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Where are you coming from? Renting with roommates in Morristown, NJ
Why are you moving? Recently engaged, my fiance and I are thinking about where we want to start our family. We've also just now saved up enough for our wedding + a home down payment.
Where will you be working?
Basking Ridge, NJ (but from home through 2021 due to COVID). Fiance to graduate law school in 2021. Likely will work in North or Central Jersey (only applying to places within 1-1.5 hrs to NYC)
Will you buy or rent?
Looking to buy, may rent and save for a "forever home"
What is your budget?
$375K
What kind of place are you looking for?
Small home (3 br 2 ba) on a ~7500 sq ft lot in a residential area that we can grow into with a new family. Has to be in a residential neighborhood with other families. Not looking for a big fixer-upper, but we're willing to take on a house requiring some updates. Needs to have a garage.
Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you?
Fiance will move in in 1 year when we get married. God willing, kids should come 3-5 years down the line.
Do you need/want good public schools?
Yes, for the resale value and as an option for our kids. We're Catholic and are thinking of sending our kids to Catholic grade school and high school.
Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in (examples: families with young children, young, mature, artsy, diverse, safe, close-knit, block parties, etc)
Young professionals, family-oriented, safe, residential community, sport leagues, mix of professionals and blue-collar workers. I have an ivy league degree and my fiance's a lawyer, but we both grew up in blue-collar neighborhoods - we'd love to have down-to-earth but also intelligent neighbors. Nightlife nearby a plus but not a necessity. Ideal location has other young people but the stability of a location with more established families.
List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family-oriented, easy parking, short commute, etc)
community-oriented, large 25-35 year old population, proximity to entertainment (local downtown, access to NYC, etc.)
Based on your budget of 375K, a small, new construction/updated home in a great public schools is not really possible unless you opt for a townhouse. Try looking at bridgewater?
Based on your budget of 375K, a small, new construction/updated home in a great public schools is not really possible unless you opt for a townhouse. Try looking at bridgewater?
OP did not mention new construction and said she would be willing to do some updates.
-Both are about 25-30 minutes away from Basking Ridge (without traffic)
-Both have good schools, yet more down-to-earth with a mix of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds
-Denville itself has a downtown and is 20 minutes away from Morristown (nightlife). Randolph has no downtown and is a little more exurban. Some nearby towns with downtowns include Denville, Dover (10 minutes) and Morristown (15-20 minutes)
-Denville has two train stations that lead to the city. Randolph does not, however some nearby train stations include Dover, Denville and Mount Arlington (depending on what part of town you live in).
-While they will be at the lower end of the spectrum and not too many to choose from, you can still find homes in your price range that have what you’re looking for in both towns.
Denville - it has mix of people of all ages. It basically has everything you listed out here and is a hidden gem. Look at the lake communities.
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