Middlesex, NJ (Edison, Plainfield, Westfield: best towns, crime rates, house prices)

[Coach KT]

Hi, I could be coming over from the UK within the next few months to work in NJ as a soccer coach and likely to be based in or around Middlesex (town not county), NJ.

Can anyone tell me what it's like there in terms of:

Accomodation
Transportation / Commuting around the state
Crime Rates
Cost of Living

If the job goes okay, I may well be settling there and looking to bring my wife and family over from the UK to join me.

As such, I'd appreciate any information about the best towns in Middlesex County and also:

House Prices
Employment (for my wife)
School Districts (I have two daughters aged 7 and 16)

Thanks

[Sampy123]

Coach,
As a parent of three teens, two of whom play soccer in Middlesex County - about 10 minutes from the town of Middlesex, I can tell you a little bit about the area. Housing starts at about $350,000. A nice home in a good neighborhood will run you around $450g and up. You will definitely need a car to get around. As for the best towns in Middlesex county, all the surrounding towns such as Greenbrook, Boundbrook, North Edison, Westfield, Clark, Scotch Plains, Branchburg and Bridgewater are good places to start looking. Keep in mind that taxes in NJ are the highest in the country and this is also one of the most crowded counties in the country. The schools here are very good, but I'd stay away from Plainfield, where there is a higher crime rate. If you can afford to live here, it's a great place to raise a family. It's a half hour into Manhattan and a half hour to the beach. Lots of shopping and malls around. Hope this helps.

[christina0001]

What sort of work does your wife do?

[Coach KT]

Hi Christina0001,

My wife currently works in administration in the Social Services Dept of our Local Goverment Office here in Plymouth, UK. Prior to the birth of our 7 year old, she worked for 13 years for HSBC Bank.

I'm sure that she would settle nicely into any admin role in the US.

My other concern would be schooling for my daughter who will be 8 in December.

As for my eldest daughter; she is 16 and currently lives with my first wife. It's more than likely that she will remain in the UK to continue her High School studies before attending University, unless there are any notable Colleges in the states that specialisein her chosen profession of Sports Physiotherapy, and she could get a scholership of course.

In her recent GCSE examinations, out of 12 subjects she managed to get 7 A*'s, 4 A's and one B.

As stated previously, I will be looking to establish a position for myself initially, before relocating my family.

I personally do not have a college degree, but in terms of my soccer qualifications, I have a UEFA 'B' Coaching Licence and also the NSCAA National Diploma (with distinction), having previously worked in the US with MLS Camps.

Apart from the possibility of working in Middlesex, I shall also be looking for any freelance coaching work anywhere in NJ or Upstate NY, once I become settled.

Should any readers know of any clubs looking for good coaches from the UK then I'm all ears.