Nutley for an expanding family?? (Newark, Irvington: houses, school, living in)

[leo06]

I am house hunting and trying to weigh all of my options before I commit to a home. I am looking to spend 275,000 to 375,000 on a 3 preferably 4 bedroom house and I am looking for a good school system that is diverse as I do not want my children to be the only African Americans in their class. What is your take on Nutley?? Thanks for your assistance.

[Bluderby]

Not familiar with Nutley but South Orange may be a good bet.

[lammius]

Nutley isn't the most diverse place in the world, but your kids wouldn't be the only AfrAm kids in class either. You'll find a home in your budget but it'll probably be older and in need of some cosmetic updates. South Orange is nice but the nicer parts of SO are far beyond your budget, and folks on city-data often warn against living in the parts close to Newark and Irvington, where there are some homes in your budget.

[John_Adam]

South Orange can be a good option but most houses in South Orange are older homes.

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

How is the commute from Nutley to NYC financial district? Are there buses that go straight to downtown? What is the name of the bus service? Would like to check the schedules.

Also why are the homes there relatively inexpensive (ie row houses selling for <500k)? Is it just because there is no train stop?