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06-18-2010, 02:09 PM
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5 posts, read 22,339 times
Reputation: 11
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Having moved from California early this month, We are looking to buy really in central NJ. The towns we like very much are Westfield, Millburn we also like Scotch plains and cranford as they are so close to Westfield (we loved the live and active feeling that we got in Westfield!)... we have kids, so school district is important and we have a modest budget nowhere in the 700-800Kssss... are we being un realistic????
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06-18-2010, 02:39 PM
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Location: Midwest transplant
2,050 posts, read 5,668,130 times
Reputation: 1619
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I would think so. Best school district of those mentioned is Millburn, but real estate is pricey. Scotch Plains and Cranford school districts are more middle of the road (for NJ) but still good districts. Not sure how large your "central" Jersey area is, but Plainsboro, West Windsor and Princeton also have good schools and lots of recreational and cultural opportunities as well~and a little more rural atmosphere.
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06-18-2010, 04:07 PM
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425 posts, read 2,854,307 times
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While we were looking, our budget was also the same. I found it's harder to get something decent in Westfield, Summit and Catham. Don't even mention Millburn. Therefore, we mainly focus on New Providence and Berkeley Heights.
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06-19-2010, 12:19 AM
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Location: North Brunswick
877 posts, read 2,721,774 times
Reputation: 197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by menaka_15
Having moved from California early this month, We are looking to buy really in central NJ. The towns we like very much are Westfield, Millburn we also like Scotch plains and cranford as they are so close to Westfield (we loved the live and active feeling that we got in Westfield!)... we have kids, so school district is important and we have a modest budget nowhere in the 700-800Kssss... are we being un realistic????
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First of all, let me say that it kinda blows my mind that you want to move to New Jersey from California. The weather out there is unbeatable. You'll hate the winters here. I finally made it out to Los Angeles last year and that weather is truly unbeatable  85 and zero humidity. I used to like change in seasons, not anymore.
Anyhow, I may be in the minority, but you can probably find something decent in southern Middlesex County, depending on your commute and where you will be working. If you are interested in North Brunswick we could swap residences.  |
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06-19-2010, 08:01 PM
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Location: NJ
12,285 posts, read 34,505,400 times
Reputation: 5298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whoelsebutcharles
First of all, let me say that it kinda blows my mind that you want to move to New Jersey from California. The weather out there is unbeatable. You'll hate the winters here. I finally made it out to Los Angeles last year and that weather is truly unbeatable 85 and zero humidity. I used to like change in seasons, not anymore.
Anyhow, I may be in the minority, but you can probably find something decent in southern Middlesex County, depending on your commute and where you will be working. If you are interested in North Brunswick we could swap residences.
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not a pick a nit - but california weather is not homogenous. for all you know OP lived in death valley |
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06-19-2010, 08:34 PM
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Location: Ashburn, VA
467 posts, read 1,476,966 times
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A lot of this depends on exactly what you are looking for, and if you are willing to take a fixer-upper. First, Westfield and Millburn are probably out. You can certainly find something in Cranford, and that is a nice place. Here's what you'll need to watch out for - property taxes, which might be more than you are used to.
Cranford, BTW, just ranked very high on the (somewhat questionable) Newsweek High school rankings.
In Westfield itself - you can find something in your price range if you are willing to take a house with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths.
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06-22-2010, 09:44 AM
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Location: Manhattan
60 posts, read 149,099 times
Reputation: 27
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It'll help to know where you are working, or where you are looking to work. Central NJ covers a large part of NJ... from parts of Mercer (like another poster mentioned - Plainsboro, Princeton, even Pennington & Hopewell), Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, and Union.
Somerset County is also in Central Jersey. Basking Ridge's and Bernards' high schools rank very high in the top high schools list. If you are okay with a ranch/older home or perhaps town home, I would recommend Northern Somerset County without a doubt. Basking Ridge/Bernards/Bedminster are gorgeous towns. You can probably find something a little newer in Bridgewater, which is also a very family-oriented area.
From Bridgewater, Westfield is about 20 min. Westfield is a straight shot down 22E from Somerset County, so it's still convenient if you like to go to Westfield. In Somerset County, you have downtown Somerville - NOT the same as Westfield, I know, but it still mimics the downtown feeling with great restaurants, little stores, etc.
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06-23-2010, 12:58 PM
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Location: North Brunswick
877 posts, read 2,721,774 times
Reputation: 197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sungerle
It'll help to know where you are working, or where you are looking to work. Central NJ covers a large part of NJ... from parts of Mercer (like another poster mentioned - Plainsboro, Princeton, even Pennington & Hopewell), Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, and Union.
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Plainsboro is in Middlesex County.
I'm kinda surprised they consider Somerset central NJ and not north. Union is north, my uncle lives in Scotch Plains and calls it north Jersey, not central. |
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