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Hello! My husband and I are relocating to northern New Jersey this fall. We are very focused on buying a home in a too notch school system but are unfamiliar with the area.
I have done my research and have narrowed it down to three towns, with a focus on two. North Caldwell, Kinnelon and Wayne.
Now, we don't need to live in north caldwell specifically because I think it's a tritown, correct? So we could live in Fairfield and still access the west Essex school system?
But how does it compare with kinnelon schools?
Those towns would be a stretch financially but we could sacrifice. We can afford wayne a little more easily, but I wasn't as impressed with their schools, at least when compared to west Essex and kinnelon.
We are moving from eastern MA, from a school system that has rated in the top 90s with regards for math and reading testing. This system also has stellar academic help, social support, fabulous music and arts programs and small class sizes, so I'm a bit picky.
i don't think you could go wrong with either town. not sure what about wayne was not impressive? but you do have some flood concerns in parts of wayne. wayne is a gorgeous town though. i'd consider any of the 3.
The only thing about Wayne that I was concerned about it the fact that their schools didn't do as well in the standardized testing, and after speaking with the principal, support For the arts and academic support wasn't really there, or as strong. But again, I'm not familiar with the areas so...
I don't know enough about it to comment on arts or academic support. But you should probably try speaking to some parents in the town (hopefully some are on here). i wouldn't focus too much on the standardized testing. this is a hot topic on this board but coming from a "lesser state" in education, I can assure you, even the average NJ districts are very good schools compared to most of the country. You're coming from a state with excellent schools as well, so You could probably understand that you're fairly ok in many districts, not just the "top" ones.
is there anything else besides schools that matters.
All those towns are drastically different.
Kinnelon is right outside the "suburban" areas of New Jersey so you are going to have beautiful woods and trees and green all around you. there are also lakes for swimming. The smoke rise section is just filthy rich big houses. There is no town center and no towns close by with a town center. you have route 23 and the willowbrook mall for shopping. It's more rural than suburbia.
Wayne alwasy reminds me of a typical suburban town that is like strip mall focused. There is also no town center. It's not as woodsy as kinnelon. It's like the last town before you exit "suburbia" If Kinnelon is right outside of suburbia than Wayne is very much suburbia.
North Caldwell is right outside the "train towns" of NJ that have traditional downtowns with trains to the city. It is Suburbia like Wayne except nicer and you are closer to the city and some of those trains to the city.
Thank you! That's perfect. Honestly, yes the schools are most important to us, however, my personal preference is to find an area that's similar to the small town I grew up in up here.
I guess, then, if I'm looking for a small town north caldwell is my best bet. Too bad I can only afford a hut there...hopefully something comes up.
A small downtown would be nice, but not necessary. I think I might be too picky for my own good. But where I grew up the town mandates a lot size of at minimum 3/4 of an acre, with most homes living on one full acre. But it's nice that the homes are not spread out where you can't see your neighbors, it's just that you have some nice space between houses.
I also like the small town events, like town fairs, festivals, parades, etc. which is what I'm used to.
We are going down next weekend to drive around the areas, and this feedback is helping me narrow our search. I'm seriously going a bit crazy trying to figure out.
What drew me to Wayne was the lake activities, but. Guess kinnelon has them too?
Verona, West Caldwell, Oakland and Roseland are also very wonderful towns that fit your criteria. You could get a bit more house than in North Caldwell, which is quite affluent and high-priced. Parts of Kinnelon are very upscale homes and parts are up-graded old summer homes.....very mixed bag. The best parts of Wayne include Packanack Lake.....so pretty and very family-oriented....and Pines Lake, too, but that lake area is quite pricey.
You should check out Montville on your way to Kinnelon too. Very good schools, some bigger lot sizes than Wayne, and easy access to lots of activities.
You should check out Montville on your way to Kinnelon too. Very good schools, some bigger lot sizes than Wayne, and easy access to lots of activities.
And home of two of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, too!
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