Help narrowing my search - Planned relocation (Trenton, Sayreville: apartment complexes, to rent) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

dorianwales · 02-22-2010, 03:19 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm planned on relocating to the US at a half year's time. Needless to say we (my wife and I) are completley unfamiliar with NJ which will probably be the area we will focus on in our search for a home.

We are a family of three with my wife planned on working in north philadelphia and I, myself, would like to have the option to commute to Manhattan. We have a budget of $2,000-$2,200 a month for a 2, preferably 3 bedroom home (appartment/house).

We are city folk but wouldn't mind living in the suberbs pending a good transit to Manhattan (by rail I assume).

I've tried identifying areas on the map and reading in this very helpful forum but would appreiciate some initial thoughts and recommendations on where we should focus on. I had considered something in the vicinity of Trenton/ Princeton perhaps, trying to keep the commute to north philadelphia at 45 min. or so by car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards and many thanks,

Viralmd · 02-22-2010, 03:21 PM

A 45 minute commute to Philadelphia would give you a relatively long commute to NYC. Princeton is about an hour from Philadelphia and 1h 20m from NYC (by car).

dorianwales · 02-22-2010, 03:35 PM

and should consider focusing my job hunt on Philadelphia as well.

Isn't there a train available from these areas to NYC which, perhaps, shortens the commute?

Viralmd · 02-22-2010, 04:25 PM

There ARE trains. But parking at train stations is an issue. Like at Princeton Junction, where the waiting list for a parking permit is several YEARS long.

dorianwales · 02-22-2010, 04:29 PM

Assuming Philadelphia is the anchor.

GoPhils · 02-22-2010, 07:57 PM

Mt. Laurel?

ieee488 · 02-23-2010, 08:01 AM

You are moving here without either you having a job?

I don't know who is going to rent to you without some proof of employment. The major apartment complexes aren't.

dorianwales · 02-23-2010, 11:18 AM

I, myself, am a Big 4 accountant and would hopefuly find something rather quick. We will be renting our home in Israel so we should be ok with the rent and securities required.

I'll lookup mt. laurel. as GoPhils suggested.

Thanks again

wannaliveinOK · 04-11-2010, 10:31 PM

dorianwales, Hi. You might want to look at Monroe county. Jamesburg ( fairly large city w/ quiet a few mexicans) might be cheaper on taxes than the neighbouring boroughs. I used to live in Sayreville and there's a train directly to NYC from South Amboy (only 8 min. drive to station) and there might be also a ferry service to downtown Manhattan from Lawrence Harbor( please check on that) Sayreville would be a good 2-2.5 hours drive for your wife to Philly. Jamesburg would be much closer for her, but there's no good bus/train service from Jamesburg- Philly. The other unfortunate thing about NJ is sky rocketing taxes and you have to pay double income taxes in NY/Nj adn PA/NJ . If you do end up living in NJ , make sure that the state you work in does take those taxes out. The other option you might want to consider which many of us former Jersans and Yokers have done, is live in Pennsylvania and commute.Rent ( if that's what you're looking for ) is cheaper and if you commute you might save some money/ time and aggravation. Your better half would still have to drive and it's a bit more difficult to hop on the Penna Pike from the Poconos than from Jamesburg(NJ). I hope you find the best solution for you and your family, but if I could do over again, I would not buy anything in NJ or in PA!! Just rent....this way if poopy hits the fan, you don't have to worry about selling. You can pack and go. Oh, one more thing. I found that in NJ most of your utilities are included and in PA it is not. Plus, you can get anything anytime in NJ. Good Luck!!!

ieee488 · 04-13-2010, 05:30 AM

Jamesburg gives you best bang for the bucks and puts you about equidistance between northern Philadelphia and NYC. However the school district is apparently just so-so. And the commute will be by car to northern Philadelphia and there is a park and ride for bus service near exit 8A to NYC.

I was looking around at apartments in the West Windsor area and one of them offers a free shuttle to the Princeton Junction train station. That complex called the Mews at Princeton Junction is quite pricey but would still be in your price range. The school district in West Windsor is highly regarded. You might want to look into renting a townhouse which would give you more room.