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Looking to live in NJ to commute to a new position 2 blocks from Time Square (hurray!)
I have elementary kids.
What are my options in terms of good schools and a 60-75 minute commute?
I have seriously considered Bergen county suburbs close to NY like Lyndhurst Carlstadt North Arlington, (East) Rutherford, Passaic, Fort Lee, Nutley, Kearny, Cliffside , Lodi, Clifton, Paterson, Hackensack- are there others ? Any advice on these suburbs I mention in regards to schools and commute?
I have also considered Bayside and Flsushing in Queens (because of the school ranking - greatschools.org). But it's further than above mention suburbs but the public transport with the subway is cheap and convenient
I prefer a more suburban feel - closer to the Hudson becomes quite high density, and further closer to Newark crime seems to increase.
Wayne NJ is an option but the commute costs if I take express buses appears to be expensive $16 return as opposed to a 2.75 or $3 bus fare when closer to the Hudson (see https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763… ) OR am i wrong ?
Some friends recommend zone 1 or zone 2 buses in NJ (but i couldn't find a map of the bus zones_ can someone recommend me a good link ?
Also are there monthly tickets for NJ transit ? including for express buses ? trains seem to be more expensive as well. Except the Path network near Newark (which i guess is light rail). But that area appear to be high density and closer to higher 'crime rates' ( i see these crime rates from zillow types apps). Maybe I can drive to a station and park ( and free street parking is another question then- OR not)
I appreciate there is no perfect solution but any advice helps. The main factors are schools and 60-75 min commute, of course travel cost will be a factor. (And i didn't bring up rental properties which is another issue)
Any and all advice appreciated! Indebted for sound advice....
Looking to live in NJ to commute to a new position 2 blocks from Time Square (hurray!)
I have elementary kids.
What are my options in terms of good schools and a 60-75 minute commute?
I have seriously considered Bergen county suburbs close to NY like Lyndhurst Carlstadt North Arlington, (East) Rutherford, Passaic, Fort Lee, Nutley, Kearny, Cliffside , Lodi, Clifton, Paterson, Hackensack- are there others ? Any advice on these suburbs I mention in regards to schools and commute?
I have also considered Bayside and Flsushing in Queens (because of the school ranking - greatschools.org). But it's further than above mention suburbs but the public transport with the subway is cheap and convenient
I prefer a more suburban feel - closer to the Hudson becomes quite high density, and further closer to Newark crime seems to increase.
Wayne NJ is an option but the commute costs if I take express buses appears to be expensive $16 return as opposed to a 2.75 or $3 bus fare when closer to the Hudson (see https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763… ) OR am i wrong ?
Some friends recommend zone 1 or zone 2 buses in NJ (but i couldn't find a map of the bus zones_ can someone recommend me a good link ?
Also are there monthly tickets for NJ transit ? including for express buses ? trains seem to be more expensive as well. Except the Path network near Newark (which i guess is light rail). But that area appear to be high density and closer to higher 'crime rates' ( i see these crime rates from zillow types apps). Maybe I can drive to a station and park ( and free street parking is another question then- OR not)
I appreciate there is no perfect solution but any advice helps. The main factors are schools and 60-75 min commute, of course travel cost will be a factor. (And i didn't bring up rental properties which is another issue)
Any and all advice appreciated! Indebted for sound advice....
How did you pick those towns? With the exceptions of Fort Lee and Nutley, none of those districts have good schools. Well, Lyndhurst and North Arlington might have “OK” schools. And Paterson, a suburb?!? It’s NJ’s 3rd largest city, and definitely NOT suburban. Passaic, while much smaller, is also urban.
Better choices could be provided if you provide a budget, but check out Fair Lawn or Rutherford (NOT East Rutherford, there’s a big difference). Both have train stations, good schools, and, by insane Bergen County standards, anyway, are moderately priced. Nutley isn’t a bad choice either, but I’d put both Fair Lawn and Rutherford a step higher.
If you’re a zillionaire, you could check out Ridgewood, Glen Rock, or Montclair.
maximum budget is 2400, maybe 2500. for a 3 bedroom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zhelder
How did you pick those towns? With the exceptions of Fort Lee and Nutley, none of those districts have good schools. Well, Lyndhurst and North Arlington might have “OK” schools. And Paterson, a suburb?!? It’s NJ’s 3rd largest city, and definitely NOT suburban. Passaic, while much smaller, is also urban.
Better choices could be provided if you provide a budget, but check out Fair Lawn or Rutherford (NOT East Rutherford, there’s a big difference). Both have train stations, good schools, and, by insane Bergen County standards, anyway, are moderately priced. Nutley isn’t a bad choice either, but I’d put both Fair Lawn and Rutherford a step higher.
If you’re a zillionaire, you could check out Ridgewood, Glen Rock, or Montclair.
I grew up in Kearny, which is in Hudson County, not Bergen. And the schools back then were among the highest rated. But that was in the 60s. Drove around town for my 50th HS reunion last year and it's still a nice looking suburban town. I'd have to agree with zhelder on Rutherford and Fairlawn being your best of all the towns you've named. There aren't a whole lot of 3 bedrooms for rent right now in Kearny - just looked on one of those rental sites - they are advertised for ~$2K. 2nd or 3rd story. The biggest problem I see you're going to have is finding a 3 bedroom in Rutherford or Fairlawn at all. I didn't see a single 3 bedroom listed and the ones in neighboring towns are showing high $3000. If you're going to look at Kearny (there's a direct bus on Belleville Pike going to Manhattan) consider the elementary school - for me it'd be Roosevelt hands down. There's nothing specifically wrong with the others, just a personal preference.
maximum budget is 2400, maybe 2500. for a 3 bedroom.
Ah... there’s the rub...
Your budget is simply too low for what you want. The best you’re going to do on that budget is likely North Arlington or Lyndhurst, and maybe, as a very long shot, Nutley. That budget likely has to get bumped up to $3,000ish for Fair Lawn or Rutherford. Zillionaire towns are out of the question.
My advice is to negotiate for a higher salary or a housing allowance. What you want is not at all doable. Very very few towns are within 1 hour commute with very good schools and they are much more expensive. In addition, commuting costs are pricey.
And not just to be picky, but since you're going to be working near there, it is Times Square, with an S.
I see the omission of the S quite frequently, and it's perplexing, because it's named after the NYC newspaper New York Times, which used to be headquartered there. I thought that was common knowledge. But people don't seem to know that and appear to think it has something to do with a clock.
maximum budget is 2400, maybe 2500. for a 3 bedroom.
if that is your maximum budget than you arent really in a position to live in nj and commute to nyc. you are better off just living in brooklyn and accepting your fate.
if that is your maximum budget than you arent really in a position to live in nj and commute to nyc. you are better off just living in brooklyn and accepting your fate.
Probably nothing for that price in Brooklyn these days, either.
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