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My partner and I are on the verge of bidding on a place in Glen Ridge. However it is on the very edge of GR and just about in East Orange, which is staring to concern me. I want to feel reasonably safe in my future home and don't want to worry about getting mugged on my way back from the train! Does anyone who lives on this south end of Glen Ridge have any advice? Beyond the property crimes is it reasonably safe?
Thanks to both of you! Also--I would assume that the GR police have an active presence in the area--would you say this is the case? During our house hunting I have seen many a cop cruising on Ridgewood.
Glen Ridge as a whole is a v nice town and generally an expensive one, so the more "affordable" areas do border questionable areas. How safe you feel near that border is probably a personal choice. I have seen listings one block over and personally do not like the proximity to EO/Orange. It's part of the dilemma of searching in Essex Co.
Besides the effect on property values (the only houses in Glen Ridge that seem to linger on the market are those right in the East Orange border) you have little to worry about. Home break ins, which is the only real danger anywhere in Glen Ridge, seem to happen more often in wealthier parts of town, believe it or not.
That being said, Midland and Hawthorne, being main streets into East Orange, seem to have more trouble than others. The Glen Ridge police keep a detailed blotter online - do a google search of the street to see if anything exciting has happened recently.
Still, anywhere in Glen Ridge, north or south, I'd invest in an alarm system - property crime in the town, per capita, is amongst the highest in the state. The police are rock stars in town, but you can't be too safe considering that almost the entire town is bordered by less than ideal neigjnorhoods . Besides, nothing beats the charm of the gas lamps!
Lived in Glen Ridge since 1987, sold my first home and purchased a second home on Ridgewood Avenue. This is a pro-active community in which the police department keeps a really tight, watchful eye over everything. People here watch out for each other and there is very little, nearly absent serious crime. Have walked the town on summer evenings and never worried about getting mugged. The houses on the south end near East Orange typically sell very quickly because they are reasonably priced for middle class families who move here for the top rated schools. There was even a fixer upper that was vacant. It was immediately picked up by an investor, fixed up and sold quickly. Also on the south end, there is a really beautiful park surrounded by homes. The park has a ball field where many team games take place and is a beautiful area with a lot of town and sports activities that occur there.
Just as a point of reference, when you cross the border into East Orange, the houses suddenly don't turn into tenements. They are small, well kept suburban homes with people that care about their property. (For several blocks, it still looks like Glen Ridge, minus the gas lamps of course)
There is nothing to fear about moving into this section of town. Many people move up to a larger home after buying there.
Happy House Hunting.
Lived in Glen Ridge since 1987, sold my first home and purchased a second home on Ridgewood Avenue. This is a pro-active community in which the police department keeps a really tight, watchful eye over everything. People here watch out for each other and there is very little, nearly absent serious crime. Have walked the town on summer evenings and never worried about getting mugged. The houses on the south end near East Orange typically sell very quickly because they are reasonably priced for middle class families who move here for the top rated schools. There was even a fixer upper that was vacant. It was immediately picked up by an investor, fixed up and sold quickly. Also on the south end, there is a really beautiful park surrounded by homes. The park has a ball field where many team games take place and is a beautiful area with a lot of town and sports activities that occur there.
Just as a point of reference, when you cross the border into East Orange, the houses suddenly don't turn into tenements. They are small, well kept suburban homes with people that care about their property. (For several blocks, it still looks like Glen Ridge, minus the gas lamps of course)
There is nothing to fear about moving into this section of town. Many people move up to a larger home after buying there.
Happy House Hunting.
Ridgewood ave is probably a nicer street. On Midland Ave., the drop-off is dramatic once you cross over into East Orange. I drive through there frequently.
Violent crime? You should be fine. Don't leave your back door unlocked or a bike sitting around. That's a long walk from the train- take the Jitney.
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