Want to leave Bergen County - but where should we go..? (Fair Lawn: home, public schools)

[TheGambler]

Originally Posted by gypsygreentea

Is this a year-round community or is it deserted in the winter?

Completely year-round. About 85,000 residents, two high schools.

There are a couple of neighborhoods in the barrier island section of the town (near Mantoloking, Lavalette) that still have seasonal residents, but that's only a tiny section of the town as a whole and even there, I don't know how many seasonal people are left anyway. Real estate prices are great all over. If you increase your budget a little bit you might be able to get on a lagoon or other waterfront lot somewhere, if you'd be interested in that.

[BPerone201]

Originally Posted by gypsygreentea

Just looked up Brick and was very encouraged by the prices of homes. Looks like it's right in our budget. Now, how are the public schools there? Any areas to avoid..? Thanks everyone, you are being helpful

Brick was named safest city in the nation
I suggested the area because there's a lot of Jews in the area (Lakewood) though there mainly Hassidic Jews. I don't know if that's what's you're looking for though.

If you don't mind me asking, what town in Bergen County are you coming from?

[BergenCountyJohnny]

If I were to leave Bergen County I'd go to either:
Monmouth (possibly eastern Middlesex county) if I needed to stay in North Jersey
OR
Atlantic County if I were to go to South Jersey, or closer to Philly in the Glassboro/Mullica Hill area. I'd also consider the areas around Fort Dix - Pemberton, New Egypt, etc.

I would even consider far west Jersey, near the Delaware river, but I would avoid like the plague any place closer than Mt. Olive/Budd Lake area and anyplace north of Edison.

[HalfFull]

Monmouth county was a good suggestion. Get a little more for your budget than areas further north.

[southbound_295]

Why don't you browse through the subforum & see if any of the places suit you. There is a large Jewish presence in Cherry Hill & Voorhees. There are other nice towns adjacent to them.

[gypsygreentea]

Thanks everyone. You are giving me very helpful advice. We are currently in Fair Lawn, which is nice, pretty laid back for Bergen County and safe, but way overpriced and just not working out for us. Not sure I know how to browse through the subforum. Sounds very high-tech..

We will definitely check out Monmouth County. How about Hunterdon - there may be some work opportunities for us near Flemington. Also, what are your thoughts about East Windsor / Hightstown area.

[TheGambler]

Originally Posted by gypsygreentea

Also, what are your thoughts about East Windsor / Hightstown area.

The Windsors are very, very nice, but very pricey. In a way, it's kind of like paying more than somewhere like Brick or southern Monmouth county, but tucked away out in western NJ with no close beach access. It's also a very ethnic area (Indian), and if you're not part of that clique, you (or more specifically, you kids) can feel left out - at least that's what my friend (half Catholic, half Jewish) from the area says.

While I generally like Mercer County and southern Middlesex County, I've always found it to be a sort of a boring area.

[xmonger]

Come on down to Monmouth County! My pick for you would be Marlboro. It's a great town/area with a strong Jewish community.

[gypsygreentea]

Awesome. Monmouth County is on the list. We might drive down to Brick and Marlboro tomorrow and see what they're all about... thanks for the advice

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by gypsygreentea

Awesome. Monmouth County is on the list. We might drive down to Brick and Marlboro tomorrow and see what they're all about... thanks for the advice

You're welcome.