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My gf and I are interested in a 3br condo/townhome somewhere between Somerset and Montgomery/Belle Mead. We are young and won't be having kids in the near future (think, 8-10 year investment before we need to "upgrade").
We found a new construction development called Cedar Manor, located right at the Easton Ave exit off 287, more specifically the "Corner of Pierce St & Cedar Grove Ln". The townhomes are absolutely beautiful and the specific area seems on the up and up. New shoprite and starbucks along with 20+ shops are right in the immediate area.
I am quite aware that Somerset has mostly terrible schools,and while I don't plan on staying in this home long enough to have kids who require elementary school, it IS a concern for resell (or is it?). My other immediate concern is that, while new, this development is 80% 2br condo RENTALS. Not sure what the developer was thinking doing a hybrid development with both homeowners and rentals, but it is what it is. Since prices start at $1,800 to rent - I figure the clientelle won't be too awful. Will this negatively affect our ability to sell this unit in the future? There are roughly 25 townhomes and 50 condos in this development. It is not a huge place.
Does anyone have any knowledge of the town itself, more importantly the specific area surrounding Pierce Street?
Any pointers are appreciated. Alternative suggestions for a 10-15 year old 3br townhouse community also welcomed!
Somerset has terrible schools? Are you talking about Somerset the town or Somerset County schools? Somerset the town is very spread out. I would not personally live in Somerset, but the area (not sure if its still Somerset at that point) in which you are talking about is fine.
Don't live further down Easton off of Hamilton Blvd.. that part of Somerset is not so nice. Everyone has their own opinions, but my boyfriend lived off of Hamilton Blvd, and it was not a great area.
However, again, Cedar Grove Ln is a perfectly fine area. My brother/sister-in-law used to live down that way, closer to Society Hill area, and liked it. There are townhomes there in Society Hill that might suit you (my brother is actually selling his but only a 2 bedroom. Completely redone though if anyone is interested ) There are parts of Franklin that are not great, but you are far enough away from it that it should not be an issue. Cedar Grove is also pretty convenient to 287 (either Easton or Weston Canal if you want to travel a little further).
I cannot comment on resell since I do not own a home.
Sorry I cannot help you with all of your questions, but I saw you were awaiting a response, and I know the area in the sense I can tell you it's safe and pretty quiet. Just beware of Easton Avenue if you are trying to travel towards 287 or opposite way to 18 - congested! Where are you going to be working? My brother worked in parsippany and had an hour commute.
Veeracs, we spent a good weekend driving around the area around Cedar Manor, and while the area is certainly safe with many new stores and restaurants being opened near the new ShopRite, I can't justify spending $315-$349,000 on a townhome in an 80% rental community - it just spookes me. I even got over the whole "not so great schools" stigma, which obviously is a reason for the initial discount on any home in the area. While the models were absolutely beautiful, again, 80% rentals.....YIKES. Even at $1,800+ for a 2 bedroom apartment, I just don't like it....there is no accountability amongst renters. And no offense to anyone who rents, I understand this is a huge generalization by me, but I don't think any homeowner would appreciate being surrounded by people who have relatively no financial stake in the neighborhood. Its asking for trouble. So we are looking elsewhere..Maybe Franklin Park
Veeracs, we spent a good weekend driving around the area around Cedar Manor, and while the area is certainly safe with many new stores and restaurants being opened near the new ShopRite, I can't justify spending $315-$349,000 on a townhome in an 80% rental community - it just spookes me. I even got over the whole "not so great schools" stigma, which obviously is a reason for the initial discount on any home in the area. While the models were absolutely beautiful, again, 80% rentals.....YIKES. Even at $1,800+ for a 2 bedroom apartment, I just don't like it....there is no accountability amongst renters. And no offense to anyone who rents, I understand this is a huge generalization by me, but I don't think any homeowner would appreciate being surrounded by people who have relatively no financial stake in the neighborhood. Its asking for trouble. So we are looking elsewhere..Maybe Franklin Park
Franklin Park "IS" part of Franklin township.. Somerset & Franklin Park composes Franklin Township I live at Quailbrook & work by Atrium Drive, I see these townhomes everyday and think that it is a great investment-- my in law works at the marriot just around world's fair dr and they are always full so in the long run if you wish to move to a new place, that townhome would be very easy to rent. There's a lot of businesses/offices around that area that would be walking distance from Cedar Manor.
Franklin Park "IS" part of Franklin township.. Somerset & Franklin Park composes Franklin Township I live at Quailbrook & work by Atrium Drive, I see these townhomes everyday and think that it is a great investment-- my in law works at the marriot just around world's fair dr and they are always full so in the long run if you wish to move to a new place, that townhome would be very easy to rent. There's a lot of businesses/offices around that area that would be walking distance from Cedar Manor.
I checked these out in Mid May. They were running 315k-375k with nice finishes. About 46 townhomes or so. We didnt pull the trigger as we really wanted single family. We stopped in again a month later in mid June, they had raised the prices by about 15k and had more than half sold. Recently inquired again, 1 left. Who says we are in a recession/down housing market???
I checked these out in Mid May. They were running 315k-375k with nice finishes. About 46 townhomes or so. We didnt pull the trigger as we really wanted single family. We stopped in again a month later in mid June, they had raised the prices by about 15k and had more than half sold. Recently inquired again, 1 left. Who says we are in a recession/down housing market???
wow, just stumbled back onto this original post. I can't believe they've sold all of these but 1. That's truly amazing. Like I said, they WERE beautiful on the inside....But I had too many negatives personally (tiny un-fenced back yards too...I've got 2 dogs that would be disappointed).
I have lived in Somerset since 1996 and enjoy living here. We moved here because we wanted a diverse community for our children to grow up in. The schools are not terrible, the elementary schools have a 4-5 star rating from GreatSchool.org, the high school has a bad rep but many kids (Black, white, Asian) flourished there, with many Honors and AP courses to choose from. You are a young couple so you have plenty of time to worry about the schools. There are several Catholic schools and Rutgers Prep is close by as alternatives to public school. I agree there are certain areas that are less desirable, as with many communities but all in all, its a nice place to live. We have never had a problem with crime, and I often have left my car unlocked..not smart regardless of where you live. As a young couple, its a great place to live! So close to New Brunswick with its great restaurants and night life, as well as being close to the train station. We lived in West Windsor, NJ, Lake Forest, Ill, Manhattan, and Bryn Mawr, PA. We were fortunate to have lived in great neighborhoods but out of those places we enjoy the diversity and community of Somerset the best. We found a place where we actually feel like we belonged.
For a young couple with no kids on the immediate horizon, Franklin Twp is a great choice. That's what we were, when we moved here and I think we saved some money, compared to say, Edison. NYC commute was important for us and it is a big plus to have New Brunswick close by with trains, restaurants, hospitals. There are tons of townhomes in the area to choose from. Lots of walking and biking trails, it's a very pleasant, green area to live in and everything you need is close by. But now that we have a child, we are looking to move out - for better schools, and larger living space.
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Cedar Manor
) There are parts of Franklin that are not great, but you are far enough away from it that it should not be an issue. Cedar Grove is also pretty convenient to 287 (either Easton or Weston Canal if you want to travel a little further).
