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So I have a job opportunity in Somerville, and I'd like to know where a single 30 year old woman could move to, and what to expect - below the answers to the sticky:
Where are you coming from? Puerto Rico Why are you moving? New Job Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC? Somerville, NJ
Will you buy or rent? I'd like to rent my first year while I sell my home in PR and get a feel for the area. What is your budget ? I'm clear rent is sky high in NJ (read: double my actual mortgage), so I need to keep it as far below $1500 as possible. What kind of place are you looking for ? My ideal would be a garden apartment in a walkable area where I can meet people. Looking for a 2/1 at minimum.
Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ? Just two kittens. Do you need/want good public schools? No schools required.
Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in Young, artsy, alive
List three things that are important to you in order of importance. Safety, urban/closeness to train stations, short commute
I can't see any reason to start your search outside of Somerville itself. It pretty much meets all of your requirements. However, finding a 2 bedroom in the area for under $1500 would be difficult, but you should have no trouble finding a 1 bedroom for that price.
It is as nice as you will get in the area. A 2/1 will be a struggle at your budget unless you share.
Prices are surprisingly high here for it being the middle of nowhere, probably due to the high property taxes.
Not to many young people here from what I have seen, but there is a train into NYC ($30 round trip).
Middle of nowhere, that's funny. I guess if you're from Manhattan, Somerville might be considered the middle of nowhere but to many NJ resident Somerset County and in particular Somerville is perfectly situated right in the middle of everything.
One hr to NYC, one hr to the Jersey Shore, one hr to the Pocono mtns. Perfect!
Middle of nowhere, that's funny. I guess if you're from Manhattan, Somerville might be considered the middle of nowhere but to many NJ resident Somerset County and in particular Somerville is perfectly situated right in the middle of everything.
One hr to NYC, one hr to the Jersey Shore, one hr to the Pocono mtns. Perfect!
...plus, it's a town that is on its way up, rather than on its way down!
The town's administration has been successful in promoting Somerville as an "arts town". In the process, a lot of younger folks have moved in--along with art galleries--and the town is a nighttime/weekend destination for people interested in culture and good restaurants.
The ugly and moribund shopping center of the '70s was torn down several years ago, and in its place are contemporary buildings that contain nice retail spaces on the street level, and luxury housing on the upper levels. The proximity of the NJ Transit RR station to the genuinely walkable downtown makes it a desirable location for people who want to commute into Newark or NYC, but who also want a less hectic environment, complete with some nice diversions.
Additionally, the presence of Duke Farms (with its miles of pristine walking/hiking/biking trails, an orchid greenhouse, abundant bird-watching opportunities, and free plots of land for those who wish to grow their own vegetables) only a couple of minutes away from downtown Somerville provides another attractive adjunct to life in that town.
...plus, it's a town that is on its way up, rather than on its way down!
The town's administration has been successful in promoting Somerville as an "arts town". In the process, a lot of younger folks have moved in--along with art galleries--and the town is a nighttime/weekend destination for people interested in culture and good restaurants.
The ugly and moribund shopping center of the '70s was torn down several years ago, and in its place are contemporary buildings that contain nice retail spaces on the street level, and luxury housing on the upper levels. The proximity of the NJ Transit RR station to the genuinely walkable downtown makes it a desirable location for people who want to commute into Newark or NYC, but who also want a less hectic environment, complete with some nice diversions.
Additionally, the presence of Duke Farms (with its miles of pristine walking/hiking/biking trails, an orchid greenhouse, abundant bird-watching opportunities, and free plots of land for those who wish to grow their own vegetables) only a couple of minutes away from downtown Somerville provides another attractive adjunct to life in that town.
Glad to hear Somerville is getting some love, always seemed a bit underrated to me.
It's also 45 minutes or less to Morristown, New Brunswick, Princeton, Lambertville/New Hope, and the Lehigh Valley. Lovely hills to the north and farm country to the west.
A recent NJ.com article highlighted additional development projects in Somerville.
All-in-all, the pace of new development projects, coupled with the migration of younger, artsy folks to the town, bodes well for Somerville's future.
Somerville is a good option however keep in mind that Downtown Somerville is dead after 12 30AM.
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