Where to live? Elementary Schools and Commuting (Teaneck, Fort Lee: apartment, rentals)

[hnonra]

Hi, Everybody!

We're about to move to the greater NYC area and now considering places to live. I've heard that northern NJ might be a good place for us considering our needs, and mainly public school system and commuting to northern Manhattan. Overall, price is, of course, an issue...

In more details:

1. We'll have 2 kids in elementary school next year, 3rd-grad and kindergarten, and we're looking for excellent public schools.

2. I'll commute to Columbia University - how is the commuting? Is it possible to do it without a car at all? (My wife will need a car, of course, and we don't want to hold 2 card.) I'd say that a commute of 45 minutes (overall) for one way is good with me (is it realistic?)

3. We'll live in an apartment, either 2/3 bedroom. I'll estimate a 2,200$ rental rate for an apartment.

Based on these parameters, which areas should I consider to relocate to?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Yours,
HA

[foodyum]

With a commute to Columbia your best bet is to be able to walk to a bus that goes to the gwb station and then take the subway down. Tenafly has the best schools in your radius and you can rent a small house on a busier street, which will be near a bus stop, for that budget. Other towns to consider, with lesser rated schools are Cresskill, Leonia, Teaneck, Edgewater and Fort Lee. Alpine and engle wood cliffs are good commutes but with limited rentals. Further north or south or west would take you out of your commute time.

[hnonra]

Thanks for that! I'll explore these recommended places.