Relocating to New Jersey (Union, Hoboken: buy, school districts, property tax) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

help1234 · 05-13-2010, 09:35 AM

wow! well right now I dont want to go beyond 45 mins to 1 hour...i guess i better get used to long commutes and expensive houses

tommyc_37 · 05-13-2010, 09:49 AM

help1234, the NYC area is unlike almost every other metropolitan area in the sense that outside of city limits, there is quite a bit of "urban sprawl". The easiest way for me to describe this is that you don't hit "true" suburbs until you travel about 15 miles outside of Manhattan. So to get the good schools and leafy suburbs, you'll have a bit of a commute. Also, unlike Michigan, public transportation is a must, as driving into the city is a real hassle.

Now -- there are some GREAT urban areas in NJ that have an ideal commute to Manhattan. Cities such as Hoboken and Jersey City. I live in Downtown Jersey City in a great historic district, with views of NYC and Statue of Liberty, and my commute to Manhattan is only 12 minutes! But, you have to ask yourself, do you want to live in a city environment? Think brownstones, skyscrapers, corner stores, bars on the corner, occasional car break-ins -- stuff that city life offers?

If NOT, then you'll want to consider a leafy NJ suburb. You should start with towns such as Cranford and Westfield. The commute via bus, from Cranford is about 40 minutes (if you leave at let's say, 7:00 am). It's not a bad commute at all, and Cranford has excellent schools, and a great community. Westfield -- same thing, only a bit more pricey. I think Cranford should be your starting point, honestly.

FYI the bus from Cranford will put you at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, very close to Times Square.

rq007 · 05-13-2010, 09:56 AM

Can I ask why you are choosing to move to NJ and not NY? I am only asking because there are just as many places in NY as well. I think NJ might be cheaper to live per se, but you will spend more $ on the commute.

Want a nice and up and coming area in NY, try looking up Astoria, Queens.

help1234 · 05-13-2010, 10:27 AM

I understand that NY taxes are higher than NJ and also just based on the information I have, the apartments are more spacious in NJ. Can anyone tell about apartments near Union station also? I saw that the commute to Penn station is only 30min. Anything..?

tommyc_37 · 05-13-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by help1234

I understand that NY taxes are higher than NJ and also just based on the information I have, the apartments are more spacious in NJ. Can anyone tell about apartments near Union station also? I saw that the commute to Penn station is only 30min. Anything..?

Seriously, look at Cranford. Head and shoulders above Union. Same commute time.

help1234 · 05-13-2010, 11:29 AM

I just saw the map, is it the same cranford west of Newark, if it just 40mins to NY by bus?

tommyc_37 · 05-13-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by help1234

I just saw the map, is it the same cranford west of Newark, if it just 40mins to NY by bus?

Yes it's about 5 miles southwest of Newark.

help1234 · 05-13-2010, 12:40 PM

Is it only 40 mins bus route? I thought Newwark was atleast 1 hr....

subban · 05-13-2010, 12:47 PM

It all depends on traffic, could be anywhere from 40-1hr 10min.

Ninasimonejr · 05-13-2010, 01:23 PM

It really depends on which is most important to you -- short commute (and more time with family) or longer commute for a prettier area with a nice downtown.

My husband commutes to midtown daily and loves Weehawken because it's so close and commutable. I'm not so crazy about it because there's no downtown and I find Union City (the next town over) depressing. We're trying to decide whether to go or stay, but there are a lot of young families here who seem pretty contented. (We're in the Bluffs section.) I think it's a good place to start. Feel free to PM me if you want more info about the town.