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Hello All,
we've been renting in West Caldwell for over 6 years now, really would like to buy but need to stay under 400, preferably closer to 350. Is it possible for a 3 bed 1.5 bath home even? Should we look in the neighboring towns? We have an almost 4th grader and a little one in preschool, also are a multiracial family (yes, the lack of diversity has bothered me here a bit...). Husband needs to commute to NYC, usually via 280 to Harrison and Path. I stay home with kids for now. Any advice? thanks
Have you tried West Orange? The town is very diverse.
A house on my corner just sold for around 375k. You should be able to find something in your budget.
I'll second West Orange. My idiot neighbors are trying to get 520+ but that ain't happening, and there are plenty of less expensive houses. We've got diversity AND I-280.
Thanks all, was thinking if WO (the zoo!). Not sure of their school system, the older one is getting IEP, younger as well for now but probably won't for much longer the way things are looking... How are school in comparison to the Caldwells (Caldwell and West Caldwell, North is an entirely different story... TIA!
I'll second West Orange. My idiot neighbors are trying to get 520+ but that ain't happening, and there are plenty of less expensive houses. We've got diversity AND I-280.
West Orange has brutally oppressive property taxes. I would not recommend buying there unless you enjoy giving your money away in large quantities on a monthly basis to local government.
West Orange has brutally oppressive property taxes. I would not recommend buying there unless you enjoy giving your money away in large quantities on a monthly basis to local government.
All of Essex County does. There are tons of great towns there that are very much right up my alley, but I could never justify buying there because of the millage rates. It’s really unfortunate. Morris looks so much better. Union County doesn’t seem so bad relatively speaking either.
West Orange has brutally oppressive property taxes. I would not recommend buying there unless you enjoy giving your money away in large quantities on a monthly basis to local government.
Do people generally think in these terms when shopping for a home or are they more concerned with overall cost?
We did. We could have bought a home in Glen Ridge but we couldn't have afforded to pay the taxes there every year, the monthly adder to the overall mortgage payment was part of that overall cost.
I know someone that moved from Essex County to Morris County. The price of the house is the same and their taxes in Morris County are 2k less per year. The bad news is they now added 30 minutes each way to their daily commute sitting in traffic along I-80. So, like everything else in life, it's a matter of give and take and you need to decide what is more important to you. For me personally, I'd pay the higher taxes to avoid the longer commute.
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