parking there starts at $60 in some of the lots further away, up to over $160 across the street from the station. Street parking(plenty before 8am) is $4. But like everyone else suggests, walking distance to a station would be ideal. Those homes however, tend to go very fast due to that same fact.

[emily31]

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone! We are trying to ideally find something with a 10 minute walk to a train, but it can be difficult. I will check into these other towns.

Oh, I noticed that Metuchen is near Metropark - anyone know what the parking situation is like there?

Thanks again!

Emily

[lammius]

Metuchen is a nice town and Metropark has TONS of parking. It would probably be an easier place to get a permit. Getting to Metropark from Metuchen can be annoying with morning traffic on Route 27, though. If you live in Metuchen you can use the Metuchen Commuter Shuttle, which circles through the borough and drops you off at the Metuchen train station. I looked at the borough's webpage and there is no info on the shuttle, but there's a Metuchen Commuter Shuttle HOTLINE, (732) 632-8519.

[emily31]

Thanks for this info, lammius! I will definitely check into Metuchen.

Originally Posted by lammius

Metuchen is a nice town and Metropark has TONS of parking. It would probably be an easier place to get a permit. Getting to Metropark from Metuchen can be annoying with morning traffic on Route 27, though. If you live in Metuchen you can use the Metuchen Commuter Shuttle, which circles through the borough and drops you off at the Metuchen train station. I looked at the borough's webpage and there is no info on the shuttle, but there's a Metuchen Commuter Shuttle HOTLINE, (732) 632-8519.

[TomWaits]

Your post made me laugh... I lived for 10 years in Westfield by an overflow parking lot. Since it was easier than parking by my building, I wanted to park in the lot but was told that there was a 6 year wait. I never bothered to put my name on the list because I figured I'd be gone by then...

The thing that bothered me was that there were always TONS of parking spaces available. I think that there are several people who have permits who don't actually use them.

[Jennyv]

Have you thought about Springfield? The northern-most section of town is very accessible to the Short Hills train station, as well as downtown Short Hills. We looked at a home in Springfield on Short Hills Ave., for example, and it was exactly .5 miles to the train station (too busy a street for us, but the general neighborhood looked promising). I don't know too much about the town of Springfield itself, but the high school (Jonathan Dayton) is ranked #44(above Madison High School).

Good luck!