Walkable Towns for Young Families- Ridgewood? Montclair? (Hoboken, Westfield: 2014, condo)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Me: Working from home, 35, don't like to drive on a daily basis
Husband: Working in Park Ridge, 45, doesn't like to drive except for commuting to work and errands where it can't be avoided.
Baby: Coming August 2014
Looking for: Need a home for around 550,000 (or less) in a walkable town
We are relocating from Germany (but we are Americans). We are looking in Hoboken despite the commute time because we love the city feel- but we feel priced out. We are begrudgingly looking into other burbs.
We visited Montclair today, it was nice, but most of the houses we liked weren't really walkable to downtown, but it seemed to have everything one would need.
Looking on these boards, Ridgewood seems to be a popular choice when people ask similar questions- we will check it out tomorrow.
Anyone care to weigh in on this? Any other suggestions? We kinda see this house purchase as a starter home, so schools aren't really a huge concern for us right now.
The usual suspects will be Ridgewood, Montclair, Summit, Westfield, Cranford, Maplewood, and Millburn. With a budget of 550k, you can rule out Summit and Millburn. Youll find very slim pickings in Westfield and Ridgewood in that price range as well. That leaves Montclair, Cranford, and Maplewood. Montclair and Maplewood taxes are exorbitantly high for schools that are not exceptional. That's my perspective, but I'm sure there will be many others that can chine in with their opinions.
The usual suspects will be Ridgewood, Montclair, Summit, Westfield, Cranford, Maplewood, and Millburn. With a budget of 550k, you can rule out Summit and Millburn. Youll find very slim pickings in Westfield and Ridgewood in that price range as well. That leaves Montclair, Cranford, and Maplewood. Montclair and Maplewood taxes are exorbitantly high for schools that are not exceptional. That's my perspective, but I'm sure there will be many others that can chine in with their opinions.
I would not count out Millburn nor Summit, a quick search on Zillow shows there are currently six 3+bd single family homes on the market within the OP's Budget, and there were a few in Millburn as well. Yes, that is not a lot of inventory currently, but it is some homes to at least take a min to look at and consider, even if initially only online. I'd add Madison and Morristown to the short list of possibilities. They fit the OP's criteria as well.
I'd rule out Montclair simply due to the insane property taxes. (to the OP, please take a stiff drink before looking at those figures, you'll need it. You'll have to also lower your price range on the purchase price of the home too to afford the taxes - they are literally 2x that of other communities) Maplewood also has high taxes, though not as bad as Montclair. You'll find taxes much better in Morristown, Madison, Millburn, and Summit.
HTH
KoalaNJ
Last edited by KoalaNJ; 03-26-2014 at 02:32 PM..
Reason: correct typo
I would not count out Millburn nor Summit, a quick search on Zillow shows there are currently six 3+bd single family homes on the market within the OP's Budget, and there were a few in Millburn as well. Yes, that is not a lot of inventory currently, but it is some homes to at least take a min to look at and consider, even if initially only online. I'd add Madison and Morristown to the short list of possibilities. They fit the OP's criteria as well.
I'd rule out Montclair simply due to the insane property taxes. (to the OP, please take a stiff drink before looking at those figures, you'll need it. You'll have to also lower your price range on the purchase price of the home too to afford the taxes - they are literally 2x that of other communities) Maplewood also has high taxes, though not as bad as Montclair. You'll find taxes much better in Morristown, Madison, Millburn, and Summit.
I would not count out Millburn nor Summit, a quick search on Zillow shows there are currently six 3+bd single family homes on the market within the OP's Budget, and there were a few in Millburn as well. Yes, that is not a lot of inventory currently, but it is some homes to at least take a min to look at and consider, even if initially only online. I'd add Madison and Morristown to the short list of possibilities. They fit the OP's criteria as well.
I'd rule out Montclair simply due to the insane property taxes. (to the OP, please take a stiff drink before looking at those figures, you'll need it. You'll have to also lower your price range on the purchase price of the home too to afford the taxes - they are literally 2x that of other communities) Maplewood also has high taxes, though not as bad as Montclair. You'll find taxes much better in Morristown, Madison, Millburn, and Summit.
HTH
KoalaNJ
The houses in Millburn will either be in bad condition or on a very busy road. Forgot to include Madison in my list, but it absolutely deserves condition as the schools are excellent, taxes are reasonable, and the downtown is really nice. Morristown is a great downtown, but schools are hit or miss from what I hear,
Congrats on the baby =)
Are you looking for a single family home with a yard or is a condo/townhouse an option? Are you fine with 2 bedrooms or do you need at least 3? Something move-in ready or are you OK with something that needs work?
I think that Morristown is a great option. There are plenty of homes that are close to the center that are within your price range. In addition, the hospital in Morristown is a great one to have a baby in.
Montclair is very nice, but the taxes are absolutely insane. Really, anywhere in Essex County, you're going to get high taxes.
Honestly, ideal towns depend on the type of home you're looking for and the commute time you are aiming for.
who was not advocating the OP get hammered, (or remain hammered throughout the pregnancy) just recommending 1 stiff drink.
True. But you also have to look at the assessed value of the house, which has nothing to do with its price. Two similar properties in different towns could have very different assessed values.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.