Rutherford vs. Hasbrouck Heights (Lodi, Caldwell: transplants, houses, to buy)

[cmcfarland]

We are looking to buy a house in the $500K - $600K range that is easily commutable to Midtown, Manhattan. We are considering Rutherford and Hasbrouck Heights along with a few that are a bit further out. Can anyone comment on differences between them, and reasons for or against each? Do both include people of diverse political perspectives (hint, we lean a bit to the right)? Do both have a fair number of NJ / New York area transplants, like ourselves? Also, how do the downtowns compare?

Thanks!

Cindy

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by cmcfarland

We are looking to buy a house in the $500K - $600K range that is easily commutable to Midtown, Manhattan. We are considering Rutherford and Hasbrouck Heights along with a few that are a bit further out. Can anyone comment on differences between them, and reasons for or against each? Do both include people of diverse political perspectives (hint, we lean a bit to the right)? Do both have a fair number of NJ / New York area transplants, like ourselves? Also, how do the downtowns compare?

Thanks!

Cindy

They are very similar and are so close to each other there's hardly a difference. Rutherford is considered to be "nicer" and has a nicer downtown with some good dining. Hasbrouck Heights is probably just as good when it comes to living in a home in a residential area, however.

[zhelder]

If the politics are important to you, I would think Rutherford leans to the left quite a bit more than Hasbrouck Heights.

The towns are not far apart on the socioeconomic scale, but Rutherford is a little wealthier and has a little better reputation, with better schools. It will be more expensive than HH as well.

[icibiu]

To me the biggest difference between these two towns is that the homes in rutherford tend to be older and have a lot of charm (think unique floor plans and wrap around porches) and in HH they tend to be a little newer (circa 1950's, more cape cods, ranches etc.) niether of these are a bad thing it just depends what floats your boat as far as the general scenery. You'll find both types of houses in both towns though.

I've never actually been to HH downtown, I don't know that there is one? But Rutherford's downtown is very cute. If you like to work out HH has a brand new 24 Hour Fitness which is AWESOME. But both towns are so close to each other you can easily access the amenities from either.

The commute from HH is only a smidge longer than rutherford...

Its a real toss up with these two, I'd look at houses in both and decide based on the actual house, both are great towns.

[tommyc_37]

Rutherford is definitely a tad bit nicer. Houses have more charm, more tree-lined streets. As somebody else mentioned, Hasbrouck Heights has more of those smallish Capes. I may be mistaken, but I don't think the schools are that phenomenal in either town (for NJ, which has high standards).

[Amazonas]

Hasbrouck Heights...Lodi and towns nearby are just plain ugly. With that kind of money, I would definitely look for something in Essex County, like the Caldwells, Roseland, or Glen Ridge

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by Amazonas

Hasbrouck Heights...Lodi and towns nearby are just plain ugly. With that kind of money, I would definitely look for something in Essex County, like the Caldwells, Roseland, or Glen Ridge

I kind of agree. If you can stick to the $600k range, you can get into much nicer towns.

[hitmantb]

Roseland/Caldwell have terrible commutes compared to Rutherford/Hasbrouck.

Glen Ridge is like, 2x in property taxes, and it is surrounded by questionable areas.

When you are trying to keep door-to-door under 1 hour and over 1000 in SAT scores (that makes the school at least tier 2), not a lot of choices.

[JerseyGirl08]

I like Rutherford a gret deal more than HH. It has a a nice downtown with great stores and restaurants and a train to NYC also. The schools are good and the people are down to earth and friendly and many work in NYC.

[Amazonas]

Originally Posted by hitmantb

Roseland/Caldwell have terrible commutes compared to Rutherford/Hasbrouck.

Glen Ridge is like, 2x in property taxes, and it is surrounded by questionable areas.

When you are trying to keep door-to-door under 1 hour and over 1000 in SAT scores (that makes the school at least tier 2), not a lot of choices.

The commute issue is relative. I find the commute from any point of North Jersey to Manhattan as good.

In regards of property taxes, with the exception of Glen Ridge, towns like the Caldwells and Roseland are not far away from Hasbrouck Heights tax levels. In addition, if the OP is able to afford a $600K home, I don't see average property taxes in the range of 10K as a problem.


Hasbrouck Heights$5,325$5,379$5,760$6,107$6,647$7,008$7,775$8,257

Roseland$5,334$5,581$5,438$5,758$5,794$6,294$6,569$7,237

Caldwell$5,819$5,996$6,315$6,541$6,937$8,112$8,753$9,120


As far as the school district, you not only look at the SAT scores. I factor in elements such as drop out rates, extra curricular activities, attendance rate, post graduation plans, advance placement results, among other things... all info can be found here. And clearly the towns I mentioned previously are way better than Hasbrouck Heights and adjacent towns.

New Jersey Department of Education


The rankings are placing Hasbrouck in the 82nd position; whereas Caldwell is placing in the 48th and 57th place.

New Jersey Department of Education