Short Hills vs Summit vs Westfield

[Gup]

We can potentially afford a new/newish home in WF, but not in SH, where we would have to get something older that needs updates i.e. baths and/or kitchen. So torn!

[sonofagunk]

Originally Posted by G1..

I know they have thought of leaving Essex county and becoming part of Union county.

Would never happen because it would require State approval and if SH left Essex, the state would have to bail out Newark even more. I wish they would just form a new county (even less likely) and built it on the concept that the county government has very little control.

[vision33r]

When you have a baby stop listening to real estate agents. Rent places that have good PreK and easy access to mass transit and nearby middle class folks. Living in well to do areas is the biggest headache to get things done. everything cost an arm and leg because those towns all want $. Ever notice why good areas have the worst roads and they don't get plowed during snow days? Because it's too hard to find cheap help in those areas. Folks in these towns have to pay for private snow plows. same as schools, you don't have full day PreK and daycares are super pricey.

Rent somewhere and buy when your kids are at least 10 yrs old.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by G1..

I know they have thought of leaving Essex county and becoming part of Union county.

Today, I dont think that would help. Millburn has a lower effective tax rate than every town in Union county.

The only thing that is going to bring their property taxes down, is if their property values crash. Which, I dont think they want.

Here is the official NJ Division of taxation page. You can look up the effective property tax rate for any town you want. https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/tax.../taxrate.shtml