Where should we be living? (Newark, Union: house, neighborhood, buy)

[punk2107]

Hi All,
We will be moving to NJ soon. I will be working at Newark Medical center. Things that I value the most: outstanding school district, easy commute, proximity to public parks in that order. Home budget: $650,000 maximum. Appreciate input on places to live. Thanks.

[hdavis44]

Try Livingston, Millburn, Cranford, and Westfield. Westfield and Millburn in particular will have the least house for the $, due to being the highest rated school districts, great downtowns, and great parks. Livingston and Cranford you can get a nicer house for $650k, and still be in an excellent district that is close to lots of the same things. This is keeping within 10mile or so commute, if you up the commute time then you can add alot more towns to the list - but you should find what you need in these 4.

[punk2107]

Thanks, great info. In terms of property taxes, can you please rank these places from highest to lowest.

[slope95]

hello- please fill out //www.city-data.com/forum/new-j...residents.html for more detail (copy and paste it to here and fill it out).

newark area towns have very high taxes. livingston, millburn, summit and chatham, for example, have great schools but high taxes.

[punk2107]

Where are you coming from?
Mid-west

Why are you moving?
Job

Where will you be working ?
Newark

Will you buy or rent?
Buy

What is your budget ?
$650000

What kind of place are you looking for ?
3-4 BR, 2bath

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ?
spouse and 2 kids

Do you need/want good public schools?
Absolutely, non-negotiable.

Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in
safe, close to all major amenities

List three things that are important to you in order of importance.
outstanding school district, easy commute, proximity to public parks in that order

[KoalaNJ]

Originally Posted by slope95

hello- please fill out //www.city-data.com/forum/new-j...residents.html for more detail (copy and paste it to here and fill it out).

newark area towns have very high taxes. livingston, millburn, summit and chatham, for example, have great schools but high taxes.

The above statement is not accurate.... the effective tax rates are as follows:

Livingston 2.139

Millburn 1.781

Summit 1.774

Chatham 1.604
Borough

Chatham 1.574
Twp

Data is from the NJ Dept of Taxation, NJ Division of Taxation - General Tax Rates by County and Municipality

Taxes are pretty low in the Chathams (for NJ that is) Taxes on a 650K home in the Chathams will be ~10/11k, depending on the lot size.

In general, towns in Essex and Bergen Counties with good schools have the highest tax rates. Union Co, is not much lower, and Morris Co will usually be the lowest. (of towns mentioned in this thread with good/great schools) Livingston and Millburn are Essex Co, Summit is Union Co, and the Chathams are Morris Co.

Since Westfield (Union Co) has also been mentioned, the effect tax rate is 2.036. Cranford, also Union Co, the rate is 2.191

Koala

[hdavis44]

Chatham and Madison are great great towns, but a bit more of a commute to Newark than the towns i mentioned originally, and up there with Millburn as the most expensive (least house for $). So yes the taxes might be slightly lower on a $650k house compared to Livingston or Westfield, but that house will also likely be smaller. Effective tax rates can sometimes be misleading, if you really want to understand the taxes just search for 600k-700k listings in all the towns and see what the taxes are (on a site like zillow, gsmls, etc).

[amazin09]

If you don't really need the NYC commute, then look for inbetween towns that are not on train line, you might get more house for the $$. So if say Morris county is ok distance wise, taxes are lower, so include Florham Park, East Hanover etc

[stradivarius]

I assume you're from out of town, but if you can, pick a few towns that appeal to you the most, spend a few hours in each of those towns, speak to the locals, and see what feels right. Any of the towns others mentioned above seem like good towns.

Good Luck!!

[punk2107]

Some more updates about the current situation. Wife will be working in Hackensack and I will be in Newark. The choices listed above will be too far from Hackensack. What will be some good areas to live in between Newark and Hackensack? thanks.