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I think you may need to re assess the towns you are considering if you are using the commute times given on googlemaps. Those times are notoriously off base as to be laughable. A good rule of thumb is to double the time estimate given on googlemaps. I note that one poster suggested Spring Ridge townhomes in Basking Ridge, and while that is a nice community you should be aware of two things...the monthly maintenance fee is rather high and will be in addition to your mortgage/taxes so your possible 350k purchase price may have to be reduced accordingly. Secondly the commute from that town home community to Whippany will be well over you desired 30 min commute, more like 50/60 min during normal rush hours. It may be worth the longer commute as the schools are top notch.
Ich hoffe, das hilft
KoalaNJ
As much I normally agree with Koala, I tend to disagree on this one. My husband commuted to Morristown (just one exit before the Whippany exit) for years from Basking Ridge, during rush hour, and it took him 15 minutes up 287. It shouldn't take 50/60 minutes.
Also, the condo's in Spring Ridge are in the mid $200's for a 2 bedroom, so the HOA's, although high as Koala mentioned, added to the mortgage and taxes should still keep you within budget.
As much I normally agree with Koala, I tend to disagree on this one. My husband commuted to Morristown (just one exit before the Whippany exit) for years from Basking Ridge, during rush hour, and it took him 15 minutes up 287. It shouldn't take 50/60 minutes.
Also, the condo's in Spring Ridge are in the mid $200's for a 2 bedroom, so the HOA's, although high as Koala mentioned, added to the mortgage and taxes should still keep you within budget.
A lot depends on where within Whippany the OP's workplace is- I have a friend who lives in Spring Ridge and works by the intersection of Rte 10 and Ridgedale Ave who says their commute is in the 50/60 min range, depending on exactly when they travel. 287 Backs up terribly in Morristown and through the exchanges for rte 24 and rte 10. Rte 10 is always a slow go, and if you try to avoid it by exiting and taking Whippany Road, you also hit traffic, but a little less esp if there is an accident on 10. Some of the time delay is due to the current construction on 287, but that has been ongoing for quite some time, and does not look to finish anytime soon.
Towns that are on your list that will be a much longer commute than your desired 30 min are, Denville, Fairfield, Montville, Millburn, N Caldwell, Pequannock, Roseland, Rockaway, Springfield, Wharton, and Verona. Even if you are ammenable to the longer commute, I'd be extremely cautious about Denville, Pequannock, and parts of Fairfield and Roseland due to bad flooding issues.
Ich hoffe, das hilft
KoalaNJ
I disagree with a most of these too.
I have worked in the area for years. 287 South and 80 West are generally pretty good by NJ standards. I couldnt imagine it taking much more then 30 minutes from Verona, Montville, the Caldwells, Fairfield, etc.
You are generally on the right track. One thing to consider is property taxes are generally a bit lower in Morris County.
Last edited by GiantRutgersfan; 11-13-2013 at 03:58 PM..
I live near Spring Ridge, work in Parsippany a few miles past Whippany, and my rush hour commute takes 25-30 minutes (albeit slightly later than peak traffic times). Agree rt10 can be rough but the 287 holdup in Morristown is usually not bad. Anyway, i've lived in Whippany and think its a great fit for your criteria. $350k will get you a house that might need a bit more work than ideal, but in general prices/taxes are extremely reasonable there, moreso than almost any other nice town in the area. My bank account misses it!
Seriously, you guys are really offering some great insight into the intangible factors at play in our home search. Trying to conduct a preliminary housing search online, without any prior knowledge or experience of the area, is extremely difficult (and stressful).
I'm also finally able to correspond with the realtor they've assigned to us, and I'm getting a little overwhelmed with all of the bleeping factors we have to consider for every property. Flooding, septic and taxes are enough to drive any sane person to the edge!!!
I really appreciated the input about the schools in Parsipanny. I see a disconnect there between the Great Schools rating (6 of 10) and the ranking from NJ Monthly (23 of 328). How I wish our son was a baby again, just for the fact that the good high school factor is really important as he will be in HS next year.
Also, I read this article from NJ Today regarding the true cost of living in Morris County (http://njtoday.net/2013/05/09/study-...f-living-in-nj) Can anyone confirm that it really takes a minimum of $75,000 to avoid poverty in Morris County?
Again, you all have been wunderbar with your feedback and I appreciate it so very much!
Grüße aus Deutschland!
P.S. Also...I google mapped the commute to Whippany during rush hour (it shows a real-time drive time supposedly). Are these times moderately accurate?
The times are listed as follows 7 am / 8 am / Bus (if applicable)
Denville is just about what your looking for. A lot of these towns there is no way you will even get 7k taxes and much less a livable house for 350,000. Denville is doable w/ all that you want.
Seriously, you guys are really offering some great insight into the intangible factors at play in our home search. Trying to conduct a preliminary housing search online, without any prior knowledge or experience of the area, is extremely difficult (and stressful).
I'm also finally able to correspond with the realtor they've assigned to us, and I'm getting a little overwhelmed with all of the bleeping factors we have to consider for every property. Flooding, septic and taxes are enough to drive any sane person to the edge!!!
I really appreciated the input about the schools in Parsipanny. I see a disconnect there between the Great Schools rating (6 of 10) and the ranking from NJ Monthly (23 of 328). How I wish our son was a baby again, just for the fact that the good high school factor is really important as he will be in HS next year.
Again, you all have been wunderbar with your feedback and I appreciate it so very much!
Grüße aus Deutschland!
P.S. Also...I google mapped the commute to Whippany during rush hour (it shows a real-time drive time supposedly). Are these times moderately accurate?
The times are listed as follows 7 am / 8 am / Bus (if applicable)
I've commuted from Randolph and go by or through Whippany. Those times are reasonably close to my experience, but Randolph is pretty big and I'm coming from the far eastern side so it could easily be another 10 minutes from the western part of town (and also depending on location in Whippany).
Randolph is definitely going to be an area of focus for us based on the info you provided.
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