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I normally just lurk in this forum and don't post much, but now I am in need of some assistance....
I would like to move from Queens to NJ. I am looking to purchase a co-op/condo. Budget is roughly $300k - $350k maximum.
I looked in Secaucus at a few Harmon Cove units, but the maintenance is quite high there, so that definitely lowers my buying power.
Any nice and safe areas with a quick and easy commute to midtown west side?
Lastly, I currently do not own a car and would prefer not to have to get one immediately, so I'd prefer areas that you can walk to shopping and restaurants. That's another reason why Harmon Cove didn't fit too well, since there's no major supermarket within walking distance.
Some affordable coops and condos in Montclair but the monthly is high. Nice 2BR walk to everything in doorman building $325k, but looking at 8500 in taxes and 675/mn common charge.
Not sure how close a super market is, but there is Target somewhere in the area (haven't driven through area in years, so just going by memory).
Probably a lot cheaper than Montclair, but Montclair probably has a lot more stuff within easy walking distance.
http://www.zipcar.com can work out well for someone who only infrequently needs a car, but don't see many cars in upper NJ (seem mainly closer to NYC).
Last edited by mshan242709; 04-27-2011 at 08:45 PM..
I have no idea (I would assume an hour or more till proven otherwise) because if it was a truly quick and easy commute into NYC, home and condo prices in that area would most likely be much higher than they are.
It is an area I researched several years ago when my sister was buying a condo, but her primary commute was to UMDNJ in Newark, NJ, so her priorities were different than yours.
If you're commuting into the city, and prefer not to have/use a car, why come to Jersey? Without a car your quality of living will go down. If you do break down and get one, the cost of living compared to the less fashionable parts of Brooklyn/Queens isn't that much hugely cheaper (keep in mind that for non-rich people, NJ property taxes are far worse than NYC income tax), unless you're specifically looking for a larger house/apartment or better schools.
Why you're looking to move would inform where you should consider moving to, and whether you should move at all.
Decamp has a bus from Nutley (#32) which claims to take 40-50min. Goes to Port Authority.
I agree with the above posters; if you don't want a car you're probably better off where you are. The places in NJ you can comfortably get by without a car are either way out of your range or highly undesirable.
To be honest, my current commute is an hour each way. So, I started looking in uptown NYC to be closer to work, but everything that I liked was out of price range.
So, I thought going just over the water into NJ would be a possible option and would still provide a better commute. But, you're right, the car thing does make it tough.
What towns in NJ close to NYC can you get by without a car? Perhaps it's worth investigating those, but as you mentioned nybbler, those may still end up out of my price range.
You might want to consider Morristown. It's a bit farther than some of the other towns recommended but has a great downtown including a very active arts center - Mayo Arts - right in town. There's also a multiplex movie theater in town, lots of great restaurants and an active bar scene on South Street. There are two supermarkets in town, one on the eastern end, the other on the western end, although one is Kings, which is expensive for everyday shopping. It's probably about an hour into Penn Station on the express trains, longer when the express isn't running. However, taxes are high (mine are over 9K) and my condo fees are $400. a month.
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