Looking to buy in Central NJ - 2013 (Edison, New Brunswick: short sale, foreclosure)

[mnaman]

Where are you coming from?
Somerset, NJ

Why are you moving?
First time homebuyer, moving out from Parents house.

Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC?
Working in Matawan, NJ. NYC may be possible in the future (but isn't a priority).

Will you buy or rent?
Buy

What is your budget ?
Currently set at a max of ~240k.

What kind of place are you looking for ?
Single family or townhouse, no condos (i.e. I don't want people above or below me).

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ?
Just me.

Do you need/want good public schools?
I don't care about school system, but the place would need to be resell-able.

Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in
(examples: families with young children, young, mature, artsy, diverse, safe, close-knit, block parties, etc)
Safe, within ~20 mins of driving to go to mall or whatever. Well-maintained neighborhood.

List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, short commute, etc)
Safety, charming, within 25 or so minutes of Matawan (exit 120 on parkway).


Looked at North Tinton Falls (seemed like a bad area to me), part of shrewsbury.
Also looking at Woodbridge, Edison, Fords.

What are the good areas? What is the best I could get with that money? Should I wait until I can get more (may be getting a promotion soon)?

[NJDude92]

Bridgewater would probably be best commuting to NYC. Or East Brunswick as plan B.

[Woodie54]

Now you do have a bigger problem,Flooding,make sure you are not buying in a flood zone!

[mnaman]

Originally Posted by Woodie54

Now you do have a bigger problem,Flooding,make sure you are not buying in a flood zone!

Do you know what areas near Woodbridge would be susceptible to flooding?

[camaro69]

Originally Posted by NJDude92

Bridgewater would probably be best commuting to NYC. Or East Brunswick as plan B.

Matawan to Bridgewater via 287 is not a good commute.

[HubCityMadMan]

Did I miss why you would not consider Matawan? It seems to have all the things you are looking for, and it will be near where you work, which is really the most important thing for you right now. It is safe, the schools are good and you are close to the Parkway and Rt 35.

[teachbeach]

Matawan itself would be my first suggestion and then branch out from there. If NYC is in the future job location possibility you'd want to stay in that proximity. Other "good" communities are Hazlet, Holmdel ($$) and even the eastern part of Old Bridge Township. If you are in a position to by a short sale, sheriff sale, or a foreclosure home you may be able to get something for less than current selling price, assuring that you won't lose your investment if the market doesn't pick up over the next several years.

[mnaman]

Originally Posted by HubCityMadMan

Did I miss why you would not consider Matawan? It seems to have all the things you are looking for, and it will be near where you work, which is really the most important thing for you right now. It is safe, the schools are good and you are close to the Parkway and Rt 35.

Where in Matawan? I looked on the main road (well, only about 2 places) and they both weren't that good (there was an abandoned house on the corner too). Maybe I just picked a wrong spot?

[OysterCatcher]

Aberdeen is the best part of Matawan

[HubCityMadMan]

Aberdeen and Matawan are actually separate entities, but yeah usually they are considered the same community since they share almost everything. The areas around Rt 34, Lloyd Rd, New Brunswick Ave are totally fine.