Quiet neighborhood in NJ? (Jersey City, Plainfield: buying a house, buying, living in) - New Jersey - City-Data Forum

BuffaloJerseyGirl · 03-06-2012, 05:42 PM

So, this topic might be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but here goes.
My husband and I having been living in NJ for about 1 1/2 years now. We rented in Piscataway for about a year before buying a house on Oak Tree Ave in South Plainfield last August (right before Hurricane Irene blew through). The house has everything we want but we later realized that our road is fairly busy and too close to the train tracks. I have been able to deal with this and can tune out the noise but my husband, unfortunately, has not.
So, I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations of places to live that are quieter than where we are now, but still within a reasonablee commute to Jersey City (where my husband works). Right now his commute is about 30-40 minutes, but he would be willing to bump that up to an hour, if necessary. The grand prize is a thumbs up to anyone who can help us out!

snuffybear · 03-06-2012, 06:25 PM

Somerset County: Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Watchung (these are probably 40-45min to Jersey City)

Morris County: Mendham, Chester, Morris Twp, Randolph

Hunterdon County: Whitehouse Station, REadington, Tewksbury

nybbler · 03-06-2012, 09:37 PM

Quiet depends a lot on very local conditions; obviously train towns are going to be generally noisy, but most towns will have noisy spots and quiet spots.

You want to avoid being on a busy road, but you also have to be aware that nearby highways can be noisy too, even if you can't see them. Terrain is your friend; a nice hill between you and the tracks or highway always helps. You also need to be aware of flight paths.

BuffaloJerseyGirl · 03-08-2012, 05:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestions...I'm curious to thoughts on Scotch Plains or Westfield? I teach in South Plainfield so I'm trying to stay close to my job (SO has a company vehicle and they pay for the gas so he can commute a bit farther, if needed). Watchung is a nice area but we've found that houses are hard to find there and they usually tend to be at the top of our budget or over.